Cranberry Apple Crush

5 cups apple cider or apple juice 5 cups cranberry juice 1 1/2 cups guava juice or mango nectar 1/4 cup lime juice 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice Honey (optional) Kumquats (optional) Lime slices (optional) 1. In a 4-quart Dutch oven combine apple cider, cranberry juice, guava juice, lime juice, ginger, cinnamon, and allspice. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. If desired, sweeten to taste with honey. 2. To serve, pour into mugs. If desired, garnish with lime slices and kumquats. Makes 8 to 10 servings.

Apple and Mint Punch

Recipe courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis, Food Network

Cook Time: 3 min
Level: Easy
Yield: 5 1/2 cups

Ingredients

* 2 cups water
* 4 green tea bags
* 1 1/2 cups (100 percent) apple juice (recommended: Martinelli's)
* 1 cup Mint Simple Syrup, recipe follows
* 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from 1 large lemon)
* 1 cup sparkling water, chilled
* Ice

Directions

Garnish: fresh mint sprigs, optional

In a small saucepan, bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat. Turn off the heat, add the tea bags and let steep for 6 minutes. Remove the tea bags and cool the tea to room temperature, about 45 minutes. Pour the cooled tea into a large pitcher. Add the apple juice, Mint Simple Syrup and lemon juice. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

To serve, add the sparkling water and pour the punch into ice-filled glasses. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs, if desired.

Mint Simple Syrup

* 1 cup water
* 1/2 cup sugar
* 1 packed cup fresh mint leaves

Add the water and sugar to a small saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved, about 3 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and add the mint leaves. Allow the syrup to cool, about 20 minutes. Strain before using.