Cucumber-Basil Lemonade With Lemongrass

Thai flavors of basil and lemongrass combine with cooling cucumber in this mildly savory but totally drinkably tart lemonade variation.

Lychee Bellini

I think it's best to use a dry sparkling wine to pair with the fruit, or the cocktail ends up cloyingly sweet and tasting like a bad hangover waiting to happen. I used a dry sparkling brut rosé from Alsace, France (Lucien Albrecht Cremant d'Alsace, made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes), which imparts a lovely pinkish hue. A dry Prosecco would be excellent as well.

Spicy Strawberry-Jalapeño Lemonade

Sweet ripe strawberries are macerated with sugar and jalapeños for a sweet, hot and totally refreshing summer drink.

Honey-Basil Lemonade

This simple lemonade combines fresh basil with a touch of honey.

Peach-Thyme Lemonade

A thick, rich, and frothy peach-based lemonade lightly scented with thyme. This is the kind of thing you'd want to add a shot of vodka or bourbon to. At least, I'd want to.

Ultra-Flavorful Fresh Limeade

With only two ingredients (three if you count water), this limeade couldn't be any simpler. This method harnesses the power of citric acid to dissolve sugar without heat, while capturing the intense flavor of the limes' essential oils. The result: a limeade with more lime flavor than one made with just juice and sugar.

Watermelon Limeade

Blending chunks of watermelon and giving it a quick strain through cheesecloth yields a sweet liquid that is a perfect foil for tart lime juice.

Raspberry Limeade

A sweetened, non-alcoholic take on the Raspberry Lime Rickey, fresh raspberries are pureed with lime juice and just the right amount of sugar. Serve ice cold, with a splash of gin or vodka if you'd like.

Watermelon, Lychee, Feta, and Basil Salad With Spicy Lemongrass Vinaigrette

Everybody's got a watermelon-feta salad on the menu these days, and there's a reason for it. The salty/sweet ultra-refreshing combination is perfect on hot summer days on the patio. This version ups the ante with a bit of chili heat in a soy sauce and honey-based vinaigrette. Sweet lychees and basil round out the flavors.

Mango Shandy With Chile, Ginger, and Lime

A perfect summery drink that combines sweet, juicy mangoes, warming ginger, a hint of spice and vegetal notes from green jalapeño, refreshing lime-lemon soda and a crisp lager.