If you're cutting back the bar budget and mixing more at home, then you're gonna need a solid blender that can crush ice, pulverize fruit, and make your girl a strawberry daiquiri that'll knock the Manolos off her feet.

Time to toss the cheap blender with the old plastic jar and the ill-fitting lid you've been working with since college, and go pro.

The Bella Professional is an affordable, die-cast aluminum blender with a big 48 oz capacity, that will get the job done, and look good doing it.

Hit one of the blue, backlit 3-speed controls to stir, chop, mix, puree, liquefy, or crush ice. And you can bring the pulse button into play at every level. Rubberized feet keep it from sliding off the counter, spilling precious liquid. Which would legally constitute alcohol abuse.

$99.99 - Available at Amazon and Target
www.bellaprofessional.com