FABULOUS FROZEN DRINKS

Hints, tips and recipes for cool drinks to sip in the sun.

Nothing says summer more than frozen drinks by the pool or on the deck. Frozen drinks are known by a lot of different names; Smoothies, Frosties, Frozen Daiquiris, Tropical, Umbrella, etc. What they do share is a blender, ice and the promise of a cool, refreshing drink on a hot summer day.

THE BASICS

Whether you are creating Smoothies (generally yogurt or ice cream based), coffee inspired creations, or classics like frozen margaritas or daiquiris, here are a few basic tips that will help you get the most from your blender.

Use frozen fruit: For most frozen drinks having a key ingredient like fruit already frozen will help you get the consistency in the final product that you want. Even thirty minutes in the freezer for most fruit will help . This also allows you to store unused fruit for later use.

Add the liquid ingredients first: For most frozen drinks add the liquid (ideally chilled) ingredients first, then the frozen fruit and finally the ice or frozen yogurt.

Start the blender at a low speed and increase speed to get the desired texture. Too thicken the drink, just add ice. Too thin? Add more fruit or liquid.

	CHILL OUT ! Try some iced coffee drinks , including Frozen Frappaccino with our Iced Coffee Feature. Read our feature on ICE to learn more about using Ice and Fruit together.

An example of a perfect frozen drink is the ever popular:

STRAWBERRY DAIQUIRI (for two)

• 1/4 cup light rum
• 2 teaspoons lime juice (ideally fresh)
• 2 cups of fresh frozen strawberries
• 2 cups of vanilla ice cream.
• Place the rum and juice in the blender and mix. Then add the strawberries and ice cream and continue to blend. Start the blender on a low speed untilblending begins, then increase the speed. Pour into two cocktail or specialty glasses and garnish with a half strawberry or strawberry fan.

Try this recipe for a less "rich" (no ice cream) and more traditional Strawberry Daiquiri »

SMOOTHIES

	barFACT Using "cracked" ice or ice chips will be a little easier on the blender and will allow you to mix all frozen drinks quicker.

The definition of frozen drinks is open for debate, but the term smoothies is most often used to refer to yogurt, frozen yogurt or ice cream based drinks. Many smoothie recipes are designed as desserts or even morning breakfast options. Almost all include the use of fruit. Smoothies are so popular that there are whole books dedicated to smoothie recipes.

The following smoothie recipes are some of our favorites. Most non-alcoholic smoothie recipes make a great base for an adult version of the same drink. You can always add the alcohol after the blending. Try and match the base of the smoothie with a liqueur of the same flavor.

BANANA SMOOTHIE (non alcoholic)

• 1/2 cup of honey
• 3/4 tsp of vanilla extract
• 2 large bananas (sliced)
• 1-1/2 cups of vanilla flavored yogurt
• 1/2 cup of ice

Combine the ingredients in the blender in the order listed and mix on a low speed. Gradually increase the blending speed until desired texture.

(Option: Add 1 oz banana liqueur)

	barFACT Non alcoholic frosted drinks. Almost all frozen drinks can be prepared with no alcohol. It is easy to add the alcohol to most frozen drinks after they are made giving you more options for yourself or guests.

MANGO SMOOTHIE (non alcoholic)

• 1/2 cup of pineapple juice
• 1 large mango diced
• 1 cup vanilla yogurt
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup of ice

BANANA STRAWBERRY SMOOTHIE (alcoholic)

• 2 oz of banana liqueur
• 1 large banana sliced
• 1 cup of diced strawberries
• 2 cups of vanilla frozen yogurt (or ice cream)

Note: All of these recipes can be made with a low fat frozen yogurt or ice cream. The texture will be the same and the taste difference is minimal to none.

FROZEN DAIQUIRIS

Impress your guests by offering them a wide choice of frozen daiquiris.

What makes this summer staple so popular is the fact that there is one simple recipe for the Daiquiri and by simply having a selection of fruit available your options grow.

FROZEN DAIQUIRI RECIPE (basic)

• 1-1/2 oz rum
• 1/2 oz orange liqueur
• 1-1/2 oz lime juice
• 1 tsp sugar
• Ice
• Use a blender to mix all ingredients.

Adding Flavors:

Banana Daiquiri: Same as above but add one sliced banana and 1/2 oz banana liqueur (optional).

Peach Daiquiri: Add 1/2 cup of fresh peaches and 1/2 oz peach schnapps (optional).

How about raspberries, mangoes or kiwi? The only limit is your imagination and the availability of fresh fruit!!

FROZEN MARGARITAS

To try another summer version (frozen) of a classic drink, visit our feature on Margaritas: Margaritaville.