Cool Drinks For Hot Days

Steamy weather calls for ice cold drinks.Nothing beats a fruity, flavorful libation, savored slowly as the summer sun sets.Stick with classic cocktails or try something new.As long as it chills you beat the heat, that's all that matters. Summer drink season was definitely on the minds of the editors at the Wednesday Dining section of The New York Times.The issue is dedicated almost entirely to all sorts of tasty liquid treats.Contributors from Rosie Schaap to Florence Fabricant and The Pour"s Eric Asimov guide readers through the easy alleyways of warm weather cocktails and aperitifs.Rosie Schaap has a whole liquor cabinet of fun to make drinks.There is a rule however if there are more than three ingredients ,then save the drink for fall.A true hot weather drink should be easy to make and uncomplicated in flavor.She suggests tequila and watermelon.Watermelon is the epitome of summer fruit and together Is a great party drink.The fruit is pureed and then added to an ice filled glass.After it the liquor along with a pinch of sea salt and a squeeze of lime.A pin a colada, that perennial poolside libation, is also included.This is simple concoction .Golden rum and pineapple juice along with Coco Lopez is blended together to create heaven.If you want to be truly decadent ,add whipped cream and pineapple slices to this. Summer drinking also means festive punches and sophisticated wines.Maria Newman contributes a trio of punches,suitable for any grown up soirée.What makes a good warm weather punch? According to the author of the book! Punch David Woodrich ,it's fruit, spice and spirits like rum, gin and even white wine.The recipes included are easy to follow and don't call for wild ingredients.For a Sunday shower or birthday party try the delightfully refreshing and aptly named Brunch Punch.This is a heavy dose of grapefruit juice mixed with vermouth,Campari, and gin.Florence Fabricant adds to the issue with her maraschino based drinks.Summer would be nothing without a chilled glass of wine.Eric Asimov gives some excellent suggestions such as Italian .French and Spanish sparklers.Try the star of Spain"s Basque region,Txakolina or Northern Italy's fruity Lambruscos.For sheer summery sophistication ,chill a bottle of Beaujolais from surise, surprise, the trendy East End of Long Island. Summer is a time of easy living and fun, relaxing drinks.Chill bottle of wine or create a tasty cocktail and sit back.Enjoy the sunset or pool with a glass of something marvelous and coo Ing.