Non-Alcoholic Drinks for Labor Day

A long week-end should mean that you are making the choice to have fun in a non-alcoholic way and showing the next generation or two that you don't need beer (or whatever alcohol you like). There are drinks that can be made beyond lemonade and fruit flavored water; although these are both excellent choices for a get together.

PLEASE AND THANK YOU PUNCH: 1 cup cranberries, washed and drained; 1 cup milk; 1 cup plain yogurt; 1 frozen banana; 1/4 cup apple juice concentrate; 1 Tbsp. honey; 3/4 ice cubes. Combine cranberries and milk in blender and blend until berries are mashed, and the mixture is fairly smooth. Strain the blended mixture, then rinse out the blender jar. Add strained and juice combination, yogurt, banana, juice concentrate, honey and ice cubes. Whirl until smooth and serve immediately.

HOT CHOCOLATE MIX: 8 cups powdered milk; 1 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa or carob powder; 2 cups fructose. Combine all ingredients and stir well. Store in tightly covered jar. Use 3 Tbsp. per cup of hot water. Remember to add marshmallows!

GRAPE SHAKE: 1 cup unsweetened grape juice; 1/3 cup powdered milk; 2 frozen bananas; 2 tsp. fructose; 2 ice cubes. Pour grape juice into the blender jar and add the powdered milk. Break the bananas into chunks and add to the grape juice. Add fructose and ice cubes; cover the jar and blend until smooth.

WATERMELON SLUSH: 1 1/2 cups plain yogurt; 1 cup watermelon juice; 2 frozen bananas; 2 tsp. fructose. To make watermelon juice put watermelon into blender and blend until smooth, add yogurt, bananas and fructose. Blend until smooth.

RUSSIAN TEA: 2 cups Tang; 1 (3 oz.) pkg lemonade mix; 1 1/2 cups sugar; 1 cup instant tea; 1/2 tsp. ground cloves; 1/2 tsp. cinnamon. Mix all ingredients and store in tight container. Use 3 Tbsp. per cup of water or to your taste.

ORANGE JULIUS: 1 (6 oz.) can frozen orange juice concentrate; 1 cup milk; 1 cup water; 1/2 cup sugar; 1 tsp. vanilla; 10-12 ice cubes. Break up the ice a little by putting in blender. Blend all ingredients together until smooth.