A Cup of Good Cheer

Getting ready for tonight's party, which includes making some drinks. Besides all the wine people will bring and wine spritzers Mama Teacher is making, plus coffee, tea, cocoa, and cider on demand, I have Hot Buttered Rum and Almond Tea Punch, which have to be prepped in advance.

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Hot Buttered Rum

Combine and keep refrigerated:

1 lb. brown sugar (about 2 1/2 cups packed)

1/4 lb. butter

pinch salt

1/4-1/2 teaspoon each cinnamon, ground cloves, nutmeg

Add one rounded teaspoon of mixture to 1 cup hot water and 1 jigger rum.

Aunt J

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Almond Tea Punch

1 cup lemon juice

3 3/4 cup sugar

1 3/4 quart cold water or strong tea

2 tablespoons vanilla extract

2 cups almond extract (1 cup Amaretto may be substituted for 1 cup extract but don't use 2 cups)

Mix together above ingredients; chill.

Add 2 quarts of gingerale right before serving.

J.S., special ed teacher