Cherry Ice Cubes

Ingredients:

1 (16 ounce) jar Maraschino cherries, you can also use fresh cherries.

Any drink or water

Instructions:

1) Rinse cherries well, if using fresh cherries. (You can also use blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, just not strawberries because they don't work well with being too big when whole and when sliced, their red color bleeds into the cubes).

2) Place 1 cherry, in each ice cube tray and fill with water. Freeze and use with lemonade, as an adornment for summer punches or fruity cocktails.

I actually chopped my cherries and then filled the cubes, but you may do so as you prefer.

Rainbow Punch

Ingredients:

2 (46 ounce) cans Fruit Punch

1/4 cup grenadine syrup

1 (2 liter) bottle Sprite or Mountain Dew

1/2 cup French Vanilla ice cream

Instructions:

1) Pour fruit punch into a large punch bowl. Stir in grenadine and soda. Add the ice cream, a scoop each-it will resemble a big fluffy cloud.

*Makes 36 servings*

Rooh-Afza Drink

Ingredients:

1 cup cashews, pistachios and almonds (finely crushed)

1 teaspoon cardamom seeds

1 gallon Milk

7 cups granulated sugar, to taste (for extra sweetness, add additional cup)

1 1/2 tablespoons Vanilla extract

1 1/2 cup Rooh Afza (can be purchased at any Indian store)

Instructions:

1) In a grinder, grind the cardamom seeds. Crush all the seeds and gather about 1 teaspoon.

2) Add the sugar into milk and stir well, then add Rooh Afza Syrup and stir for about 2 minutes, taste. If you would prefer the drink a little sweeter add the additional cup of sugar mentioned above.

3) Mix the nuts, cardamom powder and vanilla extract into the milk.

4) Refrigerate overnight.

*Makes 12 servings* (Also depending on glass/cup size)

Lime-Coconut Slushy

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups water
3/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon grated lime rind
1/2 cup fresh lime juice (about 4 limes)
1/2 cup light coconut milk

Instructions:
1) Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook for 3 minutes or until sugar dissolves, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, and cool completely.
2) Pour the mixture into an 11x7-inch baking dish. Cover and freeze for 8 hours or until firm. Remove mixture from freezer; let stand 10 minutes. Scrape entire mixture with a fork until fluffy.

*Makes 8 servings* (Serving size: 1/2 cup)

Imli Martini

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups boiling water
4 ounces unsweetened tamarind pulp
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1 cup vodka
1 cup fresh lime juice
Crushed ice
Sugar (optional)
Lime wedges (optional)

Instructions:
1) Combine 2 1/2 cups boiling water and tamarind in a large bowl; let stand 10 minutes. Break tamarind into small pieces; let stand 5 minutes. Strain mixture through a sieve over a bowl, reserving liquid; discard solids.
2) Combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water in a microwave-safe dish; microwave at HIGH for 2 minutes or until sugar dissolves, stirring once. Cool. Combine tamarind liquid, sugar syrup, vodka, and juice in a pitcher, stirring well. Add crushed ice; stir or shake well. Garnish rims of 8 martini glasses with sugar, if desired. Strain chilled martini mixture into prepared glasses; garnish with lime wedges, if desired.

*Makes 8 servings* (Serving size: about 1/2 cup)