Fall is the time when the grapes are ripe, and the grape harvest makes fresh grape juice and wines. As many of you know, I don't drink wine, anymore, but I do love a good crisp glass of grape juice every now and then. Even better is to make a fizzy and refreshing grape float, which I only recently discovered was sometimes referred to as a Purple Cow. This float --like most floats, actually -- can either be a yummy afternoon snack on a warm Indian summer day or it can be an elegant and fun dessert. It really all depends on the glass you put it in!
I like to use Cascadian Farms organic grape juice from concentrate, since it tastes so fresh and good. Make a container of it according to the instructions (three containers of water mixed with one container of concentrate).
To make frozen grapes for the garnish, take a bunch of organic grapes, wash them, set them on a cookie tray, and freeze them. When they are frozen, you can put them in a glass jar or plastic bag. They make a great snack as well as a fun garnish for this float.
Fizzy Grape Float (or Purple Cow)
Ingredients:
Organic grape juice
Sparkling water
Ice
Vanilla ice cream
Frozen grapes (optional)
Directions:
1. Fill a glass halfway with ice.
2. Fill 2/3 of the glass with grape juice.
3. Fill the rest of the glass with sparkling water.
4. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
5. Garnish with frozen grapes.
6. Insert a straw, and float away!
For more from Maria Rodale, go to www.mariasfarmcountrykitchen.com.