Summer Cocktails

Starred review from May 1, 2015

Hot toddies and single malts may get us through the winter, but when the weather starts to heat up, it's time to turn to fresher flavors--tart margaritas, frosty mint juleps, and fruity party punches. Del Mar Sacasa's enticing collection of summer cocktails showcases more than 100 recipes ranging from grown-up classics such as the Cuba Libre or the Negroni to more elaborate creations loaded with tropical fruits, ice cream, and plenty of froth and fizz. But these aren't those artificial, sickly sweet concoctions that give summer drinking a bad name. The watermelon refresher, for example, packed with ice, fresh herbs and jalapeno, and a seriously smoky bourbon-peach punch, emphasize high-quality, homemade ingredients and provide inventive twists for those who want to try a little lavender in their limeade or cucumber in their martini. A chapter on casual outdoor foods covers simple snacks such as pickled shrimp and oysters, all the way to hearty-party meals of fried chicken, sliders, and kebabs. VERDICT With clear instructions and bright color photographs it's easy to make a Pulparindo or a Pimm's your new summer staple, while handy guides to tools and prep techniques round out this essential primer.--Joanna Scutts, Astoria, NY

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