Baskin-Robbins B.R. Blast

Baskin-Robbins B.R. Blast

Burt Baskin and Irv Robbins' idea to franchise their ice cream stores for rapid growth was so inspired that the company's former milk shake machine salesman, Ray Kroc, adopted the technique to successfully expand his new chain of McDonald's hamburger outlets.

Ice cream is this chain's staple. So this coffee drink, unlike the Frappuccino made famous by Starbucks, requires adding ice cream for a creamy texture and rich taste.

If you've got a blender you can clone either of the two varieties of this refreshing coffee beverage. For chocoholics bent on everything mocha, just add some chocolate syrup to the mix.

Cappuccino

1 cup double-strength coffee (see Tidbits)

1 cup milk1/3 cup granulated sugar

1 heaping cup vanilla ice cream

2 cups crushed ice or ice cubes

Garnish

whipped cream

cinnamon

1. Combine the strong coffee, milk and sugar in a blender and mix on medium speed for 15 seconds to dissolve sugar.

2. Add ice cream and ice then blend on high speed until smooth and creamy.

3. Pour drink into two 16-ounce glasses. If desired, add whipped cream to the top of each drink followed by a sprinkle of cinnamon.

This recipe makes 2 large drinks.

Applebee's Bananaberry Freeze

Applebee's Bananaberry Freeze

Ah, if only kitchen cloning was an exact science. While working on this one I saw the same bartender make the drink two different ways on two differentdays. Only after a firm grilling did I get her admitting to her personal "improvement" to the chain's secret recipe. The official clone includes the ingredients found below.

But if you want to add a little pineapple juice -- as some independent thinking bartenders are apt to do -- you might discover you have indeed created a tastier version of this refreshing smoothie. On that day the cloning gods shall be lookingthe other way.But, for heaven's sake, be sure your banana is soft and ripe. This is a detailed ingredients of the recipe:

1 10-ounce box frozen sweetened sliced strawberries, thawed

1/3 cup pina colada mix

2 cups ice

2 ripe bananas

Garnish

whipped cream

2 fresh strawberries

1. Use a blender to puree the entire contents of the thawed box of frozen strawberries.

2. Add 1/3 cup pina colada mix and 2 cups of ice to the blender.

3. Cut the end off end banana -- set these pieces aside to use later as a garnish -- then put the bananas into the blender.

4. Blend on high speed until the ice is crushed and the drink is smooth. Pour into two tall stemmed glasses, such as daiquiri glasses.

5. Slice each strawberry halfway up through the middle and add one to the rim of each glass.

6. Cut each banana slice halfway through the middle and add one to the rim of each glass next to the strawberry. Top with whipped cream and serve with a straw.

Makes 2 servings.