Fruit Cup

There is a lot of confusion, when it comes to fruit cups. For some it is a fruit cocktail, while for others it is a cup made from diced or sliced fruits to which certain syrups can also be added. In the United States, fruit cups, which are diced or sliced fruits are available in canned versions as well. These cups are known as fruit cocktail as well. The word cocktail refers to a food item made by combining of different food items. There is a regulation in the United States about the combination of fruits to be used for making fruit cup. It must contain fruits like diced grapes, pears, peaches, pineapples and cherries. If they are not in the combination stipulated, it cannot be called fruit cup.

On the other hand, a fruit cup also is a traditional English specialty drink. It is also commonly called summer cup. It is a long drink to which either a soft drink like lemonade or ginger ale or gin or other spirits like vodka can be added. Normally the base spirit is flavored using different herbs, fruits and spices. Like the name suggests, they were normally available in the warm summer months, but now are also available all around the year. These days it is not uncommon to see producers of fruit cup adding a fruit to the drink as a garnish, so that the flavor of the drink is enhanced. Fruits like apple, strawberry, orange, etc. are added to the drink. Sometimes mint may also be added to further enhance the taste.

How to Make a Fruit Cup?

We have just seen that there are two different ways in which fruit cups can be made. There is one similarity in both the recipes, which are the fruits. (I am sure you would have guessed it by now.) In this write-up, we will see the recipes to make both the versions of fruit cup.

Summer Cup
This is actually a medley of fruits, which is served with white wine. If you want to non alcoholic fruit cocktail, then you can opt for white grape juice, instead of white wine. It makes a great drink for special occasion. The orange juice gives the drink a citrus feel. Let's see the drinks recipe called summer cup.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups cubed cantaloupe
• 1 cup halved strawberries
• 1 cup halved grapes
• ¾ cup orange juice
• ¼ cup white wine
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp sugar
• fresh mint for garnishing

Method

• In a mixing bowl combine orange juice with lemon juice and fresh mint.
• Continue to stir the mixture, till all the ingredients are well combined.
• Then add white wine to the mixture and stir well again as well.
• In another bowl, place all the fruits and pour the white wine mixture on the fruits.
• Toss the fruits well, so that the fruits are coated with the wine mixture.
• Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator, preferably overnight or at least for 3 to 4 hours.
• Garnish with mint leaves before serving.

Fruit Cocktail
If you want to treat your kids with some interesting, yet healthy treat, then you may want to consider this recipe. They are good to be served especially on a hot summer afternoon.

Ingredients

• 16 ounce sour cream
• 8 ounce crushed pineapple with juice
• ¼ cup chopped maraschino cherries
• 3 bananas, peeled and diced
• ¼ cup pecans, chopped
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• ¾ cup white sugar

Method

• In a mixing bowl, combine sour cream with lemon juice and sugar.
• Continue to stir the ingredients, till they are well mixed.
• Once all the ingredients are well blended, fold in the fruits and pecans.
• Toss the ingredients well and then place them in a paper lined muffin tin.
• Place the muffin tins in the refrigerator and freeze them till they are set.
• Serve after removing them from the refrigerator immediately.

Using these recipes, you can also try different varieties of fruit cup to suit your palette. The calories will vary depending on the fruit cup you decide to make. I would like to bring it to your notice, that the breakfast fruit cup is not the same as the ones mentioned above. It is totally a different thing all together.