The cocktail traditionalist will savor Bruce's world-class Bloody Mary, while those on the cutting edge will sip one of his twelve exotic and tasty variations of this favorite libation. His classic martini comes with no fewer than fifteen spin-offs. Got a crowd coming over? No problem. Just pull out the punch bowl and fill it with Groovy Banana Wine Punch or teetotaling Pink Plum Lemonade. On a hot summer day, serve a blended tropical Papaya Smoothie or Orange Jewelious. Or blast away winter's chill with a warming coffee, tea, or fruit juice toddy.

From an intimate dinner for two to a block-party bash, raise your glass and celebrate with Bruce Weinstein's The Ultimate Party Drink Book.

If you can't find fresh figs in your market, you can always order them through the mail from Harry & David (800-547-3033). Ask for Black Mission figs. They're dark purple and blend up into a beautiful lavender-colored drink.

4 large fresh figs (preferably Black Mission)
1/2 cup ice
3/4 cup vanilla yogurt (regular, low-fat, or non-fat)
2 tablespoons honey
Juice of 1/2 lemon (about 1 tablespoon)

Combine all the ingredients in a blender. Cover and pulse on and off until the mixture starts to swirl evenly. Blend on high for 20 seconds, or until the drink is completely smooth.

Variations

Desert Fig Smoothie Omit the honey. Add 2 tablespoons tamarind syrup and 2 fresh, pitted dates before blending.

Fig and Apricot Smoothie Omit the honey. Add 2 tablespoons apricot jam and 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon before blending.

Ginger Fig Smoothie Squeeze a 1-inch piece of fresh ginger in a garlic press to extract the juice. If the ginger is too large fit your garlic press, cut it into smaller pieces and repeat the process. Add ginger juice before blending.

Lemon Fig Smoothie Use the juice of 1 whole lemon. Use lemon yogurt instead of vanilla yogurt.

Mudslide

Makes 2 Drinks

A poolside classic that whips up in a jif. That's good, because once you start making them, your friends won't let you stop.

1 cup ice
1 cup chocolate ice cream
2 ounces vodka
2 ounces coffee liqueur (such as Kahlua)
2 ounces Irish cream liqueur (such as Baileys)

Combine all the ingredients in a blender. Cover and pulse on and off until the mixture starts to swirl evenly. Blend on high for 20 seconds, or until the drink is completely smooth.

Variations

Cinnamon Mudslide Reduce the vodka to 1 ounce. Add 1 ounce cinnamon schnapps before blending.

Coffee Mudslide Omit the chocolate ice cream. Add 1 cup coffee ice cream before blending.

Double Irish Mudslide Omit the vodka. Add 2 ounces Irish whiskey before blending.

Oreo Mudslide Add 4 crumbled oreos before blending.

Triple Chocolate Mudslide Omit the coffee liqueur. Add 2 ounces dark creme de cacao and 1 tablespoon chocolate syrup before blending.

BRUCE WEINSTEIN is the author of The Ultimate Ice Cream Book and The Ultimate Candy Book. A cooking teacher and a food and travel writer, Bruce’s work has appeared in the New York Times Magazine, Bon Appétit, and Wine Spectator. He lives in New York City.

Visit the author's website at www.ultimatecook.com.

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