Aunt Cindy's Wassail

Here it is, the wonderful wassail that Aunt Cindy used to make for Ange and I. I love making it on Halloween and Christmas!

1 gallon apple juice
1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup lemon juice
2 sticks cinnamon
10 cloves
10 allspice
1 cup sugar (optional)
2-4 cups water (optional, but I wouldn't add much if you don't use the sugar)

Simmer 25-30 min. Serve warm or chilled.

NOTES: I don't like to add sugar, so I don't add the water either. If it is too tart, a little water helps. I know some like sweeter drinks, so the sugar/water helps with that. It also helps the wassail go further!

Peppermint Cocoa Mix in a Pint Jar

Ingredients for Jar
1/2 cup powdered coffee creamer
1 (2.25 oz.) bottle red sugar (you can color 1/3 cup sugar with a few drops of red food coloring and mix well)
1/4 cup hard peppermint candies, crushed
circle of heavy paper
1/2 cup chocolate flavored drink mix (like Quick)
1/2 cup dry milk (scant 1/2 cup)

1. Place ingredients in Jar in order listed above, placing a circle of heavy paper on top of the crushed peppermints to prevent powdered sugar from sifting down through the peppermints. (If you want to make a diagonal design tip jar on edge but cut out your circle into an oval.)
2. Decorate jar.
3. Attach tag.

Tag:
Peppermint Cocoa
1. Empty cocoa mix into a large mixing bowl. Remove and discard paper circle.
2. Blend mix very well with a whisk.
3. Place mix back into jar or a container of your choice.
4. Place 1 1/2 to 2 Tblsp. mix into a cup. Add 1 cup boiling water. Stir until mixture is completely dissolved. Top with whipped cream if desired.

Basic Hot Cocoa Mix

2 cups nonfat dry milk
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
1/2 cup non-dairy creamer
1 dash salt
mini marshmallows, optional

Combine ingredients and mix well. Store in an airtight container. Yield: 4 cups.

To use Hot Cocoa Mix:
Add 3 to 4 Tblsp. of mix to your favorite mug and fill with boiling water. Stir to blend. Add some marshmallows or cream.

Flavored Cocoa Variations
*Use flavored creamers such as Hazelnut, Irish Cream, French Vanilla, etc. (We actually used blueberry cobbler this year that was really yummy!)
*Some people like to add a package of Raspberry or Cherry unsweetened dry beverage mix (like Kool-Aid) to cocoa mix. It makes it a bit tart, you will need to add more sugar. You might try only part of an envelope. (I have never tried this variation, so let me know if it's good.)
*Try adding one teaspoon of cinnamon to the cocoa mix.