TAKE A SEC TO ENJOY SUMMER

The temperature is rising, the grass is growing, the sky's a rumbling and the bugs are out, so guess what, it must be summer!  This weekend we celebrated many things including the arrival of the bright, steamy, sultry days of the season.  To toast the summer of 2012 in style, we decided to kick back and rest for a while.  What better way to do that, I say, than with a delicious, cold cocktail, so my summer favorite is back for a little visit...the sidecar!
HOW ABOUT IT?  It's incredibly easy to make and lovely to enjoy on a hot day.  The sidecar uses three simple ingredients; Brandy, Triple Sec and fresh lemon juice.  While the recipe calls for 1.5 ounces of Brandy, 1.5 ounces of Triple Sec and .5 ounces of fresh lemon juice, I prefer to add amounts to taste.  I mix in a cocktail shaker full of ice then pour into a sugar-rimmed glass (place sugar on small plate, wet lip of glass and dip in sugar).  CHEERS TO THAT!
QUICK TIP: For cool summer drinks, make ice cubes out of cranberry juice, orange juice and other favorites then add to a glass with vodka and soda for a special twist to an old favorite!