BREEZY SUMMER COCKTAILS By Christy Rost Summer has officially arrived. Neighborhood children are out of school, community pools are open, and most of us are breathing a sigh of relief, thankful for summer’s slower pace. Finally, there is time to work in the garden, read that book you never seemed to have time to enjoy, float the day away on an inner tube in the pool, and relish the simplicity of summer’s relaxing daily rituals. Now’s the time to invite friends over for simple suppers or easy-does-it cocktail parties, and nothing kicks off a party better than a beautifully refreshing summer cocktail. Some of my favorite cocktails are actually non-alcoholic, but when they are served in beautiful glassware, it’s pretty hard to tell the difference. Made from a blend of fruit juices and bar mixers, and featuring sliced fruit garnishes and paper parasols, these delightful cocktails look every bit as glamorous as their alcoholic counterparts. Some of my most popular non-leaded cocktails have delectable names like Blueberry Summer Breeze, a blend of blueberry juice and sparkling lemonade, and the ever-popular Mock Frozen Mango Daiquiri, a festive frozen concoction of ripe mango, white cranberry juice, fresh lime juice, and a touch of sugar. These cocktails utilize a bartender’s secret – a mere drizzle of simple syrup to smooth out the flavors and provide a hint of sweetness. Simple syrup is a mixture of equal parts granulated sugar and water, which are stirred together and heated in a saucepan until the sugar melts. The mixture is cooled, then chilled in a covered jar until needed. Or, sip a classic cocktail inspired by the chic cocktail parties so popular in the 50’s and 60’s. Try the Sidecar, one of my signature cocktail party drinks, made from a mixture of Remy Martin Cognac VSOP, Cointreau, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup. Served in a sugar-rimmed martini glass, it adds sophistication to any summer party  .  So, let the summer begin! You will be all set for no-fuss summer parties and gatherings when you serve breezy, pretty-as-as-picture cocktails everyone will enjoy! Simple Syrup 1 cup water 1 cup sugar Combine water and sugar in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sugar melts. Cool and store in a covered jar in the refrigerator. Mixture keeps several weeks. Recipe makes 1 2/3 cups. Blueberry Summer Breeze 2 ounces blueberry juice blend* 1 ounce simple syrup Sparkling lemonade In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine blueberry juice and simple syrup, cover, and shake well to mix. Strain into cocktail glass and fill with chilled sparkling lemonade. Garnish glass with 3 blueberries. Recipe makes one cocktail. *Note: Organic blueberry juice blend is available at area Albertson’s markets. . Mock Frozen Mango Daiquiri 1 large ripe mango, peeled and sliced ¾ cup chilled white cranberry juice 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice 2 tablespoons superfine sugar ½ ounce simple syrup 2 cups ice cubes Wedges of mango, for garnish In a blender, combine the sliced mango, white cranberry juice, lime juice, sugar, and simple syrup. Blend until smooth. Add ice cubes; blend until Daiquiri is smooth and thick. Pour into goblets or Champagne flutes and garnish with a wedge of fresh mango. Recipe makes 3 cocktails. Sidecar 2 ounces Remy Martin Fine Champagne Cognac VSOP 1 ounce Cointreau 1 ounce freshly-squeezed lemon juice 1 lemon wedge ½ ounce simple syrup (optional) Multicolored sparkling sugar or granulated sugar, for garnish Fill a cocktail shaker half full with ice. Pour in cognac, Cointreau, and lemon juice. Shake the cocktail until chilled and well blended. Rub a lemon wedge around rim of a martini glass. Pour sparkling sugar onto a medium plate and shake to distribute sugar around plate. Dip rim of glass into sugar. Strain the cocktail into the glass and serve. Recipe makes 1 cocktail. Get more of Christy Rost's recipes in her archives. Click here. Do you have any questions, comments or suggestions? Email: jwdineline@aol.com