It’s summer. It’s hot. You’re hosting a party and want something a little different on the drinks menu, but …. It’s hot.

 Maybe it’s time to pick up some cordials and liqueurs.

 Nothing says summer like fruit flavors, and liqueurs in general are a fantastic way to mix up some lighter, refreshing cocktails, either in flavors you can’t quite manage otherwise, or with a little less alcohol—a great option when it’s so hot outside. Lower-alcohol drinks can be more refreshing and they can be lower in calories, without slowing you down. Not all of them are light on the proof, of course, but all of them pack in the flavor.

 Mixing fruit flavored liqueurs such as peach schnapps (Dekuyper Peach is a classic choice with orange) with fruit juice will give you a light, refreshing cocktail; add an ounce of Watermelon Pucker to vodka with ice in a shaker and pour out a watermelon martini. Another favorite is to add an ounce of 99 Blackberries to lemon-lime soda for an Italian soda with a twist. Muddle some fresh berries into the bottom if you like.

 New to our shelves is Fragoli Wild Strawberry liqueur in a smaller size if you’ve been putting off buying a full-size bottle. Add an ounce to 4 ounces of prosecco (we love Collalto!) for the perfect brunch or cocktail hour sparkler.  Popular in Italy, a prosecco spritzer made with 2 parts Aperol, 3 parts prosecco, a splash of soda over ice.

You can add another touch of fruit by freezing fruit into ice cubes for any drink you'll be pouring over ice--anything from lemonade to a mixed drink. Simply fill the ice cube tray about 1/3 full with water and freeze partly (just under solid is perfect). Add the fruit: a small lemon slice, raspberry, even maraschino cherries if the recipe calls for them. Then finish filling the tray with water and freeze.

Don't you just love summer?