ICED CHOCOLATE

For pure pleasure, there's nothing better than iced chocolate. You can make this sparkling treat in several different ways, depending on what is in the cupboard.

My first choice calls for ground chocolate, which is sold in tins at many supermarkets. When I don't it on hand, I use either instant chocolate drink mix which is already sweetened, or I combine plain cocoa powder with sugar. The drink mix makes a richer-tasting beverage, even when it's sugar-free.

Once you've chosen a chocolate base, spoon 3-4 tablespoons of it into a tall glass and add just enough boiling water to dissolve it.

Carefully pour club soda--it foams madly, so go slowly -- over ice in a glass and enjoy.

Resisting seconds of this drink may be hard, but when it's so light, who cares?

Source: Dana Jacobi for the American Institute for Cancer Research