Does the thought of family entertaining scare you? It used to scare me. Before our annual Thanksgiving dinner at our home, I’d spend the week before in panic mode, frantically cleaning every nook and cranny and worrying over what I would serve. Each year Bryan would stare at me in bewilderment and ask, “Do you really think my mom is going to get down and look under the couch and chairs?” (The short answer-maybe, I didn’t know.)
Since my daughter has gone away to college, she gave me a list of items she wanted to see served during our Thanksgiving meal time, including the one thing she missed most of all, sweet tea. I wrote it down on my list along with the growing list of dessert requests from other family members. I’ll be honest and say I don’t brew tea that often. Once I discovered Lipton To Go Tea Sticks my brewing days were over. How much easier is it to add the mix to a bottle of water, shake and drink? I’m all about finding shortcuts in the kitchen whenever I can.
One concern I have this Thanksgiving is catering to various health conditions. Both of my in-laws and my dad have high blood pressure and diabetes. I thought it would be nice to have something different to drink than the excess of sugary sodas everyone indulges in during the meal. Why not create some Mocktails using the requested tea? I wanted a fruity indulgence everyone would enjoy so I headed to Walmart to check out the different types of teas available. While searching around the shelves I found a new to me product, Lipton Tea & Honey To Go in several flavors, including two fruits the kids enjoy, Mango Pineapple. When I found out each packet contained only 10 calories I tossed it in the buggy. Now, it was time to create a recipe that everyone would enjoy. I tried to think of other ingredients that would complement the flavors and decided on adding pineapple, mango, orange juice and club soda.
Here’s my Mellow Mango Mocktail:
Ingredients:
1 package of Lipton Tea and Honey Mango Pineapple, prepared as directed on package (should be 16 ounces)
I (20 ounce can) crushed pineapple in juice
½ cup chopped mango
1 1/2 cup orange juice
1 ½ cup ginger ale
Pineapple chunks for garnish, optional
Blend the crushed pineapple in juice and chopped mango until finely pureed. Add the orange juice, Lipton tea and ginger ale. Blend the mixture until frothy and well mixed. Chill until ready to serve. Serve in a cocktail glass and garnish with a pineapple chunk if desired. Note: The tea must be shaken well or it will not mix properly. No one wants chunks of mix in their drinks. This recipe should make 7 eight ounce servings.
If you are serving a larger crowd, try the Lipton Tea& Honey pitcher packets. They make a great pitcher of tea or can be used in recipes to make massive amounts of mocktails.
To adapt my recipe for the Mango-Pineapple Mocktails, use 1 pitcher of Mango Pineapple tea, 1 (2 liter) bottle of Ginger Ale, 1 (64) ounce carton of orange juice, 1 mango, chopped and 2 (20 ounces) cans of crushed pineapple. This will serve the entire extended family and guests!
Maybe I’ll convince everyone to allow me to serve Mellow Mango Mocktails at all our holiday meals. It will give new meaning to the words Family Tea Time! Do you have a favorite Mocktail that you serve to family and friends? Share it with us. opinions are my own.
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What a great combination. I would have never thought to combine all of these. Sounds great!
I copied your recipe! It sounds very good! Thanks so much, my Dad has diabetes and a few of my family members have HBP, so this will be a good change instead of just plain iced tea.
That looks like a great dink! The picture of it picture perfect! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks! I’m looking for holiday recipes-not just for the big table, but for the company–and special things the kids can enjoy,too.
I am always looking for a new holiday drink to serve at gatherings and this one looks simple but good so I thing ill try this one! I love Mangos and cant wait! THANK YOU!
Looks DELICIOUS!
Pam
That looks so good. I love mango beverages. Your mocktail is so tropical!
This mock cocktail sounds wonderful. I love tea and pineapple. You have given me a great idea to try. Thanks for the review!!! Rita Spratlen rjspratlen@gmail.com
Yum! I want to make these as soon as it warms up and it’s dry enough to sit out on my deck again. 🙂
Oh, they hae this already made now? Yum! My kids would flip out for this drink!
Yum! I love the mango and pineapple combination, it is even pretty healthy! I am totally trying this recipe. 🙂
Ooh, that looks yummy! I’ve never tried it before but I think I’ll have to. Thank you for the recipe!
Looks yummy!
What a great idea! This sounds delicious and like something I’d love to try in the summer.
great recipe, just in time for all the holiday get together… thanks for sharing; I would have never thought of using a Tea pack with real fruit mix.. cool…
Oh my goodness that looks delicious! Thanks so much for the recipe.
Yum, sounds good! I love mango.
Sounds so refreshing. Thanks for sharing.
Sounds good. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Now see…
I LOVE that!!! Also, I can absolutely see adding some Malibu Rum to that and having it be amazing!!
That does sound yummy! Thank you for sharing the recipe; looking forward to giving it a try!
Yum, being pregnant I am in the market for mocktails :o)
That sounds really good.
Oh my goodness, that looks super yummy!!! Thank you! Shauna
this sounds delicious and perfect for holiday parties when people want alcohol free drinks!
I’m going to have to try this recipe. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the recipe! This looks so refreshing, I’m going to bring to a holiday brunch next week.