Papaya-Banana-Orange Smoothie

One of the first things I bought as a pregnant person was a blender.  Boy I have been so happy ever since!

4 cups freshly squeezed orange juice, or best you have
4 cups chopped fresh papaya, or frozen
2 med bananas, peeled
Sugar to taste, if necessary

Combine 2 cups orange juice and all fruit in blender.  Blend until mixture is pureed.  Pour in large pitcher.  Add remaining 2 cups orange juice to pitcher and whisk to blend.  Serve into pretty glasses ;)
from Essentially Lilly a Guide to Colorful Entertaining

Cranberry-Orange Ginger Ale Punch

Awesome for a shower! or any get together really.

6 cups chilled cranberry-raspberry juice
6 cups chilled ginger ale
3 cups chilled freshly squeezed orange juice
Ice cubes or ring

Stir cranberry-raspberry juice, ginger ale and orange juice in punch bowl to blend. Add ice and serve.

***An ice ring with fresh mint or edible flowers or fruit frozen into it would make a pretty addition to the punch bowl. Stir the ingredients together just before serving so that the ginger ale won't lose it's fizz.
12 servings from Essentially Lilly (Pulitzer) a Guide to Colorful Entertaining

Watermelon-Strawberry Lemonade

Can't wait to serve this at a summer BBQ!

4 cups of 1-inch pieces seedless watermelon (ab. 1/4 small watermelon)
1 generous cup strawberries, hulled
2 cups water
1/2 of 12oz can lemonade concentrate

Combine watermelon, strawberries and 1 cup water in blender and puree. Pour mixture into large pitcher. Add remaining 1 cup water and lemonade concentrate to pitcher. Stir to combine well. Serve over ice.
6 Servings
From Essentially Lilly (Pulitzer) a Guide to Colorful Entertaining

Hot Cranberry-Apple Punch

For Halloween, how about this warm cran-apple drink? That's what Lilly says from her cookbook.

(4) 3-inch cinnamon sticks
(4) star anise
2 tsp whole allspice
1 tsp whole cloves
1-1/2 qts apple juice
1-1/2 qts cranberry juice
1 dozen lady apples, for garnish

Rinse and squeeze dry a piece of cheesecloth. Wrap cinnamon, star anise, allspice and cloves in cheesecloth and rice into a packet with kitchen string.

Bring apple juice, cranberry juice and spices to a simmer in a large nonreactive saucepan over medium heat. Add apples. Transfer pot to a warming plate to keep warm. (Or reduce heat under pot to very low and serve punch from kitchen)

Serve hot.
16 Servings, from Essentially Lilly (Pulitzer) a Guide to Colorful Holidays

Lemony Apple Punch

The punch to be served at Adrienne's shower. I can't wait!

1 (64-oz) bottle apple juice
1 (12-oz) can frozen lemonade
1 (2 liter) bottle ginger ale
Garnish: Lemon Slices

In a large container, combine apple juice and lemonade concentrate. Just before serving, stir in ginger ale. Serve over crushed ice. Garnish with lemon slices, if desired.
Makes 4-1/2 quarts
From Paula Deen Magazine Jan/Feb 2007

Old-Fashioned Pink Lemonade

Sweet, tart and refreshing, this lemonade gets its pink color from fresh strawberries.

2 large lemons
1-1/2 cups water
1/3 cup sugar
2 large strawberries
Ice cubes as needed (optional)

Cut lemons in half and juice. Should have about 1/2 cup juice.

Pour the lemon juice into a pitcher. Add the water and sugar. Stir with a long-handled spoon until the sugar is dissolved.

Cut of green stems from the strawberries. Cut strawberries in half.

Set a fine mesh strainer over a bowl. Put the strawberry halves in the strainer and mash with the back of a small spoon, pushing the strawberries into the lemonade. Make sure to scrape the underside of the strainer, adding what comes through the juice. Throw away anything left inside the strainer. Stir the lemonade until well blended and pink. Cover and refrigerate until well chilled.
Serves 2
from Willams-Sonoma.com

Poinsettia Sipper

This will definitely be served at my holiday party this year. It looks great, haven't tried it yet though.

1 (64oz) bottle 100% cranberry juice, chilled
1 cup thawed orange juice concentrate
1 (1-liter) bottle sprite
1 lime, thinly sliced
1/2 cup fresh cranberries

Stir together first 3 ingredients in a large pitcher; garnish with lime slices and cranberries.
Yield 16-1/2 cups

from 2008 Christmas with Southern Living

Fresh Lemonade

One day I will have a lemon tree and just run in the backyard so I can have this everyday. Until then it will be a special thing in my house. I'm a sucker for FRESH lemonade.

1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (5-6 lemons)
1/2 cup- 3/4 cup superfine sugar, to taste
1 cup crushed ice
4 cups water

Place all ingredients in a blender and process until completely smooth. Serve over ice.
Barefoot Contessa

Nanny's Punch

This stuff is awesome.  Markus' nanny made this at our engagement party a few years ago.  Yum Yum

6 ripe bananas mashed

4 oz pineapple juice concentrate frozen

6 oz lemonade concentrate frozen

12 oz orange juice concentrate frozen

2 cups of sugar

40-60 oz of lemon lime soda

Blend bananas, juices (frozen) in blender.  Add sugar, mix well.  Separate in containers or bags and freeze.  Thaw until mushy but still somewhat frozen.  When ready to serve, add soda