Lime

From the Café Iguana restaurant, in Denver, Colorado.

(Rum, Lime, Mint and Basil Cocktail)Garnishes: fresh mint and basil sprigs and lime slices

(Rum Lime Tonics)

Now considered the national drink of Brazil, the Caipirinha was not always so respectable. In fact, the name comes from a somewhat derogatory word roughly equivalent to "hillbilly." The cocktail's main ingredient, cachaça, is an aguardiente that, like rum, is made from sugarcane. But cachaça has a bite and flavor more characteristic of a rough-edged tequila than of its more refined cousin. In fact, bartenders who run out of cachaça have been known to substitute equal parts white rum and white tequila in its place.A Caipirinha is usually made by muddling pieces of lime with sugar; we chose, for simplicity's sake, to juice the limes instead. For a more authentic flavor, you can mash a piece of lime rind in the bottom of the glass before serving.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less but requires additional unattended time.

Fizzes, which have been popular drinks in the late morning and afternoon, are usually served in highball glasses. They are made from liquor, citrus juices, and sugar, shaken with ice. The mixture is strained into glasses, which are then filled with club soda or other carbonated drink, including champagne. Egg, both yolk and white, is used in some fizzes.

This cocktail from Bix restaurant in San Francisco is a favorite of Joe Montana's.

Blue curaçao provides the color and lime peel, the freshness.