Sadie Hawkins Sling

You'll have to ask someone to share this one with you—it's definitely big enough for two people. As silly as it looks, served in a pineapple with bendy straws, this cocktail from Jbird in New York is a serious drink, refreshing but spicy and complex.

The Claridge

But while the Slope keeps me coming back to the magical interaction between rye whiskey, apricot brandy, and bitter vermouth, the Claridge keeps the stone fruit's appeal alive when it's mixed with gin and dry vermouth.

Tom Collins

Gin, lemon, and soda come together for one of the cocktail world's enduring classics.

Southern Baptist

Sother Teague of Amor y Amargo in NYC shared this rye cocktail with us, and it's a winner, spicy with lots of fresh ginger and bright from a bunch of fresh lime.

Tradition's Southside

Meet your new favorite afternoon drink.

Queen's Park Swizzle

Several months ago I spoke with Forbidden Island owner Martin Cate for an article I was writing about ice and cocktails (the article is in the September/October issue of Imbibe). While talking about swizzles--a classic style of Caribbean drink made with well-packed crushed ice, hence a slow-sipper of a drink--Martin recommended the ancestral swizzle, a true tropical drink that launched countless imitators, called the Queen's Park Swizzle.

Drinking in Season: Lillet Rouge and Cherry Cocktail

Cherries are in full force at the market; the only hard part is choosing between deep burgundy Bing cherries and the lightly blushed Royal Anns. To get in the summer spirit, I've been making a sangria-like mixture of the aperitif Lillet Rouge with gin and cherries.

The Vancouver

Every great city should share its name with a great cocktail—but with the notable exception of the Manhattan (and some of its borough and neighborhood-named relations), few actually do. Here's a drink that may not qualify as "great" but still does pretty well for itself in the glass: the Vancouver.

Cucumber Gin Fizz

This drink balances soothing, cool flavors with just enough bright notes.

The Union Bar's Banga #1

This playful concoction from Arthur Wynne at The Union Bar in Vancouver is juicy and thirst-quenching. You'll need a lidded glass jar for each cocktail.