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Pitcher Drink

Spicy Grapefruit Margarita

The longer the tequila is infused with the chiles, the hotter it gets.

Mango-Cucumber Wine Cooler

Steep cucumber and mango in the wine for three hours or longer for maximum flavor. Once the fruit sinks, the wine is ready.

Sparkling Panakam

This variation on the traditional Indian beverage is like a frosty cold, bright ginger beer. Cardamom gives the drink a floral undertone, and tart lime juice and sea salt add refreshing balance.

Ipanema Punch

All of the flavors of the tropics make an appearance in this sensational, lemon-hued punch-banana, rum, pineapple, and orange. Serve this at a BBQ featuring great pork ribs.

Hibiscus Punch

This makes an unexpected drink to serve porch-side visitors. With its beautiful color and sweet-tart cranberrylike flavor, guests will want to know where you had to go to find hibiscus pods, how interesting (and easy) it was to make, and talk about the sheer fact that hibiscus is edible. Be aware that with its deep red coloring, you shouldn't use a light-colored tablecloth.

Leland Palmer

Inspiration for the creation of a new cocktail comes from unexpected places. Take the Leland Palmer by Damon Boelte, bar manager at Prime Meats in Brooklyn, for example. "I was in Los Angeles visiting my girlfriend, enjoying my favorite hangover drink, the Arnold Palmer, and watching an episode of Twin Peaks, where Leland Palmer almost whacks Agent Cooper with a golf club. Sometimes things just make sense," says Boelte. For his adult version of the popular drink that's half lemonade and half iced tea, Boelte combines gin, jasmine tea, limoncello, lemon juice, and grapefruit juice in a pitcher. It's summer's essential back-porch sipper, and, Boelte adds, "It's definitely much better than a golf club to the head."

Sweet Tea with Vodka and Lemonade

A perfect summertime cocktail. Because it's a combination of iced tea, lemonade, and booze, we've dubbed it the Tipsy Arnold Palmer.

Rosé Sangria with Pineapple and Guava

Sangria is traditionally made with red wine. In this version, rosé gives the drink a pretty pink blush. If you prefer a stronger drink, mix in some light rum.

Viognier Fruit Spritzer

Frozen organic strawberries look great in the wineglasses—and help keep this pretty cocktail cool. Double the recipe if you'd like to be able to offer your guests seconds.

Nutty Monk

Eben Freeman, bartender of Tailor restaurant in New York City, developed this bitter, Cognac-based cocktail, which makes for a great after-dinner drink.

Apio-Rey

Inspired by Dr. Brown's Cel-Ray soda, the sparkling soda made with celery that was a favorite in my youth, I give you this reduced-calorie version, which can be made in the comfort of your own kitchen.

Orange Aperol Sun

This Italian spin on the Mimosa gets its unique flavor from Aperol, a bright-orange Italian liqueur made from bitter oranges, rhubarb, and herbs. It’s similar to Campari, but less bitter and more floral. In Italy, Aperol is served on the rocks mixed with Prosecco and a splash of club soda. In this recipe, the club soda has been replaced with a little fresh orange juice.

Pomegranate Mimosas

This holiday twist on the traditional brunch cocktail sparkles ruby red with pomegranate juice, its tart intensity offset by a hint of sweetness from fresh orange juice and Cointreau.

Sangria

This recipe comes from Eben Freeman, bartender of Tailor Restaurant in New York City. Though sangria is typically made in larger batches, Freeman demonstrates that it can also be concocted right in the glass for a single serving. When it comes to ingredients, he eschews the fancy add-ons found in many recipes, instead sticking to a simple formula of Spanish wine (ideally a young Rioja), Spanish brandy, and lemon juice. If you prefer, sugar can be added to taste, and different light red wines, citrus juices, and brandies substituted.

Paris's Crimson Champagne Cocktail

Pom-Ade

When life gives you pomegranates... make lemonade. In this refreshing version, a splash of pomegranate juice adds a sweet-tart note, as well as plenty of good-for-you antioxidants. For an adult version, add 2 tablespoons vodka to each drink.

Apple Soju Cocktails

This refreshing aperitif, a brainchild of David Arnold of the French Culinary Institute, bathes crisp matchsticks of Pink Lady apple with soju (a Korean spirit) and a little sparkle.

Sweet Peach Tea

Why serve plain iced tea when you can punch it up with healthy, natural flavors like ginger, mint, lemon and peach, as in Bonaparte's version here? A good reason to steep and sip: Tea's polyphenols may lower your risk for cancer.

Pineapple Rum Cocktails

Though pineapple and rum are the foundation for this aperitif, mint and lime juice temper the sweetness for a bright, clean sip.

Tarragon-Spiked Lady Grey Iced Tea

Just as a touch of bergamot brings hints of floral and citrus to the blend of teas in Earl Grey, the essence of Seville orange and lemon scents the Lady Grey brew. Here, lime and tarragon provide yet more layers of fresh flavor.