Pitcher Drink
Spicy Grapefruit Margarita
The longer the tequila is infused with the chiles, the hotter it gets.
By Eric Werner
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.
By Eric Werner
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.
By Heidi Swanson
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.
By Nicole Aloni
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.
By Denise Gee
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."
By Andrew Knowlton and Damon Boelte
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.
By Fred Thompson
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.
By Diane Rossen Worthington
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.
By Diane Rossen Worthington
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.
By Eben Freeman
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.
By Brian Preston-Campbell
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. Its 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.
By Joanne Weir
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.
By Melissa Roberts
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.
By Eben Freeman
Paris's Crimson Champagne Cocktail
By Lara Shriftman and Elizabeth Harrison
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.
By Heather John
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.
By David Chang
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.
By Joe Bonaparte
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.
By Maggie Ruggiero
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.
By Melissa Roberts