Keep your cool

Pimm’s No. 1 Cup
The Brits have a good sense of history and tradition, and one cherished ritual of the usually too-short British summertime is a cool glass of Pimm’s — a dark, golden-brown liqueur made from dry gin, fruit juices and spices.

The Pimm's No. 1 Cup is a sangria-like cocktail that is deceptively potent and a British favorite that stirs up images of sunny afternoons at Wimbledon, or a leisurely game of cricket on an English village green. Cheers!

Pimm's
7-Up or carbonated lemonade
Branch of fresh mint
3-4 slices lemon or orange
1-2 slices cucumber
About 1/4 pint strawberries, cut in chunks
Ice cubes

Fill a tall pitcher about 1/5 to 1/4 full with Pimm's, and top up with the 7-Up or lemonade.

Add the mint, citrus, cucumber, ice cubes and a handful of  a branch of fresh mint, a few slices of lemon and orange, a wedge or two of cucumber, ice cubes and a handful of strawberries.

Mix and serve. Add a slug of dry gin or splash of brandy for an extra kick.

-Roland Jones

Champagne Sparkler
My wife and I both enjoy Champagne and look for every possible opportunity to serve it. It is a great way to have everybody on board with a wee bubbly at the start of a summer dinner party.

Even those who are generally leery of Champagne are attracted to the golden iridescence and festive accent of orange twist that comes with this refreshing cocktail.

Brut Champagne (cava like Freixenet works fine too; prossecco is a bit sweet)
Sparkling pear cider
Agnostura bitters
Orange zest

Fill a Champagne flute about 2/3 of the way with the bubbly. Top it off with the pear cider. Add a couple drops of bitters. Stir, add orange zest and enjoy.

-Fred Birchman