New Refreshments for New Year’s Eve

For the holidays, you might want to try some new cocktails. These suggestions come from New Orleans designer Angele Parlange (the milk punch), Chicago restaurateur Barry Birsak of Earth Restaurant (citrus colada) and architects Claudia Skyler and James Mastro (nonalcoholic fruit and yogurt frappes). The cranberry-based Holiday Cosmopolitan is my own contribution.

Remember that cold drinks taste best in chilled glasses. Put the glasses in the refrigerator or freezer several hours before using, or fill them with crushed ice long enough to get them good and cold. Cheers!

FRUIT AND YOGURT FRAPPE

1 banana

1 cup sliced strawberries or seasonal fruit

1/2 cup apricot nectar

1/2 cup milk

1 (4.4-ounce) container fruit-flavored yogurt, frozen

Blend banana, strawberries, nectar, milk and yogurt in blender. Serve immediately.

Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Each of 6 servings contains about:

69 calories; 25 mg sodium; 3 mg cholesterol; 1 gram fat; 14 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams protein; 0.29 gram fiber.

SOUTHERN BRANDY MILK PUNCH

1/2 gallon milk

1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream

1 (750-ml) bottle brandy

1 quart vanilla ice milk

Puree milk and ice cream in blender. Stir in brandy. Dilute with ice milk to taste--slightly less than 1 quart. Store in freezer until 1 hour before serving.

Makes 12 servings.

Each serving contains about:

539 calories; 275 mg sodium; 70 mg cholesterol; 18 grams fat; 46 grams carbohydrates; 16 grams protein; 0 fiber.

HOLIDAY COSMOPOLITAN

1/2 cup chilled cranberry juice

1/4 cup chilled vodka

2 tablespoons lime juice

2 tablespoons raspberry liqueur

2 slices lime

Mix cranberry juice, vodka, lime juice and liqueur in shaker or pitcher with ice. Pour into chilled wine glasses. Garnish with lime slices.

Makes 2 servings.

Each serving contains about:

205 calories; 20 mg sodium; 0 cholesterol; 0 fat; 28 grams carbohydrates; 0 protein; 0.20 gram fiber.

CITRUS COLADA

1/2 cup pineapple juice

1/2 cup orange juice

1/4 cup canned coconut milk

1/4 cup light rum

Mix pineapple juice, orange juice, coconut milk and rum. Refrigerate until chilled.

Makes 4 servings.

Each serving contains about:

91 calories; 3 mg sodium; 0 cholesterol; 3 grams fat; 8 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram protein; 0.37 gram fiber.

* Cactus cocktail glass from Preehand, Los Angeles.