Summertime is all about catching rays, grilling and working up a thirst. Here are our top seven summer drinks (including one of Andrew's favorite recipes) to get the party started.

Cascal's Fermented Natural Soda

As much as we love grape soda, there are those moments that call for something a bit more "grown up." Cascal makes sodas that bridge the gap between fine wines and Mr. Pibb. It’s made with real fruit juices, no added sugar and no preservatives. It’s also non-alcoholic, so feel free to sip on it at the kids’ soccer games. The Fine Dry with Notes of Apple and Anise flavor is to die for-- nowhere in even in the ballpark of sickly sweet. It's this summer's go-to bev in our office. 

Blenheim Ginger Ale

Why does the zing of ginger and carbonation hit the spot ona hot summer day? We're not sure, but folks in perpetually warm climates seem toagree. Though many great ginger beers come from Jamaica and Bermuda, I'm inlove with Blenheim’s version, straight out of South Carolina. A swig of theirOld #3 Hot has been likened to a “firecracker exploding in your throat.” What can we say? In this case, a little pain is good. Not sure if you like your sodapop blazing hot? Belnheim bottles a #5 Not As Hot version of the original. 

AriZona Iced Tea’s Arnold Palmer

A friend introduced Molly to this gem on a recent road tripto lovely Bismarck, ND (don’t ask). We couldn’t believe how great this drink is—not too sugary, and the ‘lite” version offers only 150 calories for a 24-ouncetall boy of refreshment. Added bonus: It’s available at most convenience storesfor a mere 99 cents. Seriously, get a can before you drive up to the lake thisweekend and you’ll be hooked. Be sure to shake the can really well beforeopening. It’s not carbonated, so it won’t explode (and won’t go flat if you drink some now and save some in the fridge for later).

PS At quick glance, could Arnie’s photo on the can pass for George W.’s doppelganger? Just sayin’.

Southsider

Here’s Andrew’s favorite summertime drink to concoct at home. The mint and lime combo add an element of tart and sweet refreshment. If you like booze, add a few ounces of your favorite amber rum, small batch burbon or luxe vodka.

¾ cups fresh mint leaves
4T Fresh squeezed lime juice
½ cup frozen Minute Maid Lime-Aide concentrate
4 cups ice
3T sugar (some people like it sweeter)
½ cup warm water

Combine all ingredients in a blender. Puree to a granita consistency and serve.

Michelada

Everyone’s all fired up about the michelada lately, and we don’t blame them. It’s a nice upgrade from a regular old beer, and accompanied by a dash of hot sauce and lime juice, its tasty as heck. We got our mitts on the El Toro recipe from Barrio Tequila Bar in the Twin Cities. Served over ice with a salted rim, you won’t be able to drink a barley pop any other way this summer. And yes, in this specific case, beer and ice do play well together.

This recipe makes a pretty large batch. Either halve it, or keep some in your fridge to dress up your brewskis any time you like.

El Toro Mix
4 oz Sauza Gold tequila
1 oz Valentina extra hot sauce
2 teaspoons of kosher salt
4 oz orange juice concentrate
16 oz lime sweet and sour
4 oz fresh lime juice

To make the cocktails
Rim the pint glass with salt
Fill half way with ice
Add 1 oz of the mix
Fill glass with about 5 oz of Dos Equis Especial
Drink 

Margarita

Since you’re already salting your glasses, let’s talk margs. There’s nothing more foul than a syrupy, faux-lime blended margarita (sorry guys, I’m an “on the rocks” kind of gal). A friend shared this killer recipe with us and it’s so simple, it’s almost a joke. Patron Silver works well here, but if you don’t want to dole out that kind of dinero, any clear tequila willwork.

1 can frozen Lime-aide from concentrate
12 oz. Patron (use the Lime-aide can to measure)
1 bottle Mexican beer (Corona or Dos Equis works perfectly)
1 can lemon-lime soda (try 7-up or Sprite)
Lime slices to garnish
Serve over ice.

CrispinHard Apple Cider

Polish off a pint of most ciders and it’s gut rot city. So when we sampled Crispin Hard Apple Cider, we was psyched: light, refreshing, and not overly-sweet. What’s more, Crispin makes a lightversion that still offers great flavor, but packs a mere 110 calories perbottle and 3.2 percent ABV—that makes for a perfect day drinking beverage in mybook. Did we also mention both are naturally fermented and gluten free? Lucky for us, the stuff is made in the Twin Cities, but if you’re from outside Minnesota, check out the Crispin site for more info.