Cool off with a refreshing cocktail splash

excuse us a moment, mopping sweat. OK, better.

As we were saying, with summer fully upon us, it's only natural that our appetites demand less. We crave lighter fare when we do eat, and the colder the accoutrements, the better. Perhaps that is why enjoying an occasional cocktail by the pool (or a friend's pool in our case) is just what the season demands.

Some historians claim the first known printed cocktail recipe was written in 1862 by Jerry Thomas of the old Occidental Hotel in San Francisco. He named his creation the Martinez after a mining town. It was a cold concoction of gin, vermouth, maraschino and bitters. The martini was born. Yet, the word cocktail has been found in several publications dating back to 1803.

Today's cocktails are a long shot from what they used to be. Now mixologists, rather than bartenders, create fresh and bright flavors using just about anything found in a kitchen.

We culinarians, rather than cooks, are lucky enough to have a good friend who was a bartender back in the day. She's now got some big fancy director job at some kind of performing arts place in downtown Tampa. And her name happens to be Summer.

She created these little beauties for a lazy poolside afternoon. They reminded us of aqua fresca, with a little kick and a whole lot easier. Garnish with fresh fruit and lunch is taken care of, too!

SUMMER'S COCKTAIL

(Created by Summer Bohnenkamp-Jenkins)

Makes four 16-ounce glasses

1 fresh pineapple, skin and core removed

8 ounces premium vodka

48 ounces Crystal Light Pomegranate Cherry drink mix, made per package instructions

Crushed ice

¼ fresh watermelon, sliced into small triangles

Cut cleaned pineapple into medium chunks. Using a hand-held potato masher, mash pineapple until well crushed. Add Vodka. Stir well. Add prepared Crystal Light drink mix. Stir well. Place in fridge for at least one hour.

Fill 16-ounce glasses halfway with crushed ice. Pour cocktail over ice. Garnish with watermelon slices.