MacKinnon

The base for the drink is Drambuie, the Scottish herbal honey-and-whisky liqueur, but before you write it off as too sweet, look at the citrus and soda--that will tone down the sugar a few notches. Plus, there's a slider of rum to help level out flavor, and to bring the horsepower up to the necessary level.

Smoky Iced Tea and Whiskey Cooler

The cocktail is smoky and complex without being heavy. It's got a lightness that comes from the lemon juice and ginger liqueur that make for a dangerously sippable drink.

The Highball

Short of simply popping open a beer or a straight slug of whiskey, there are few drinks that are less labor-intensive than the venerable highball. With Labor Day this weekend, we figured this was the perfect drink to share. You could reasonably ask the question, "Do we really need a recipe for something so easy?" but while this simple (and flexible) mix of booze, bubbles and ice can be prepared with almost zero thought, a little care in the execution can make all the difference between a watery ...

Cameron's Kick

This cocktail dates back to at least 1930; that's when it crops up in a slim book called Cocktails, by "Jimmy" late of Ciro's (it also appears in the Savoy Cocktail Book at about the same time). It's too unlikely a bird to ever have enjoyed widespread fame; but its idiosyncrasies are the very things that make it so appealing.

Gin-Gin Mule

Gin, mint, and ginger; what's not to love?

Presbyterian

Whatever the provenance of its name, the Presbyterian is pretty much made to be enjoyed outdoors, preferably with a picnic blanket in sight and with a few blue puffs of smoke blowing off the barbecue. Incredibly easy to prepare, the Presbyterian also lends itself to the pitcher treatment.

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.

Mai Tai

The true Mai Tai is a vacation in a glass, bearing little resemblance to the sweet, murky rum drink you've likely tried before.

Light and Drizzly

A tasty, low-alcohol take on a Dark and Stormy.

Pimm's and Tonic

This super-easy highball is great with Fever Tree tonic, though feel free to substitute your tonic of choice.