Vodka slushes & yummy punch

I went to some holiday parties this Christmas season and came across Slushes...not the kind for kids but for adults....also had the best punch I have ever had in my life... I am not a huge punch fan but this was delicious.....

I am not much of a drinker... I don't believe in drinking to get drunk... a very occasional cocktail once or twice a year is about it for me....

You can make this slush mixture and leave out the alcohol (although I usually take about a 1/3 and leave it alcohol free for the children... they gotta have slushies too....

Vodka Slushes

3/4 to 1 cup Vodka (however strong you like it)
1 can each, orange juice,limeade, & lemonade frozen concentrate
2 tea bags
1 cup water, boiling
1/2 cup sugar
4 cups of water

To Serve:
Straws
Marashino cherries with juice
cold-Diet white pop (7UP/Sprite/Sierra Mist) whatever is your favorite



Add tea bags to boiling water steeping tea until dark.  In large freezable container put sugar.  Pour tea over sugar mixing to dissolve sugar.  When sugar is dissolved add vodka, juices, & remaining water to tea mixture stirring well.  Cover and place in freezer.  Freeze overnight. 
To serve take container out of fridge and uncover.  With the tines of a fork scrape mixture resembling light fluffy snow.  In glass place a couple of marashino cherries and a little cherry juice, spoon drink mixture filling glass up almost to the top.  Place an additional marashino cherry and a little more cherry juice on top.  Pour cold pop over slush mixture (If you don't use cold pop it will take the fizz out of the drink and you want that fizz).  Place straw in glass breaking up chunks of slush and mixing cherry juice into drink.  Enjoy

*note for kids*  I usually take about a 1/4 to a 1/3 of the mixture (I SKIP ADDING THE VODKA TO THE ABOVE MIXTURE) I mix it like normal (minus the serving step) and place in a freezer container.  When I am done with the kids is when I usually add the vodka to the remaining. The kids will be much firmer and harder to scrape with a fork due to the lack of alcohol. Serve like normal. 



Punch

1 can each frozen lemonade & grape concentrate
Water ( I use about 1 can less than it calls for)
Ice
Cold White Pop (7UP/Sprite/Sierra Mist) again use whatever is your favorite


In punch bowl add lemonad & grape concentrate mixing well.  Add water and stir until mixed.  Pour cold pop over mixture.  Add desired amount of ice and serve immediately.  Can make the punch mix up (minus the pop & ice) ahead of time..then right before serving add pop & ice... enjoy