Memorial Day kicks off the start of sandals, swimsuits and surf (for the rest of the country … let’s be honest, that started four months ago in Florida). So, here are some of my favorite cocktail recipes to beat the heat with — little drink umbrella required.

“Cosmopolitan” Trendy Summer Drink

This was  recently served at a friend’s going-away barbecue, and I couldn’t get enough. So light and refreshing!

Ingredients

• Orange, lemon or lime, cut into wheels
• Ice
• 1 cup vodka
• 1 cup ginger ale
• 1 cup lemonade
• 1 cup light beer

Preparation

1. Add citrus wheels to a pitcher, then fill a third of it with ice.
2. Add vodka, lemonade and ginger ale.
3. Top with the beer.

Cherry Lemon Drop

My drink of choice this past weekend, this one will have you going back for seconds — and fifths!

Ingredients

• 1 lemon, cut into wedges
• 1 bottle cherry vodka
• 1 bottle lemonade
• Superfine sugar, on a small plate

Preparation

1. Rub lemon wedge around the rim around each glass. Put wedge aside.
2. Roll rim of the glass in superfine sugar.
3. Shake off excess sugar over sink or trash can.
4. Mix 1 part cherry vodka, two parts lemonade in glass. Top drink with lemon wedge.

Super-Easy Sangria 

Your summer just isn’t complete without the Spanish-inspired flavors of sangria. Delicioso!

Ingredients

• Ice
• 1 bottle of chilled red wine
• 1 lemon, cut into wedges
• 1 orange, cut into wedges
• 2 Tbsp. sugar
• 1 shot brandy
• 2 cups ginger ale or club soda

Preparation:

1. Add ice to the pitcher first, and then pour wine into it.
2. Squeeze the juice wedges from the lemon and orange into the wine.
3. Toss in the fruit wedges (leaving out seeds if possible) and add sugar and brandy.
4. Add ginger ale or club soda just before serving.