Lime

Rachel English of Atlanta, Georgia, writes: "My husband and I both love to cook (and eat), so we were excited when we heard that local chef Kevin Rathbun was opening a new restaurant, called Rathbun's, not too far from our house. We stopped by for dinner a few weeks ago and absolutely loved the fried shrimp appetizer. I just have to have the recipe." The restaurant also prepares this dish with chicken and tofu. The flavorful Thai-inspired batter gets its kick from makrut lime leaves, curry paste, and ginger ale.

This recipe sponsored by Black Swan Vineyards

Sweet and fruity, this is the quintessential beach or poolside drink.

A base used for making Margaritas

Dipping the rims of the glasses into a mixture of salt and sugar is a nice touch.

Luis Miguel López Alanís of Morelia, Mexico, writes: "Although I grew up in Mexico, it was in Chicago of all places that I learned to cook Mexican food. During the two years I lived there, I missed my country's food so much that I wrote to my mother in Zitácuaro and asked her to send me recipes so I could cook for myself. "Now I work as a tour guide in Michoacán, my home state, where I lead tours on Morelia's colonial history and architecture, and show tourists the Paricutín Volcano and monarch butterfly sanctuaries. And sometimes I do restaurant and market tours. Whenever business slows down, I enjoy cooking for my family. " Mexico is known for its aguas frescas, delicious cold "waters" made simply from fruits or vegetables, water, and sugar. They're the perfect refreshment on a hot day.

This refreshing, sunrise-tinted juice can be blended and chilled one day ahead.

The mai tai was invented in 1944 at the original Trader Vic's restaurant in Oakland, California. There are many variations of the drink, including this mint-accented version. Look for almond syrup in the coffee-and-tea section of the supermarket.

(RICE WINE AND GINGER ALE COCKTAILS)

We thought we would update the popular Cosmopolitan by substituting Champagne for the usual lemon vodka. We garnished the drinks with skewers of sugar-coated fresh cranberries (thawed frozen ones will work just fine, too).

This is the traditional planter's punch that follows the old rhyme: One of sour (lime juice), two of sweet (sugar), three of strong (rum), four of weak (ice or water).