Frozen Drinks: With or Without the Buzz

A hot day, a soft breeze, and a tall, cool drink in your hand . . . No longer just vacation-time treats, dozens of irresistible, frosty concoctions are just a whir of the blender away. In warm weather, there are few occasions--and few times of day--when an icy beverage doesn't hit the spot. For just such moments, frozen drink wizard Bruce Weinstein has created more than one hundred simple, innovative recipes for slushees, daiquiris, margaritas, coladas, chocolate and coffee drinks, and granitas and sorbets.From traditional poolside favorites such as pine-apple daiquiris and piña coladas to the immensely popular coffeehouse Frappuccinos and Mochaccinos, Frozen Drinks covers the range of icy treats, tangy or sweet, slushy or smooth. Try starting your morning with a Quadruple Coffee Shake, take an afternoon break with a glass of Frozen Raspberry Lemonade, or savor a dessert of Iced German Chocolate Cake.The book's introduction provides essential information for making perfect drinks every time, such as when to use fresh fruit and when canned or frozen fruit will do. Each recipe is nonalcoholic but has tasty variations, some with and some without alcohol. There are also a number of creative suggestions for garnishes, such as crumbled peppermint patties on a Chocolate Mint Parfait or candy canes to top off a Cabana Striped Slush.With dozens of ways to slice, dice, and blend your way through the summer, Frozen Drinks will be as welcome as an air conditioner in August.