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By Stephen Phillips

During the summers when I was a kid, I'd often get together with my pals to play a game called Freeze. You remember the one. Someone shouts out "Freeze!" and then everyone stops and holds the last position they were in.

Well, I'm a little older now (OK, a lot) and during the lazy, hazy and crazy days of summer I still enjoy playing the Freeze game with my chums, only now the freeze I'm talking about is the kind you hold in your hand and slurp down.

Frozen cocktails are making a comeback, and they most definitely liven up any party. Almost any cocktail can be made into a frosty delight. All you need is a blender, ice, an active imagination and some good friends to sip them down with you. But before you even think of making that Frozen Banana Ramma Jamma, here are several things you'll need to know to help turn that margarita slush into a work of frozen art.

Keep these tips close to your heart, refrigerator and the liquor cabinet:

• As a general rule, one to two cups of ice or about level with the top of your liquids is all you'll need. Crushed or smaller ice cubes are best (especially those with fewer "air pockets"). If you don't have any crushed ice, just do it yourself by placing ice in a plastic bag and crushing it with a hammer.

• Frozen fresh fruit will make your drink thicker and smoother. Simply prepare this the day before by cutting up the fruit into bite-sized portions and store in a plastic freezer bag. Is it too thick? Add more juice, water and blend again, but be careful with the amount of juice you add as it will change the taste of your drink. Note: You can also make it sweeter by adding honey, more sugar and simple syrup.

• The order of ingredients will ensure a successful frozen cocktail. Add cold liquids first, followed by the fruit and last, but not least, the ice cream, sherbet, frozen yogurt or ice. Thaw ice cream briefly for better mixing.

• For nonalcoholic frozen drinks, simply substitute the spirits with equal parts of orange or pineapple juice, lemonade, milk, water or another liquid that seems appropriately delicious.

Got all that down? Good! Now you're ready to make my Top 10 Fabulously Frozen Drinks. It's just like the game. One ... two ... three. Just freeze!