I have a certain penchant for lazing in the sun, poolside, with the zesty air of the South Seas wafting across my deck chair. Actually it's more a fantasy than a penchant since I've yet to get anywhere like that. It is a fantasy I nourish though through barbeques and garden parties. One key element to these kinds of get-together is the frosted jugs of fruity liquor. This nectar of the gods that holds no warning of the alcohol it might contain and encourages the rather risky habit of constantly refilling your glass.

This fantasy is one I like to spread around so here are a few drinks I recommend you try out (yes all of them) at your next outdoor party. Part of the tradition of these drinks is that you don't reveal the contents until after they've been consumed. This allows what might have been stricken looks to express themselves as slightly blurry bemusement.

Vodka Lemonade
No, not that fizzy red stuff you got as a kid in the pub, but the real deal. Lemons, sugar, water and the secret ingredient. Basic lemonade simply requires fresh lemon juice with sugar dissolved in it, mixed with water and chilled for a couple of hours. Here's a recipes for a slightly more interesting variety:

• 1.5 cups sugar
• half cup boiling water
• 1 tablespoon grated lemon rind
• 1.5 cups fresh lemon juice
• 5 cups cold water
• 4 shots citrus vodka
• Lemon or lime slices
• Fresh mint sprigs

Combine sugar and boiling water, stirring until sugar dissolves. Add lemon rind, lemon juice, and cold water; mix well. Chill. Add the vodka and mix well. Serve over ice. Garnish with lemon or lime slices and fresh mint sprigs. This produces about 5 glasses of lemonade; double the recipe to make more.

Sangria
This is one of my favourite chilled drinks. I first came across it done properly in a Mexican restaurant in Boston and I've never used a different recipe since. The red wine doesn't have to be good, although you should try not to go for a wine that's either too dry or too sweet.

• Two 750ml bottles of Red Wine
• Juice of 1 Orange
• Juice of 1 Lime
• half cup sugar
• 1 litre Club Soda
• Orange Slices
• Lime Slices

Mix all ingredients in chilled punch bowl with a block of ice. Before serving add club soda. Garnish with orange and lime slices. Serve by pitchers. Serves about 25.

Mimosa
This one is a tad more expensive than the others and might be best suited for an intimate little gathering rather than the neighbourhood blowout. I recommend using brut champagne.

• 3 cups Champagne.
• 1.5 cups Orange Juice
• Ice

Mix together and chill well, serve in either goblets or large champagne flutes. This recipe makes four glasses.

Pina Colada
Classically found in the hand of the hero at the end of the movie as the scene pans back on the beach. This is a rich, creamy drink and the drinker usually finds themselves unable or unwilling to move after a couple. (Note: 1oz = one eight of a cup)

• 1 oz white rum
• 1 oz Caruba dark rum
• 1 oz coconut cream
• 2 oz
• Pineapple juice
• 2 oz cream
• Slice of Pineapple
• 1 cherry

Blend ingredients over ice and strain into a large glass. Decorate with pineapple and a cherry.

Long Island Ice Tea
A potent drink best served on the rocks and sipped to appreciate the cool and extremely alcoholic flavour.

• 1.5 oz Tequila
• 1.5 oz Vodka
• 1.5 oz Gin
• 1.5 oz Rum
• 4.5 oz Coca Cola
• 1.5 oz Sour mix (Tom Collins mix or Whiskey sour mix)

This recipe will produce 12 glasses.

These are just a few of my preferred chilled drinks, but of course there are many more. Alcohol can be added to just about any variation of fruit punch to make a palatable concoction. The key elements are that it's not too sweet or bitter and that it's very cold. There is nothing worse than warm punch.

Now if you'll excuse me, the sun is shining and I have to go squeeze some lemons.

March Rogers

Email March Rogers with questions or queries about wine.