Time for a Cool Change: Refreshing Cocktails to Beat the Heat

It’s hot out there! We’re in the thick of it now. Wherever in the Northern Hemisphere you may read this, it’s likely that there’s no escape from the sweltering summer weather.

You know what helps? Quenching your thirst. Yes, hydration is vital, but we certainly don’t need to retire our favorite spirits just because of the heat. Instead, it helps to focus on drinks with lighter profiles, plenty of effervescence, and less alcohol.

Summer’s a great time to play with cocktails—such as the reverse martini, where the dry vermouth takes the lead and the base of gin or vodka becomes the background singer. Lower-ABV cocktail ingredients are ideal for cookouts and other daytime soirees, so partygoers can enjoy multiple drinks without getting too intoxicated too quickly. And while frozen cocktails may be all the rage for poolside, seaside, or lakeside fun, they’re also loaded with sugar that can obscure other flavors.