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Beverage Mixes in a Jar (FN1625, Nov. 2017)

Enjoy these beverages at home or give as gifts to friends and family for birthdays, holidays or other special occasions. Consider these beverage mixes a fun and easy way to make delicious drinks without breaking your budget.

Julie Garden-Robinson, Ph.D., R.D., L.R.D., Food and Nutrition Specialist, NDSU Extension Service

In cooperation with Alice Henneman, M.S., R.D., Extension Educator, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Availability: Web only


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With beverage prices rising at your favorite coffee shops, wouldn’t you like an inexpensive and tasty beverage you can make in your own home?

  • Store mixes in airtight wide-mouth containers for best quality and easy use. Possible containers include see-through canisters and canning jars. Decorate canisters with a pretty bow, or cover canning jars with a cloth tied by a bow.
  • To cover canning jars, you need about ¼ yard (9 inches) of fabric. Cut a circle, preferably with pinking shears, so it hangs down about 2 inches from the jar top. Place the fabric under the band or over the band. Tie with a ribbon, holding the fabric in place with a rubber band if needed.
  • Photocopy and cut out the provided recipes or hand-print each recipe on a card and attach it to the jar.

Key to Abbreviations

tsp. = teaspoon
Tbsp. = tablespoon
c. = cup
g = grams
mg = milligrams

For more mix recipes, see “Mix It Up to Expand Your Gift-giving Dollar With Food Mixes in a Jar”.

Double Chocolate Peppermint Candy Hot Cocoa Mix

Enjoy this delightful mix after a hectic day of hitting the after-holiday sales. It also makes a hearty treat after a chilly afternoon of sledding, ice skating or building snow creatures!

• 1 c. instant skim milk powder
• 1 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 c. white sugar
• ½ tsp. salt
• ½ c. crushed peppermint candy
• ½ c. mini semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Add the skim milk powder, cocoa powder, sugar and salt to a food processor. Pulse until thoroughly mixed.

2. Transfer the mix to a large bowl. Add the crushed peppermint candy and mini semisweet chocolate chips. Stir until distributed throughout the mixture.

3. Store mixture in an airtight, quart-sized container. Decorate container as desired.

Makes 12 servings. Per serving: 160 calories, 3.5 g fat, 4 g protein, 30 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber and 130 mg sodium

Spiced Tea Mix

This sweet, spicy cup of tea will put you in a holiday mood!

• 1½ c. orange breakfast drink (such as Tang)
• ¾ c. iced tea mix (unsweetened)
• 1½ c. white sugar
• 3 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 2 tsp. ground cloves

Directions:

1. Mix contents in a large bowl.

2. Store mixture in an airtight, quart-size container. Decorate container as desired.

Makes 64 servings. Per 3-teaspoon serving: 60 calories, 0 g fat, 0 g protein, 10 g carbohydrate, 0 g fiber and 0 mg sodium

French Vanilla Coffee Mix

Need a pick-me-up? A cup of French Vanilla Coffee will bring renewed energy.

• 1/3 c. instant coffee
• 1 c. instant skim milk powder
• ½ c. powdered nondairy coffee creamer
• 1/3 c. white sugar
• ¼ c. French vanilla instant pudding mix

Directions:

1. Add the ingredients to a food processor. Pulse until thoroughly mixed and you have a smooth powder.

2. Store mixture in an airtight, pint-size container. Decorate container as desired.

Makes 16 servings. Per serving: 50 calories, 1 g fat, 2 g protein, 10 g carbohydrate, 0 g fiber and 65 mg sodium

Mint Candy Coffee Mix

Chocolate, mints and coffee – perfect! And all you have to do is add boiling water for a delicious hot beverage.

• 1/3 c. instant coffee
• 1 c. instant skim milk powder
• ½ c. powdered nondairy coffee creamer
• ½ c. white sugar
• ¼ c. unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¼ c. instant chocolate pudding mix
• 6 to 8 red and white striped candy mints, crushed

Directions:

1. Add the ingredients to a food processor. Pulse until thoroughly mixed and you have a smooth powder.

2. Store mixture in an airtight, quart-sized container. Decorate container as desired.

Makes nine servings. Per serving: 110 calories, 1.5 g fat, 3 g protein, 23 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber and 120 mg sodium

Double Chocolate Peppermint Candy Hot Cocoa Mix

Directions: For each serving, place 1/3 cup cocoa mix in a mug and stir in 1 cup boiling water.

Spiced Tea Mix

Directions: For each serving, place 1 cup boiling water in a mug and stir in 1 to 3 teaspoons of mix (to taste).

French Vanilla Coffee Mix

Directions: For each serving, place ¾ cup of boiling water in a mug and stir in 2 heaping teaspoons of mix.

Mint Candy Coffee Mix

Directions: For each serving, place ¾ cup boiling water in a mug and stir in 3 tablespoons of mix.

November 2017

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