Homemade Ginger-Cardamom Soda With Lime

Although this recipe for Ginger Soda makes a fine quaff, I'd like to urge you to think of it as a template for creating other non-alcoholic drinks for party guests. The basic idea is simple: you create a flavored syrup,...

Gin-Gin Mule

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

Cucumber Gimlet

Like a spiked spa drink, this cocktail is refreshing and delicate—just lightly herbal from the muddled rosemary and gin.

The Pimmlet

I'm a sucker for good, relatively dry gimlets made with fresh lime juice, gin, and a bit of sugar (I don't dig the Rose's!), so it seemed only natural to attempt a Pimm's-seasoned variation of one.

Strawberry-Mint Sparkler

Juicy summer strawberries are combined with tart lime juice and bright mint in this sweet and sour effervescent vodka cocktail. It's light, not too sugary, and eminently day-drinkable.

Mojito

Good white rum, lime, and fresh mint: A classic mojito is a crisp and refreshing highball, not a sickly-sweet cliché.

Cinnamon-Tamarind Margarita

This margarita is super tart and fresh, with the slightly earthy notes of tamarind and cinnamon coming through. Use a good 100% agave tequila, blanco or reposado. The spice of the tequila echoes beautifully though this cocktail, and a little Cointreau adds a hint of orangey sweetness.

Mango-Ginger Cocktail With Cilantro

The round sweetness of mango gets a kick from spicy ginger and tart lemon in this tequila cocktail. If you have it, use reposado tequila, which lends a warm oakiness to the drink, balanced here with a touch of bright, grassy cilantro.

Chocolate Mint Julep Cocktail

Twisting the classic mint julep idea just a bit, this variation substitutes crème de cacao for the sugar, adding a chocolate flavor that pairs well with both bourbon and mint.

Pomelo and Basil Cocktail

I like to pair pomelo with herbal flavors, especially basil. The slight sweetness of both the pomelo and basil work really well together, but they're both able to hold their own and bring depth to a cocktail