Entertaining: Joy Juice — Glamdom Fandom

This is the time of year for entertaining and visiting with friends and family. Nothing is better than a large pot of Joy Juice and cookies to greet your guests. We wanted to share our family's treasured recipe for this Apple Cider, with a twist. We hope you will love it as much as we do!

This is a photo of me, when I was pregnant with Ella.  I am standing on the set of Jimmy Kimmel Live's Christmas Special.  I was the Set Decorator but was also asked to be on camera as one of Jimmy's guests.  My friend and Costume Des… — This is a photo of me, when I was pregnant with Ella. I am standing on the set of Jimmy Kimmel Live's Christmas Special. I was the Set Decorator but was also asked to be on camera as one of Jimmy's guests. My friend and Costume Designer, Rodney Munoz, put us all in ugly sweaters. I was glad to get to wear black, as I was 5 months pregnant and felt like a whale. Now I love this photo and all of the memories from this shoot.

JOY JUICE

This recipe came from a woman who worked with my Mom named Joyce, in the 80's. She brought this fabulous elixir to their annual Christmas party and then my Mom begged her to scribble down the recipe on a scrap of paper. We have been making it ever since and ALWAYS have it when we are decorating our Christmas tree. It serves 12 people, with multiple servings each. No one ever just wants one cup!

You will need...

7 cups good quality Apple Cider

5 cups orange juice

1 1/2 cups fresh squeezed lemon juice

2-4 cups of sugar (I use superfine and as little sugar as possible)

3 1/2 cups STRONG black tea

5 cups of filtered water

4 cinnamon sticks

1 tablespoon of whole cloves

1, 2" piece of fresh ginger, peeled and sliced

Alcohol for spiking (optional)- Brandy, Bourbon or Rum

Combine all ingredients (besides alcohol) in a large stock pot. Bring it to a boil and allow to simmer for approx. 30 minutes to an hour, depending on taste and urgency!

Remove spices.

Pour into cups and spike as desired. Enjoy!

My favorite things on this set were the Framed Christmas Tree that I bought at a vintage store, made entirely with fancy beads and backed with red velvet.  I also was obsessed with the faux holiday turkey that we rented and the custom Jimmy Kim… — My favorite things on this set were the Framed Christmas Tree that I bought at a vintage store, made entirely with fancy beads and backed with red velvet. I also was obsessed with the faux holiday turkey that we rented and the custom Jimmy Kimmel Live Christmas ornaments, made with painted enamel.