It's time to start thinking about holiday entertaining. Whether you are entaining a large group or just your family, you will want to make it something special. And if there are diabetics in your group, it may cause you worry about beverages. Following are some great holiday and winter beverages that can be enjoyed by all, including the diabetics. Try Christmas Punch in a pretty punch bowl with some safe greenery floating on top; mint is a safe one. Some may prefer Elegant Eggnog while others may be interested in Raspberry Hot Chocolate or Peppermint-Mocha Coffee. Whatever your guests choose, you are sure to recieve lots of compliments.
ELEGANT EGGNOG
1 cup Splenda Granular
1 tbsp cornstarch
1tsp ground nutmeg
7 egg yolks
4 cups whole milk
2 cups nonfat half and half cream
2 tbsp vanilla extract
Mix Splenda, cornstarch and nutmeg in a large bowl. In a seperate bowl, whisk egg yolks until smooth. Add to Splenda mixture and whisk. Slowly add milk while stirring constantly. Pour mixture into a large, heavy saucepan and place over low heat. Whisk while heating until temperature reaches 175 degrees. This should take about 5-8 minutes. Remove from heat and blend in the half and half. Pour into a heat-safe pitcher and chill for about two hours uncovered. After two hours, cover eggnog and chill at least three more hours before serving. May be kept in refrigerator up to three days.
NOTE: It is very important to heat to a full 175 degrees to kill any bacteria that might be in the eggs.
RASPBERRY HOT CHOCOLATE
2 packets Splenda Flavor Accents, Raspberry
1 packet sugar-free hot chocolate mix
1 cup milk
Mix together the hot chocolate mix and Splenda Flavor Accents packets in a mug. Heat milk and pour into mug. Stir to dissolve. Serve immediately.
CHRISTMAS PUNCH
2 pkgs sugar-free cherry Kool-Aid
2 pkgs sugar-free strawberry Kool-Aid
1 small can unsweetened frozen orange juice
1 small can sugar-free frozen lemonade OR 1/2 cup lemon juice
3 ripe bananas, mashed
3 cups Splenda
1 can unsweetened pineapple juice
32 oz sugar-free gingerale
3 cups water
In a large plastic bowl or other large freezeable container with lid, mix together bananas, Splenda, Kool-Aids, thawed orange juice, thawed lemonade or lemon juice. Add pineapple juice, water, and gingerale. Stir well. Freeze until mushy or may be frozen for longer and removed from freezer a few hours before serving. Thaw to mushy stage and serve in a pretty punch bowl. For the holidays, float a pretty plastic holly sprig on top.
Note: Do not overdo it on the punch as there is sugar in the fruit juices. Take this into consideration when enjoying this punch.
PEPPERMINT-MOCHA COFFEE
6 cups freshly brewed coffee
4 squares semi-sweet baking chocolate
1 1/2 cups hot milk
1 tsp peppermint extract
8 sugar-free peppermint sticks or sugar-free candy canes
Pour coffee into a large saucepan. Add chocolate; cook on low heat for five minutes or until chocolate is thoroughly melted, stirring occasionally. Add milk and peppermint extract; stir until well blended. Garnish each serving with a peppermint stick or candy cane.
Enjoy!