Cherry Almond Fizz

Here is a fun little mocktail with a bright pink color (think:  Valentine's Day for the kids)  Personally, we have a Soda Stream and love it!  Therefore, we are never left without seltzer water in our household. 

Cherry Almond Fizz

Yield:  1 Mocktail

Ingredients:
1 - 2 Tablespoons Maraschino Cherry Juice 

1 Teaspoon Sugar or Sugar Alternative (I prefer to use 1 Stevia packette)

1/2 Teaspoon Almond Extract

2-3 Tablespoons Half & Half or Cream

Club Soda or Seltzer Water

Ice

1-2 Maraschino Cherries for Garnish

Step 1:  In a tall glass, place 3-4 ice cubes and then add the Maraschino cherry juice, sugar and almond extract.  

Step 2:  Fill with club soda - but leave about a 1/2 inch empty from the top.  Do not fill to the top or you will not have room for the cream!

Step 3:  Stir gently.  Top the drink off with the cream and garnish with Maraschino cherries.

Philadelphia Phosphate Chipper

I'm not a football fan.  Not even the least little bit.  So, in the big picture - I don't really care about the Superbowl.  However, I am a foodie.  And my hubby does like football (and is also a foodie).  Therefore, each year we try to create a Superbowl menu based on the teams playing in the game.  This year, it's the Philadelphia Eagles vs the New England Patriots.  I have not preference on the team.  Just the food.  This fun drink is a bit like a French soda in the end - give it a try!  It's sounds odd, but was delicious!

Philadelphia Phosphate Chipper

Serves 1

Ingredients:

1 Tablespoon Maple Syrup

2 Tablespoons Milk

2 Tablespoons Club Soda

Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Crushed Ice 

In a glass, add the milk and maple syrup.  Mix well with a spoon.  Add the milk and stir.  Top with enough crushed ice to make the liquid and ice equal level.  Top with a large scoop of ice cream.  Pour the club soda over the top of the ice cream to serve.  

Frozen Mocha

A long, long time ago Dairy Queen had something on their menu called Frozen Hot Chocolate.  It was my favorite . . . .it was a cross between a slushie and milk shake and it was chocolaty.  It wasn’t as heavy as a milkshake, but it was plenty dairy-liscious (unlike slushies).   After a few years, it disappeared off of their menu but it has never disappeared from my memory.   Over the years, I've managed to replicate it.  It's cool, it's frosty, very rich and chocolaty.  It's the perfect treat for a hot July Friday morning ;)  And when I thought about it, you know what makes it even better?  Instant Espresso.  Oh yes.  Yes, indeed.  This just went from frozen hot chocolate to Frozen Mocha!  You can thank me later.

Frozen Mocha

2 Servings

Ingredients:

1 cup Milk (I used skim)

½ cup Half and Half

½ cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

½ cup packed Brown Sugar

¾ tsp Vanilla Extract

3 Tablespoons Instant Espresso

Pinch of Salt

2 cups Ice Cubes

Blend the milk, cream, cocoa, sugar, vanilla, and salt in a blender until well combined and the sugar is dissolved.  Add the ice and blend until slushy.  Transfer to glasses and serve immediately.  

Happy New Year - Iced Latte

Happy New Year and Happy New Blog!  Welcome to Sweet Lucy's Culinary Creations.

I thought I would kick off this blog the same way I do each morning - with a cup of iced jo.  You know what I mean - jo, joe, java, coffee . . . .sweet, delicious, kickstartmyheart, coffee.

Morning Iced Latte
1.5 Cups Cold Milk
3 Teaspoons Instant Espresso
1 Teaspoon Vanilla
1 Teaspoon Sugar

First, gather up your delicious friends (ingredients) as well as grab your favorite glass.  Please note:  this is my favorite glass.

Next, add the instant espresso.  This stuff is phenomenal   Really.  I cannot lie.  I love, love, love instant espresso.  It's getting much easier to find in grocery stores too.  Formerly, it was a quite the specialty item.  It's very versatile and can boost any chocolate recipe too.  But I digress. . ..

And then the Vanilla.  I use the cheap stuff, I cannot lie.  I have no problem with the cheapo stuff for my daily coffee.  Save the expensive/high quality Vanilla for your yummy baked goods.

Oops . . .almost forgot our friend White Granulated Sugar.

Stir it all up . . .I know it doesn't look like much, but I promise you it will be divine in just a few short moments.  Just hang with me.

Pour in your cold milk.  I prefer skim.  For a treat, I use 2%.  Most days though, I use skim milk.  And don't forget to spill a little.  Never trust a skinny cook OR somebody with an impeccably clean kitchen.

Stir it all together with your favorite spoon.  Did I mention I have a favorite spoon?  It's very well loved (used).  Sadly, this one isn't it though.  Although, they are in the same family.  My favorite one is actually this same spoon . . .except it's blue (not pink).  I think they were billed as ice cream/milkshake spoons.  I use them for coffee :)

Add some ice if you would like.  Otherwise, tackle this tall, cold one straight on.  I prefer a little ice.  And a straw - I'm a straw addict.  I cannot lie.  I have issues drinking icy beverages from a cup without a straw.  Oh the horror!  But, back to the deliciousness of the subject matter . . . . .  Enjoy!