Black Bat Brew

-The combination of colors in this drink makes it a black beverage-

1 pkg grape-flavored unsweetened powdered drink mix
1 pkg orange-flavored unsweetened powdered drink mix
2 c. sugar
1-2 qts. Ginger- ale
Mix well. Serve chilled with Creepy Crawly Ice (See below)

Creepy Crawly Ice
-This will be sure to get some laughs-
Place a plastic spider or bug in each individual square of an ice cube tray. Fill with water and freeze. Serve as you would ice in your favorite Halloween beverage. Another idea is a rubber or plastic snake in a gelatin mold filled with water. Freeze and float in a punch bowl. (Could also do gummy worms.)

Submitted by Rita Yates (from our original swap group theme "kid's favorites")

Strawberry Smoothie

8 strawberries, hulled (I use 1 c. frozen strawberries and omit the ice cubes)
1/2 cup skim milk
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1 scoop vanilla or plain protein powder (optional)
3 tablespoons white sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
6 cubes ice, crushed

In a blender combine strawberries, milk, yogurt, protein powder, sugar and vanilla. Toss in the ice. Blend until smooth and creamy. Pour into glasses and serve.

*You can do a lot of different variations of this smoothie. I add a scoop of plain or vanilla whey protein powder to give it 20 grams of protein, and I use Splenda instead of sugar to make it healthier. To give it some flavor variations, you can add another fruit like banana or kiwi. You can also replace the milk with orange juice. I have also used frozen mixed berries and it turns out really good! To get in a serving of veggies, throw in a cup of fresh baby spinach. It's good, I promise!

Submitted by Krysta Fecke (from our original recipe swap group theme "Beverages.")

Any Flavor Julius

½ can frozen juice concentrate (any flavor)*
1 c. water**
1 c. milk
1/3 c. sugar
½ tsp. vanilla
12 cubes ice***

Blend all ingredients, minus the ice. Once all ingredients have been mixed well, slowly blend ice into beverage.

*This is what is great about this recipe, you can make a basic Orange Julius or you can use Mango Strawberry if that is the flavor you want.

**We use Sprite, Mountain Dew, or Fresca sometimes instead of water for an extra fizzy taste.

*** The more ice you put in the slushier it will be, sometimes we make it as thick as ice cream. Yum!!!

Submitted by Genevieve Garner (from our original recipe swap group theme "Beverages.")

Fruit Slush

6-8 c. fruit
2 c. pineapple with juice
1 bag blueberries, unsweetened
2-3 Bananas
2-3 Oranges

Pour lemon ice into punch bowl approximately one hour before serving. When ready to serve, add thawed fruit and sliced bananas and oranges. Pour lemon/lime soda on top and serve.

Lemon Ice
4 c. water
4 c. sugar
¾ c. lemon juice
Boil water and sugar together until sugar is dissolved. Add lemon juice and 4 more cups of cold water. Freeze.

(Note: For another version; 1 hour before serving, set out above lemon ice block and top with 3 packages of frozen berries (blueberry, raspberry, blackberry, etc.) in place of the other fruits.

Submitted by Mandy Hillman and Joyce Anderson (from our original recipe swap group theme "Beverages.")

Pineapple Punch Drink

My grandma makes this at every family event, big hit.

1 can pineapple juice
1 litter sprite or 7-up

In large punch bowl mix both together then serve over ice.

Submitted by Emily Saye (from our original recipe swap group theme "Beverages.")

Orange Julius

my younger sister taught me (I think she learned it in a middle school home ec class!)

1 cup water
1 cup milk
17 ice cubes
½ cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
½ cup orange juice concentrate

Blend all ingredients in blender.

Submitted by Lindsay Anderson (from our original recipe swap group theme "Beverages.")

Golden Glow Punch

1 (3oz) pkg. orange flavored Jell-O
1 (6 oz. can frozen pineapple-orange juice concentrate
4 c. apple juice
1 (1 pt. 12 oz) bottle ginger ale, chilled

Dissolve gelatin in 1 c. boiling water. Stir in pineapple-orange juice concentrate. Add apple juice and 3 c. cold water. Carefully pour in chilled ginger ale. Makes about 24
(½ c.) servings.

Submitted by Mauria Leydsman (from our original recipe swap group theme "Beverages")