1 1/2 cups crumbs (graham crackers, chocolate wafers or gingersnaps)
1/4 cup melted butter (1/3 cup with graham cracker crumbs)
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
2/3 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 eggs, separated
1/2 cup of liqueurs or liquor, as directed on chart
1 cup heavy cream
Food coloring (optional).

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine crumbs with butter. Form in a 9-inch pan and bake for 10 minutes. Cool.

2. Pour 1/ 2 cup cold water in a saucepan and sprinkle gelatin over it. Add 1/3 cup sugar, salt and egg yolks. Stir to blend. Place over low heat and stir until the gelatin dissolves and mixture thickens. Do not boil! Remove from heat.

3. Stir the liqueurs or liquor into the mixture. Then chill until the mixture starts to mound slightly when nudged with a spoon.

4. Beat the egg whites until stiff, then add remaining 1/ 3 cup sugar and beat until peaks are firm. Fold the meringue into the thickened mixture.

5. Whip the cream, then fold into the mixture. Add food coloring if desired. Turn the mixture into the crust. Add garnish, if desired. Chill several hours or overnight. Serves 6.

Cordial Pie Variations

The Formula: cocktail; liquor (equal parts, 1/2 cup total, unless noted otherwise); crust; garnish

1. Brandy Alexander; Cognac, brown crème de cacao; graham cracker; chocolate curls

2. Chocolate mint; white crème de cacao, brown crème de cacao; chocolate cookie; chocolate curls

3. Grasshopper; white crème de menthe, green crème de menthe; chocolate cookie

4. Eggnog; rum; gingersnap; nutmeg

5. Banana mint; crème de banana, white crème de menthe; graham cracker

6. Pink squirrel; crème de almond, white crème de cacao; graham cracker

7. Brown velvet; triple sec, brown crème de cacao; chocolate cookie

8. Irish coffee; Irish whisky (use double strength coffee in place of water); graham cracker

9. Golden dream; Galliano, Cointreau (use 3/ 4 cup of orange juice in place of water, add 2 tablespoons grated orange peel); graham cracker; toasted coconut

10. Midnight cowboy; chocolate mint, brandy; chocolate cookie

11. Italian mousse; chocolate mint, vodka; chocolate cookie

12. Fifth Avenue; apricot brandy, brown crème de cacao; chocolate cookie

13. Raspberry Alexander; 3 ounces raspberry brandy, 1 ounce white crème de cacao; graham cracker

14. Blackberry Alexander; 3 ounces blackberry brandy, 1 ounce white crème de cacao; graham cracker

15. Banana chocolate cream; crème de banana, white crème de cacao; chocolate cookie

16. George Washington; chocolate mint, cherry brandy; chocolate cookie

17. Shady lady; coffee-flavored brandy, triple sec (use coffee in place of water); chocolate cookie

18. Cheri Suisse; cherry Suisse (cherry chocolate); chocolate cookie

19. Vandermint; Vandermint (chocolate mint); chocolate cookie

20. Sabra; Sabra (orange chocolate); chocolate cookie