Flavored sugar fun

I spent last week shopping - both online and in stores - and really organizing my ideas by hierarchy (so nothing important gets forgotten).  I've got an idea list, a to-do list and a further shopping list.  I've been assembling the decorations and have finally made a decision on the favors.

I was perusing Pinterest in the name of inspiration (yeah, that's it, Inspiration!), and I found a recipe for flavored sugar.  That's when my lightbulb went on!  Sugar is used in tea, and flavoring often colors sugar.  I have decided to flavor sugar and put it in vials with corks, then I will create Drink Me tags and put them in a tea cup!  Aha!

I've decided to use two types of sugar and two different flavorings.  I used granulated white sugar with pomegranate flavoring, which made a pretty pink color, and I used a raw turbinado sugar with orange zest.  Here are the pictures with my "recipe".  The recipes are not wholly mine rather ideas and processes combined from several tutorials I found on Pinterest.  I needed a lot of sugar, so I made A LOT, but I will reduce the recipe amoutns to more manageable recipes.

Pomegranate flavored white sugar (so sorry it isn't in a better jar!)

Tweedle Pom (Pomegranate Flavored White Sugar)

Ingredients:
1 cup granulated white sugar
2 T 100% pomegranate juice (I used Pom Wonderful)
1 quart-size zip loc baggie

Directions:
Pour the sugar into the zip lock then add the juice a teaspoon (or less) at a time; you do NOT want the juice to dissolve the sugar.  Close the bag and knead the sugar until the juice is fully incorporated.  Add more juice.  Mix again.  When you are all done with the juice, mix some more.  Keep going until your hand feels like it is about to fall off and you see no white sugar left anywhere (it should all be pink).  Store in an air-tight containter for at least a week in your pantry; the ziplock will work, but I recommend a glass container with a locking lever.  Note: the flavor is very, very subtle.  I would probably reduce the juice on the stove for a while to produce a brighter color and stronger flavor.

Orange flavored raw sugar

 



Tweedle Orange (Orange Flavored Raw Turbinado Sugar)

Ingredients:
1 cup coarse raw sugar
1 medium to large orange, zested

Directions:
In a large bowl (I'm a messy mixer), zest the orange over the raw sugar.  Mix well.  Store in an air-tight containter for at least a week in your pantry.  Note: the smell is AMAZING, and the flavor is just as good as the smell promises.

Here's a sneak peek at the decorations (don't tell my cousin!).