Halloween is for giving…

For the past two years on Halloween Adam and I have set up a beverage tent in our yard. I take the kids trick-or-treating while Adam stays at the house. We view Halloween as an opportunity to meet our neighbors. As Adam says, “when 300 kids come to your door, it is a ministry opportunity.” In addition to passing out candy we offer free hot chocolate, coffee and cider. I wish that we had taken a picture but basically we set up an outdoor canopy, table and chairs. To be more festive and for lighting Adam strung Christmas lights around the canopy. We borrowed three large thermal beverage dispensers from the church to keep the beverages warm all night. This small gesture of hospitality is always met with enthusiasm and it provides an opportunity for conversation with parents that you otherwise wouldn’t have. The most fun for me is recognizing Megan’s classmates and finally meeting their parents when they stop by. We estimated that we had around 200 kids stop by and we served over 50 drinks.

Now, I have to admit that sometimes I do struggle between “ministry” vs. grocery budget. We always want to offer the best to our neighbors and I’m pleased to say that all the drink items – including cups – was about $20 which is LESS than what the candy cost! This is not to brag and say, “be cheap like me” but rather to encourage anyone that “yes, you can do this too”! Here is how it worked out. My local grocery store was having a sale on boxes of brand name hot chocolate – $.99 per box. The other alternative would have been to make my own bulk mix. I actually had the ingredients for my homemade mix in the cart when I noticed the sale. Besides the “you can’t beat that price” factor I think most people would prefer their own unopened packet. The coffee was “free” because I already had plenty at home. I also set out a sugar dispenser from home and purchased half and half for coffee fix’ns. The cider wasn’t actually cider but a hot caramel apple drink similar to ones purchased at Starbucks or Cariboo Coffee (this is Adam’s favorite drink from Cariboo). I recieved many compliments for this drink. The apple juice was also on sale and all the other ingredients that I needed I had at home. This drink recipe is a keeper and I will be making it again. It is too yummy and easy to not make again and much more inexpensive than cider (although I love me some cider, mmm…).

Here is the recipe. This recipe is for one serving. For my purposes I used 3 (64oz) containers of apple juice and tripled the cinnamon syrup. I just mixed everything together and warmed it up. I also didn’t provide any of the garnishes – whipped cream, caramel syrup, nutmeg or cinnamon. It was just as good without. If I were throwing a smaller party or making it for the family then I might have added them.

Hot Caramel Apple Drink

Ingredients:

• 8 oz. apple juice
• 1 tbsp cinnamon syrup (recipe provided)
• whipped cream; caramel syrup
• nutmeg
• cinnamon

Method:
Heat apple juice and bring it to a gentle rolling boil. Add 1 tbsp of cinnamon syrup to an empty mug. Now add the boiled apple juice. Top with whipped cream, add a generous portion of caramel syrup and let it run into the juice. If required, add extra measures of whipped cream and caramel. Sprinkle with nutmeg and cinnamon.

I found two recipes for cinnamon syrup. You could also purchase pre-made beverage syrup (the kind that coffee shops use). Here is the recipe that I used also from the same website as above. I did not add the butter but I’m sure that would have been good too. I’ve seen this same recipe suggested for pancake or waffle syrup.

To make Cinnamon Syrup:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/8th tsp Salt
• 2 tbsp flour
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 2/3 cups water

Mix well and boil until thick. Add 2 tbsp butter.

Here is an alternate recipe.