Cool Summer Drinks

Hibiscus blossoms can be found at Latin grocery stores. Boiling the blossoms in a sugar-water mixture and then steeping infuses more flavor than just steeping them in warm water. This drink is especially good when made with premium-quality tequila.

Classic Cocktails
Here's what you should have on-hand to mix three classic cocktails.

This quintessential summer drink never becomes outdated, though you can always keep things fresh by adding your favorite fruit juice for a variety of colors and flavors. A favorite of kids and adults alike, this recipe couldn't get much easier: fresh-squeezed lemons, sugar, and chilled water.

Spanish for "fresh water," agua fresca is a refreshing, fruit-infused drink that is served throughout Mexico. This smooth, cool, and utterly refreshing frozen drink is so simple: fresh strawberries, lime juice, sugar, and water in a blender. At just 71 calories, it tastes more indulgent than it really is.

This Caribbean classic is right at home by the pool, at the beach, or at a backyard bash. In this 5-star recipe, orange juice meets pineapple juice, guava nectar, and rum. (Leave out the rum for a drink kids will love, too.)

This refreshing drink just screams summer, and should be sipped ice cold. It also screams healthful, with an array of antioxidants from the blackberries.

Pomegranate juice has become popular recently, thanks to its powerhouse levels of antioxidants and its unique tart flavor. This drink adds orange and lime juice, plus vodka and grenadine, to create a unique adult beverage that's great to pour at parties.

Tropical coconut and pineapple combine with melon liqueur and the subtle flavor of kiwi in this blended iced cocktail whose green color looks absolutely gorgeous on any party table. If you can find them, try using golden kiwifruit instead for a sweeter taste and pretty golden color.

Nothing is more refreshing on a hot day than a tall glass of sweet tea with just the right amount of tart lemon flavor, especially if sipped in a rocking chair on the porch. The bright citrus flavor of the lemon-verbena syrup will also add sparkle to a variety of cocktails, so make an extra batch.

A story about urban orchards in Boston provided this dish that combines cocktail and dessert. Peaches and mint bring summery flavor, while tart lime balances the sweetness, and rum adds a punch.