~ beverages & drinks ~

How could anything be more fun?

2009-05-10T14:53:00.000+09:00

Treats are ready...

2008-04-27T12:06:00.002+09:00

We all enjoy having a special treat with out beverages and drinks. Here is one that I found that was so beautiful to look at.

May 3rd is Girl's Day in Japan. It is a time when Hina Dolls are displayed.
These treats are served with green tea during this celebration time.

Note: The Emperor is on the left and the Empress is on the right in northern Japan (Tokyo). In southern Japan (Osaka), they are reversed and the Emperor is on the right with the Empress on the left.

Beverage storage containers

2008-01-27T12:13:00.000+09:00

My traditional Japanese tea cannister is covered with cherry wood and has cherry tree branches with blossoms and leaves carved into it.

Use your imagination when you find something beautiful. You can use a variety of things to store your powdered drinks in.

Decorating your cold drinks

2006-11-21T16:41:00.000+09:00

Here are some ideas to help you with making your drinks more festive...

Having a drink that is decorative can be fun and easy. Be creative and enjoy decorating your ice cubes for your next gathering! Also, when freezing fruit juice, it is suggested that you use a different ice cube tray. Some juices are strong and can either change the color of or flavor your freezer containers.

To make clear ice cubes, freeze hot boiling water in the ice cube trays (be careful not to burn yourself).

Freeze cubes with curled pieces of lemon or lime peel for your iced tea. For added taste add a little lemon or limejuice to the ice cube before freezing.

To decorate a glass of water for the table, use ice cubes, which have a fresh cherry, blueberry or strawberry frozen inside.

To decorate your mint ice tea, add a few fresh mint leaves to your ice cubes before freezing.

To flavor and color to a glass of water, freeze your left over fruit juices.

If you would like to add an interesting table center decoration to your buffet table, freeze edible flowers in your ice cubes. Your guests will be amazed at the colorful bowl of water. Add a ladle, some water glasses (nearby) and invite them to enjoy a glass of water.

For iced coffee, lightly thaw ice cream, pour into your ice cube trays and refreeze for that special treat on a warm summer day.

White wine punch

2006-11-21T16:34:00.000+09:00

1 qt grapefruit juice
1 qt ginger ale or citrus-type soda
1 bottle white wine
4 oz fresh fruit (your choice, for garnish)

Chill all ingredients before mixing. In a serving bowl or pitcher, mix punch together.

Garnish with the fruit of your choice just before serving.

Sangria

2006-11-15T12:00:00.000+09:00

From the kitchen of a friend

1 bottle of red wine
1-2 bottles of lemon juice (to taste)
1 lemon (sliced)
1 orange (sliced)
3-4 tbsp of brandy (to taste)
Ice cubes

Combine all the ingredients into a large pitcher. Allow it to rest for a couple minutes in the refrigerator before serving.

Serve in ice-filled glasses.

Place a slice of either orange or lemon on top as a decoration to the glass.

Note: You do not need to use an expensive bottle of red wine in this recipe because it will have other things added into it.

Lemonade

2006-11-14T14:24:00.000+09:00

4 lemons, juiced
1 cup sugar
1 qt cold water
Lemon slice (for garnish)
Jar of maraschino cherries (optional, for garnish)

Combine lemonade into a pitcher and serve in chilled glass.

Garnish with lemon slice.

Note: a maraschino cherry (with stem) looks festive if used as a garnish. Place it on top of the ice. Pour in a little cherry juice for a festive decoration just prior to serving.