blended drinks

Get excited: tomorrow is National Piña Colada day! Since the piña colada is the only blended drink I enjoy, I wanted to share my favorite recipe. I first made these coladas back in 2005 when I lived in Spain. After a long day at the pool, I craved the tropical combination of pineapple, coconut, and rum. Since I couldn't order it in a bar, I found a recipe that calls for fresh pineapple. It's a simple concoction that results in a sublime cocktail. It's thick, frothy, fruity, and potent. Leave out the rum and you've got a special treat for the kiddies. While you make the drink, I highly recommend listening to "Escape/The Piña Colada Song" — it will get you in the mood! (I may have listened to it while writing this story . . .)

This way for the recipe! Happy weekend.

First came the fast food breakfast wars. Now, it seems, the name of the game is refreshments. Every fast food joint wants a slice of the beverage pie, and number one chain McDonald's is leading the way.

Next month, the corporation will finally debut smoothies in Strawberry Banana and Wild Berry, the result of a year's worth of testing. What's more, the quick-service behemoth is now experimenting with frozen juice blends, slushies comparable to those famously served at rival Sonic. Test markets for flavors like strawberry lemonade currently include Michigan and Austin.

McDonald's has found surprising success with the introduction of premium roast coffee, sweet tea, and McCafé lattes and cappuccinos. It'll be interesting to see if the brand has good fortune with cold Summer refreshments. Are you into the concept of a McDonald's slushie?

Yesterday, Starbucks made headlines with news that the chain will offer customizable Frappuccinos in early May. Frappuccinos — which come in light versions as well as a variety of blended flavors like caramel, chai, and cinnamon dolce — account for as much as 10 percent of revenue.

Now the international coffee corporation hopes to further sales by allowing consumers to order the drink with soy milk instead of dairy, decaffeinated instead of caffeinated coffee, more espresso, and varying levels of syrup and whipped cream.

I've dreamt about this option for as long as I can remember, and I already know what I'd order: A Starbucks Frappuccino in Javachip, light on the syrup, with soy instead of milk, twice the espresso, and no whipped cream. What would you ask for?

Source: Flickr User yoshimov