Cool Drink in the Hot Summer

Who doesn't love a little Sangria? Like a boozy adult-version of fruit punch, it's the perfect party drink for the summer time. A hot grill and a cool Sangria - and you're well on your way to the perfect gathering.

Classic Sangria

• 1 lemon
• 1 lime
• 1 orange
• 1.5 cups white rum
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 bottle dry red wine (like Blackberry Merlot)
• 1 cup pulp-free orange juice

Cut the lemon, lime and orange into thin rounds and place into a medium sized bowl or shallow baking dish. In a small bowl, mix together the rum and the sugar and pour over the fruit. Let it "marinate" for two hours in the fridge before pouring into a glass pitcher. Mash the fruit up a bit with a wooden spoon, then pour the orange juice and the wine over the top of the fruit and stir.

Homemade Lemonade

Lemonade is easier than you think. No creepy Crystal Light packets - just sugar and deliciousness. That being said - this drink has 3 ingredients and 1 of them is pure sugar. Don't let your kids have 10 cups or you'll be sending me hate mail.

Summertime Lemonade

- 8 cups water

- 1 3/4 cups white sugar

- 1 1/2 cups lemon juice

If you have ten minutes before your party - here's the super fast way to do it. Put the sugar and 1 cup of the water into a large microwave-safe bowl. Stir together and nuke it in the microwave for 1 minute. Pour into pitcher, adding lots of ice, the rest of the water and the lemon juice. Stir like mad. Lemonade.

If you want to make 100% sure it's perfect: Mix 1 cup of the water and the sugar in a small saucepan over medium-high heat until it boils and the sugar dissolves. Set aside to cool. When cooled off, mix with the rest of the water and the lemon juice and serve over ice!

Party Punch

Sure, you can drag out the coolers of beer but I find that every great party has a signature cocktail. During the warm WARM WARM summer months in lovely Texas, I've got the perfect party drink - with or without the "sauce".

Chill Out Punch

• 1 cup superfine or granulated sugar
• 2 packages of Strawberry Jello mix (sugar free or regular)
• 1 - 46 ounce can of pineapple juice (use the real thing!)
• 1 quart of no-pulp orange juice
• 2/3 cup lemon or lime juice (they both taste great)
• 2 -2 liter bottles of Sprite Zero at room temperature
• 6 cups of drinking water

In a large saucepan, combine the strawberry jello packages, water, and sugar. Stir until combined over high heat until the mixture boils. Let it boil for three minutes before turning off the heat and removing the pan from the hot burner. Stir in the pineapple, orange, and lemon or lime juice and stir together. Let it cool and divide it into two separate containers and then freeze for at least 4 hours. When you're ready to serve it, turn one frozen container out into a punch bowl and then pour 1 liter of Sprite Zero directly over the frozen block. When it turns slushy, stir the contents together and enjoy!

To make this beverage a bit more adult, simply add in a cup..or two..or three of vodka. It won't change the flavor but if you end up looking for your pants in the morning, it isn't my fault.

Tasty Adult Beverages

I love a good mojito. McCormick & Schmick's makes a pineapple mojito that makes my adult tastebuds sing. This is my attempt to recreate it, which is dangerously delicious and I recommend alternating with water if you're trying to quench your thirst on a hot summer day. :) These sneak up on you!

Pineapple Mojito

• 2 ounces white rum
• 1 tablespoon simple syrup*
• 4 ounces, pineapple juice
• Juice of 1/2 lime
• 5 fresh mint leaves
• Ice
• Shaker

Add mint leaves into a shaker and muddle/smash the living heck out of it. If you do not own a muddler, a wooden spoon is not a horrible substitute. Add ice, rum, simple syrup, lime juice, and pineapple juice. Shake what your mama gave you (and the shaker) until well combined. Strain into a glass with ice - and if you're a bit of a wuss, add a splash of soda water. Or just take it like a man, add a wedge of lime and enjoy.

*Simple syrup is made by combining water and sugar in equal amounts, heating until the sugar dissolves and letting it cool. Make a large amount and keep it on hand.