While Yum was into Tyler Florence's kitchen essentials [1], I was more interested in the cocktail — or should I say mocktail, it was nonalcoholic he was pouring. The refreshing beverage was a mixture of cranberry juice, ice, and sparkling apple cider. This cool and delicious concoction is perfect for the upcoming holiday season. Although you do need a blender, it's so easy to make that you could even get the kids involved. To get the technique for Tyler's festive slushie-like mocktail, .

Cranberry Apple Cider Shandy [2]
From Tyler Florence [3]

Ingredients

1 cup cranberry juice
2 cups ice
4 pints sparkling apple cider (for an alcoholic version, use hard apple cider)
mint, for garnish

Directions

1. In a food processor or blender, combine ice and cranberry juice and process for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture tightens up and takes on the texture of a slushy.
2. Use an ice cream scoop to portion out among glasses, then top off with chilled hard cider.
3. Garnish with a sprig of mint. Serve in mason jars for a fun presentation.

Serves 4-6.

Print recipe with images [3] | without images [3]