By Popular Request (Strawberry Lemonade)

In addition to cookies at the yard sale, we also offered strawberry lemonade, raspberry limeade, and iced peppermint tea. The lemonade was by far the favorite of the day and I found myself running back and forth to the kitchen to refresh our supply, many times. The benefit of repetition is that I had lots of practice perfecting the recipe, which is handy, because now people keep asking for it. I apologize for doubling down on drink recipes, but 'tis the season.

Ready for summer

Something Borrowed (Ginger Peach Peppermint Juleps)

This post is also available as an article in the 5/30/2012 Williamsport Sun Gazette.

Last year, during our annual 4th of July barbecue with friends Laura and Geoff, I played bartender for our taste test of potential signature cocktails for their wedding. I believe I insisted on mojitos as a contender, which everyone liked, but just didn't fit. There was also the Vodka Lola, a fruity little number spiked with elderflower liqueur. Tasty, but we agreed it was potentially offensive to the masculine dignity of some guests. After several misfires and false starts, magic happened: the ginger peach peppermint julep.

Can you see the appeal?

Libation for Celebration (Raspberry Rose Bellinis)

This might surprise my college friends, but I'm no longer much of a drinker. One drink gets me tipsy, at one and a half I consider myself officially drunk. At least I'm a cheap date. With New Year's around the corner, though, something bubbly is definitely in order.

Upon closer inspection...