Tangy Cranberry–Black Pepper Shrub Cocktail

Back in colonial days, a shrub syrup was the best way of preserving fruit without refrigeration. This autumnal cocktail gets its sweet-tart flavor from a shrub made with cranberries and spiced with black pepper. Its tangy flavor counterbalances a meal's richer flavors, and the shrub is great for parties, since it can be prepped in advance. For guests who aren't drinking booze, mix the shrub with chilled sparkling water instead of wine.

New York Shrub

To make simple syrup, combine 1 cup water with 1 cup sugar in a small saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved. Cool before using. Simple syrup will keep in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Rum and Coconut Water

This drink requires the simplest of preparations, yet it's almost wholly unexpected by the average imbiber. For assertiveness, it uses a good, amber rum—Appleton Extra is a good choice, as are Angostura 1919 and Bacardi 8— and for unparalleled refreshment impact, chilled coconut water.

Daiquiri

Rum, lime, and sugar define the classic daiquiri; no garishly-colored slushies, please.

Royal Bermuda Yacht Club Cocktail

The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club Cocktail has a few of the tropical essentials: first, it's based on rum; second, its flavor is fleshed out with fresh lime juice and the little-known syrup called falernum; and third, the name has both Caribbean and nautical overtones.

Sun and Shrub

A tart and citrusy hot weather refresher featuring tequila and Liber and Co's awesome Rhubarb and Ginger Shrub.

Booze-Free Rhubarb Lime Gimlet

In this no-alcohol libation, the rhubarb shrub mimics the flavor and intensity that alcohol would bring to a gimlet.

Apricot Rum Fizz

This cocktail is a slightly modified version of Toast's Apricot Fizz. Not that their drinks aren't brilliant, mind, it's just that I personally don't care for spiced rum (I think the "spice" is added by distillers in attempt to mask the lower quality of the rum), and I prefer the sharp sass of ginger beer over ginger ale's plebeian sweetness.

Peach-Ginger Shrub

The delicate flavor of peaches is complemented by apple cider vinegar in this tangy shrub syrup. Serve it with white rum or simply add it to seltzer.

Barbados Cocktail

This rum cocktail is just a little boozy and just a little sweet, with fresh lime to keep it bright. Think of it as a little island escape.