Spice Island Slush

My liquor cabinet is getting so full I’m afraid the door may come off the hinges. And since that announcement has probably not left my mother beaming with pride, allow me to explain. I cook and try new recipes a lot. The upside is that my family and I enjoy this constant experimentation and delight in the pursuit of the perfect flavor combination. The downside is that I have a house full of little-used ingredients, such as the dozen or so bottles of liqueurs, schnapps and brandies that have accumulated. Most of the bottles are missing just a tablespoon or two and lay waiting for their next culinary adventure.

So my husband and I whipped up a few batches of Apple & Pear Slush, varying the boozy ingredients to create new and tasty libations for ourselves and our holiday guests. How about spiced rum and cinnamon schnapps? Or vodka and butterscotch schnapps? We also tried “as directed” with vodka as a point of comparison. Here’s how they stacked up:

• Spiced rum and cinnamon schnapps: It was OK. Next time we’ll try it with vodka and cinnamon schnapps. Something about the spiced rum and cinnamon wasn’t melding as well as we had hoped.
• Vodka and butterscotch schnapps: Oh, yeah … this was very tasty indeed. Kind of carameled apple. Mmmmm … my favorite.
• As directed (just vodka) – also delicious!

I garnished our glasses with brown sugar – I love the look and it’s so easy to do. Just dampen the rim of the glass (I used a damp paper towel on a plate). Simply roll the rim of the glass around on the edges a bit so the sugar will stick better. Honestly, tapping your finger under the faucet and then running your finger around the rim really is the best way (and I know the germaphobes are all poppin’ their corks about now, but I’m just sayin’). Next, immediately dip the glass into brown sugar, again gently rolling the rim of the glass on its edges a bit. Voila!

Recipes and photos are below. Give one a whirl … and let me know if you come up with any favorite combos of your own!

Spice Island Slush

Ingredients

• Apple ‘n Pear Slush Drink Mix
• 1¼ cups spiced rum (such as Captain Morgan)
• ½ cup cinnamon schnapps
• Warm water (about 6 cups)

Directions

Empty and rinse bucket. Add dry mix, rum and schnapps and enough water to fill to within about ½ inch of rim. Stir well to dissolve. Freeze 12-14 hours or overnight. Stir, scoop into glasses and serve. Makes 8 (8 oz.) servings.

Carameled Apple Slush

Ingredients

• Apple ‘n Pear Slush Drink Mix
• 1¼ cups vodka
• ½ cup butterscotch schnapps
• Warm water (about 6 cups)

Directions

Empty and rinse bucket. Add dry mix, vodka and schnapps and enough water to fill to within about ½ inch of rim. Stir well to dissolve. Freeze 12-14 hours or overnight. Stir, scoop into glasses and serve. Makes 8 (8 oz.) servings.

Spice Island Slush

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