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Fantastic Frugal Hot Drink Mixes
By: Brandie Valenzuela
Recently my son and I went
to a local Starbucks. As we waited for our sweet beverages to be made, we kept
ourselves occupied by browsing the items they had for sale. There was lots of
great items -- many of which fit the cooler Autumn weather that had made its
welcome in our area.
One of the items for sale was a cider mix, that was
attractively coupled with a mug and cinnamon sticks. Needing a gift for a
friend, I considered making the purchase, but quickly regained some of my frugal
sensibility (I was still in a Starbuck's so I wasn't be totally frugal to begin
with) and realized how I could put together the same gift for $1 or
less.
Compiled here is an assortment of wonderful mixes that when
prepared are sure to warm the soul. Pick your favorite and make some for
yourself, or a friend!
Hot Cocoa Mix
1 (8-qt.)
box instant powdered milk
1 (16 oz.) jar nondairy creamer
1 (2 lb.) box
Nestle's Quik®
1 (1 lb.) box confectioners' sugar
Sift sugar and mix
together. Add 2 cups miniature marshmallows, if desired. To use, fill a mug half
full of mix. Add boiling water.
Cinnamon and Spice Beverage Mix
2/3 cup instant coffee
1 1/3 cups sugar
1/2
tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. allspice
Mix thoroughly and
put into a blender a couple cups at a time and blend to a fine powder. To use,
add approximately 2 rounded teaspoons per cup of boiling water, or less, to suit
your own taste.
Friendship Tea Mix
1 (18
oz.) jar Tang breakfast drink (orange flavor)
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup
presweetened lemonade mix (such as Countrytime)
1/2 cup instant tea
1 (3
oz. box ) orange or peach Jell-O
2 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground
cloves
Combine these dry ingredients and store in an airtight container.
Use 1 1/2 tablespoons per cup of boiling water. Makes approximately 50
servings.
Malted
Hot Cocoa Mix
1 (25.6 oz.) box
nonfat dry milk powder
6 cups miniature marshmallows
1 (16 oz.) container
instant chocolate milk mix
1 (13 oz.) jar malted milk powder
1 cup sifted
confectioners' sugar
1 (6 oz.) jar powdered nondairy creamer
1/2 tsp.
salt
In large bowl, combine all ingredients and stir until well blended.
Store in an airtight container. Keep in a cool place. Makes about 20 cups or 10
gifts. To serve, pour 6 ounces of hot water over 1/3 cup cocoa mix, and stir
until well blended.
Toffee Mocha Beverage Mix
2/3 cup instant coffee
1 cup powdered nondairy creamer
1/2
cup nonfat dry milk
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 cup brown sugar,
packed
Mix thoroughly and put into a blender a couple cups at a time and
blend to a fine powder. To use, add approximately 2 rounded teaspoons per cup of
boiling water, or less, to suit your own taste.
Swiss Mocha Beverage Mix
1 cup instant coffee
1 cup sugar
2 cups nonfat
dry milk
4 T. cocoa powder
Mix thoroughly and put into a blender a
couple cups at a time and blend to a fine powder. To use, add approximately 2
rounded teaspoons per cup of boiling water, or less, to suit your own
taste.
Spiced Tea
Mix
1 (18 oz.) jar orange breakfast
beverage crystals
2 C. sugar
1/2 cup red cinnamon candies
1/3 cup
instant tea mix
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground cloves
Combine
all ingredients; store in an airtight container. To serve, stir 1 1/2
tablespoons of mix into 1 cup hot water, stirring until candies dissolve.
Spiced Cocoa
Mix
2 cups nonfat dry milk
powder
1/2 cup powdered nondairy creamer
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
powder
1/3 cup sifted confectioners' sugar
3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2
tsp. ground nutmeg
Combine all ingredients, and mix thoroughly. For each
serving, combine 1/3 cup Spiced Cocoa Mix and 3/4 cup boiling water. Stir to
dissolve.
Mocha
Cocoa Beverage Mix
2 2/3 cups nonfat
dry milk
3/4 cup instant cocoa mix
1/2 cup. instant coffee
1/4 cup
powdered nondairy creamer
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
Mix thoroughly
and put into a blender a couple cups at a time and blend to a fine powder. To
use, add approximately 2 rounded teaspoons per cup of boiling water, or less, to
suit your own taste.
Fruity Cocoa Mix
3 cups
instant hot cocoa mix
1 pkg. unsweetened Kool-Aid mix, any fruity
flavor
Combine all ingredients in a a sealable container. Shake well
until blended. Store in an airtight container. To use, stir 2 heaping
tablespoons into a coffee mug of hot water.
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