On these hot and humid summer days, I was inspired by the hydrant puzzle to create a refreshing and cooling drink. I’m a big fan of low alcohol content drinks as well, which can be quite tasty and just might be the perfect refreshment for a lazy weekend by the pool or at the beach. This one couldn’t be simpler, which is just another bonus for a summer drink.

The drink takes its provenance from a famous modern classic invented by Naren Young of Dante in New York called the Garibaldi. That drink is so named after Giuseppe Garibaldi, an Italian General and central figure in Italy’s unification of 1861 which brought north and south together. The cocktail, a simple equal parts mix of fresh orange juice (representing Sicily / the South) and Campari (representing Milan / the North), is a fan favorite and has attained a bit of cult status lately. It works well as a frozen drink, too, which is where we are headed next. I modified the concept using strawberry lemonade, which can be achieved with fresh lemon juice, water, simple syrup and muddled ripe berries, or with a premade mix- go for easy in the summer! The ratios need to be amped up for the frozen version since the ice will dilute things considerably. This one will keep you cool all season. Cheers!

Fire Hydrant

4 oz fresh strawberry lemonade

(1:1:3 ration lemon:sugar:water with muddled berries)

1 ½ oz Campari

1 ½ cups of crushed ice

Blend ingredients and pour into a favorite glass. Lemon wheel or lemon hydrant garnish.