Todd Wilbur has made a career out of his Top Secret Recipes series, dissecting popular recipes from America's favorite restaurant chains and presenting the results to eager home cooks. Top Secret Recipes: Sodas, Smoothies, Spirits, and Shakes continues the theme, offering homemade approximation recipes to satisfy the craving and expectations of the thirsty reader looking for a brand-name fix. Wilbur presents a host of potables to create at home, including sodas such as 7-Up and A&W root beer, brand mixtures such as Orange Julius, and even signature adult drinks from a variety of restaurant chains including Chili's, Hard Rock Cafe, and Red Lobster. But Wilbur offers more than just the genetic code to these concoctions: he provides interesting anecdotes on the origin of the beverages as well as humorous, but necessary, warnings about the various alcohol-infused drinks included. He's even dedicated a chapter to the home version of popular (and expensive) spirits such as Bailey's Irish Cream and Grand Marnier. For convenience and economy, this addition to the Top Secret collection offers a truly satisfying alternative, saving readers a trip to Starbucks for that addictive Frappuccino. --Teresa Simanton
