I’ve always liked a Tom Collins. It’s crisp, refreshing and light, an easy classic to make: gin, lemon juice, sugar, and soda water. I tried an updated version, the Cucumber Collins, and now it’s my go to drink.

Made with Hendrick’s Gin and muddled with cucumbers, you have a refreshing concoction that makes you forget whatever misery the sun had inflicted moments before.  Here’s how you can have one:

1 1/2 oz Hendrick’s Gin

4 1/2 oz cucumber puree*

Shake ingredients with ice in mixing glass and strain over fresh ice in tall Collins glass. Top it off with soda water. Garnish with a slice of cucumber.

*To make cucumber puree: blend 1 cucumber with 3 oz lemon juice and 4 oz simple syrup

I had planned to be there for only a short while and needed something to give me a kick, something to stir the consciousness. Beer wouldn’t do it but a Manhattan would – a classic that gets the job done. The attractive waitress purred rye or bourbon? Wild Turkey Rye please.

This classic originated from its namesake, Manhattan, during the 1870′s. It carries the legacy as one of the earliest cocktails created, bringing with it a bold flavor heavy on attitude and elegance. Popularized by upper class Manhattanites and celebrities during the 50′s and 60′s, its slipped into the background but shouldn’t be ignored.

There are many methods to make a Manhattan, but the basic, traditional model can never go wrong, the other variations based on personal preference. A Manhattan is a combination of Angostura bitters, Italian vermouth and rye whiskey. Some prefer bourbon, but go with rye (Wild Turkey, Canadian Club, Crown Royal, Old Overholt) as the foundation. Otherwise it’s too sweet, no longer having the combination which contrasts perfectly with each other. The bold rye whiskey is slightly masked by the sweet vermouth, the bitters adding a punch. It’s shaken with ice, poured into a chilled cocktail glass and garnished with a cherry. Some prefer it on the rocks, served in an old fashioned glass.

Here’s how you can have one at home:

• 2 ounces rye whiskey
• 1 ounce Italian sweet vermouth
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• glass type: cocktail or old fashioned

We’ll recommend a libation now and then, to help get you through that situation that may require something stronger or bolder than your usual choice of brew. If you have any recommendations, please let us know.