Great Year Round Beverage Recipes & More! (Giveaway ends 7/17/12)

Many readers might recall that my family is planning on putting our condo on the market in hopes of selling it so we can buy a house. Four people in a one bedroom condo just doesn’t cut it anymore.

I have been dying to host parties and entertain guests in my home for many years. I dream of backyard barbecues, Thanksgiving dinner and guests around MY Christmas tree. It’s hard to do that in our condo (plus we’re not allowed barbecue here).

I have tons of books and article that I’ve saved over the years that pertain to entertaining including recipes, decorating ideas and more.

I thought I’d share some delicious sounding beverages recipes with my reader, compliments of Sweet’N Low, that you can serve to your guests whether it’s a backyard barbecue or an elegant dinner party. I find the recipe for “Fire and Ice” to be especially interesting. I can’t wait to try out the Spiced Cider Tea. I would never think to use peppercorns in tea.

Enjoy the recipes and check out the nice giveaway I have for you too!

Signature Sweet’N Low® Pink Lemonade

(Serves 1)

Strawberries give this summer favorite a natural blush.

• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 cup cold water
• 2 packets Sweet’N Low® granulated sugar substitute
• 1 cup frozen strawberries, defrosted
• 1 lemon slice, optional, for garnish
• 1 mint sprig, optional, for garnish

In a large measuring cup, combine the lemon juice and water. Add the Sweet’N Low, stirring until it dissolves.

Spoon 1 tablespoon of liquid from the defrosted strawberries into a tall glass. Fill the glass with ice. Pour in the lemon juice mixture. If desired, garnish with the lemon slice and mint sprig. Enjoy the strawberries or save them for another use.

Note: Defrosting frozen strawberries in the refrigerator takes 8 hours. Or defrost them at room temperature, about 1 hour. Defrosted berries keeps in the refrigerator for 2 days.

OR

Lemonade to serve 4

• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen strawberries, defrosted
• 1 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 cup cold water
• 8 packets Sweet’N Low® granulated sugar substitute
• 4 lemon slices, optional, for garnish
• 4 mint sprigs, optional, for garnish

In a large measuring cup, combine the lemon juice and water. Add the Sweet’N Low, stirring until it dissolves.

Spoon 1 tablespoon of liquid from the defrosted strawberries into each of 4 tall glasses. Fill each glass with ice. Divide the lemon juice mixture among the glasses. If desired, garnish with the lemon slice and mint sprig. Enjoy the strawberries or save them for another use.

PER SERVING: 20 calories, 0 g fat (0g saturated fat), 7 g carbohydrate, 0 g protein, 0 g dietary fiber, 0 mg sodium.  

Lemon Drop

(Serves 1)

Light and lively, this is a great summer cocktail.

• 3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice
• 1 packet Sweet’N Low® granulated sugar substitute
• 2 ounces Lemon-flavored vodka, chilled
• 1 curl lemon zest, for garnish

In a cocktail shaker, combine the lemon juice, Sweet’N Low, and vodka. Fill the shaker halfway with cracked ice and shake vigorously.  Strain into a chilled stemmed glass. Garnish with the lemon zest.

PER SERVING: 130 calories, 0 g fat (0g saturated fat), 1 g carbohydrate, 0 g protein, 0 g dietary fiber, 0 mg sodium.  

Skinny Cosmopolitan 

(Serves 1)

• 2 1-inch x 1/2-inch strips lemon zest
• 2 1-inch x 1/2-inch strips orange zest
• 1 packet Sweet’N Low® granulated sugar substitute
• 1/2 ounce unsweetened pomegranate juice
• 1 1/2 ounces vodka
• 1 lime slice, for garnish

In a cocktail shaker, muddle the lemon and orange zest with the Sweet’N Low. Add the pomegranate juice and vodka. Fill the shaker halfway with cracked ice and shake vigorously.  Strain into a chilled stemmed glass. Garnish with the lime slice.

PER SERVING: 100 calories, 0 g fat (0g saturated fat), 2 g carbohydrate, 0 g protein, 0 g dietary fiber, 0 mg sodium. 

Skinny Daiquiri

(Serves 1)

A touch of lime zest accents the flavor of this favorite cocktail.

• 1 1-inch x 1/2-inch strip lime zest
• 1 packet Sweet’N Low® granulated sugar substitute
• 3/4 ounce fresh lime juice
• 1 1/2 ounces light rum
• 1 lime slice, for garnish

In a cocktail shaker, muddle the lime zest with the Sweet’N Low. Add the lime juice and rum. Fill halfway with cracked ice and shake vigorously.  Strain into a chilled stemmed glass. Garnish with the lime slice.

PER SERVING: 100 calories, 0 g fat (0g saturated fat), 2 g carbohydrate, 0 g protein, 0 g dietary fiber, 0 mg sodium. 

Cherry Lime Ricky

(Serves 1)

Discover the refreshing pleasure of this old-time soda fountain favorite.

• 1/2 cup tart cherry juice
• Juice of 1 lime (at least 2 tbsp.)
• 1 packet Sweet’N Low® granulated sugar substitute
• Club soda
• Lime wedge, for garnish, optional

In a measuring cup, combine the cherry juice, lime juice, and Sweet’N Low. Stir to dissolve the Sweet’N Low.

Fill a tall glass with ice. Pour in the cherry juice mixture. Top with the club soda. Serve with a straw, garnished with the lime wedge, if desired.

PER SERVING: 70 calories, 0 g fat (0g saturated fat), 19 g carbohydrate, 0 g protein, 0 g dietary fiber, 35 mg sodium.  

Hot Mocha

(Serves 1)

This warming drink, a treat for coffee and chocolate lovers alike, combines the two under a layer of creamy foamed milk. Skim milk foams easily and makes a deceptively lean, yet rich topping. Enjoy it in the morning, as an afternoon break, and as a lean, luscious, liquid dessert.

• 1 tablespoon unsweetened Dutch-processed cocoa powder
• 1 – 2 packets Sweet’N Low® granulated sugar substitute
• 1 cup hot coffee
• Skim milk
• Cocoa powder for garnish

In a small mug or coffee cup, mix the cocoa and Sweet’N Low together. Add a few tablespoons of the coffee and stir until the cocoa is completely dissolved. Pour in the remaining coffee.

Foam the milk. Spoon a generous amount over the hot mocha. Garnish with a pinch of cocoa powder, if desired.

PER SERVING: 60 calories, 2 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 8 g carbohydrate, 5 g protein, 2 g dietary fiber, 65 mg sodium. 

Ultimate Iced Coffee

(Serves 1)

Cold-brewed coffee poured over coffee ice cubes makes the best iced coffee. It takes a bit of planning, but its full, rich flavor makes the wait worthwhile. The ideal coffee for this cold drink is a blend of mid-roasted beans with moderate acid. Using a dark roast and beans high in acid produces a sharper, more bitter result.

• Coffee ice cubes
• 1 cup cold brewed coffee (see below)
• 2 packets Sweet’N Low® granulated sugar substitute
• Milk, optional

Fill a tall glass with coffee ice cubes. Pour in the cold brewed coffee. Sweeten to taste with Sweet’N Low. Add milk as desired.

Cold-Brewed Coffee

(Makes 1 cup)

Cold brewing makes coffee with more aromatic, complex flavor and less bitterness or acidity than hot brewed coffee.

• 1/3 cup medium-coarse ground coffee
• 1 1/2 cups filtered water

Place the coffee in a glass jar, add the water, and stir to combine. Cover and set aside at room temperature for 12 hours or overnight.

Strain the coffee through a large-size paper coffee filter, a fine sieve, or a strainer lined with cheesecloth. Cold-brewed coffee can be refrigerated in a covered jar for up to 24 hours. This recipe can be doubled.

PER SERVING: 20 calories, 0 g fat (0g saturated fat), 3 g carbohydrate, 2 g protein, 0 g dietary fiber, 35 mg sodium. 

Spiced Cider Tea

(Serves 2)

• 3-inch cinnamon stick
• 3 whole cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns
• 2 black tea bags
• 2 cup apple cider
• 2 long cinnamon sticks, optional, for garnish

Place the cinnamon stick, cloves, and peppercorns in a medium saucepan. Add 2 cups water. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes. Off the heat, add the teabags and steep, covered, for 5 minutes. Remove the tea bags.

Add the cider to the spiced tea and warm over medium heat until Spiced Cider Tea is steaming hot. Divide between two mugs and serve, garnished with a long cinnamon stick, if desired.

PER SERVING: 120 calories, 0 g fat (0g saturated fat), 28 g carbohydrate, 0 g protein, 0 g dietary fiber, 0 mg sodium. 

Fire & Ice Tea

(Serves 1)

Iced tea sweetened with mint- and jalapeño-flavored syrup goes great with fajitas and tacos. It also makes a perfect afternoon pick-me-up. For clarity, cold-brewed tea is ideal,  but use any brewing method you like.

• 2 packets Sweet’N Low® granulated sugar substitute
• 1 teaspoon chopped jalapeño pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
• 1 cup brewed English Breakfast Tea, chilled or at room temperature
• Juice of 1/2 lime
• 1 pineapple spear, optional, for garnish
• 1 mint sprig, optional, for garnish

Place the Sweet’N Low, jalapeño, and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Off the heat, mix in the mint. Set aside until the syrup is room temperature. The syrup can be refrigerated in a covered container for 24 hours.

Fill a tall glass with ice cubes. Pour in the tea. Add the lime juice and 1-2 tablespoon of the syrup, to taste. If desired, garnish with the pineapple and mint.

PER SERVING: 10 calories, 0 g fat (0g saturated fat), 3 g carbohydrate, 0 g protein, 0 g dietary fiber, 35 mg sodium.

These recipes sound really good. I printed a few of these to try out.

Sweet’N Low has been around for as long as I can remember. My grandmother used to use it all the time. My stepmother also enjoys using Sweet’N Low.

For more information about Sweet’N Low and other delightful recipes, visit www.SweetnLow.com. You can also find Sweet’N Low on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/SweetnLow). They also share great recipes on their Facebook page. Currently I see one for home made Strawberry Jam. YUMMY!

They are also on Twitter (@SweetnLowBrand).

I also have a cute giveaway to give to a lucky reader. The winner will receive a really adorable reusable tote bag (one random tote pictured above), a cute pink apron, a box of Sweet’N Low (50 count) and a Sweet’N Low branded flashlight.

To Enter please comment on your favorite way to use Sweet’N Low – or – tell me which recipe (either in this post, on their Facebook page or website) you would like to try out.

Extra entries are available using the Rafflecopter widget (below). You MUST compete the initial entry requirement before you can do the extra entries, otherwise the extra entries will not qualify.

This giveaway is open to US residents only and will end on July 17, 2012 at 12:01 AM (EST). The winner will be chosen at random using a random number generator from all eligible entries. The winner will be notified via e-mail.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Kimberly

*I received free sample products in exchange for this post. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are entirely my own and are not influenced in any way.

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