Bon Appétit

A glamorous after-dinner drink from Melvyn's restaurant.

Made with decaffeinated coffee, this soothing drink is ideal for sipping while watching a video on a lazy Saturday night.

Smoky chipotle chilies add a new dimension to the sizzle in these Bloody Marys.

Peel, slice, and freeze bananas in resealable plastic bags to use as a nutritious thickener for a variety of smoothies.

For anyone born in the Bluegrass State, the mint julep has a special significance: It's traditionally served on Kentucky Derby Day, the first Saturday in May. But it makes a great cocktail for any warm-weather afternoon. We've added a splash of club soda to make the drink a little lighter and more refreshing.

The "heavenly" secret is a vanilla bean.

A coffee drink served at Jause, the Viennese take on afternoon tea.

This cross between a fizz and a float  — a new take on an old-fashioned treat is lovely warm-weather refreshment.

The classic drink from old Cuba is said to have been concocted by expatriate American miners with time on their hands. These tart, lime-loaded daiquiris were created by recipe developer Jeanne Thiel Kelley's father, when he had time on his hands.

A simple drink for any kind of celebration.

In Austria this is called Krambambuli.

This tastes like a thick, rich ice cream shake, but it's virtually fat-free.

This German drink, called Grossmutters Punsch (Grandmother's Punch), is usually enjoyed warm at midnight on Christmas Eve. It can also be served as a refreshing chilled drink. For a festive touch, add a cinnamon stick to each glass.

This refreshing drink uses nonfat plain yogurt that is frozen before it is added to the blender. The yogurt should be frozen at least 6 hours ahead.

Strong coffee, spices, Triple Sec and brandy combine deliciously in a favorite New Orleans after-dinner drink.