DRINKS TO LIFT YOUR SPIRITS.

Byline: Andy Badeker Chicago Tribune 

In hot weather the primary job of the beverage commissioner is to slake thirst: A cooler of beer, gallons of iced tea, fizzy water and some light wine in the fridge just about cover the bases.

But when the sun sets and a breeze stirs, thoughts of a refreshing cocktail might occur. Chances are it will be made with one of the ``white spirits,'' the colorless distillates that seem especially appropriate this time of year, especially when paired with various mixers.

Recognizing that even the venerable whatever-and-tonic can get a little tired after a month of front-line duty, we offer four reinforcements, one each with gin, rum, vodka and tequila. Two are veterans - the Negroni and the Beachcomber. One, the vodka Cosmopolitan, is a popular newcomer, and the Berta is a margarita-esque import from Mexico.

NEGRONI

1/4 cup EACH gin, Campari and sweet vermouth 

Club soda (optional)

Ice

Lemon twists for garnish

Pour gin, Campari, vermouth and soda into a cocktail shaker. Stir to mix.

Pour into old-fashioned glasses half-filled with ice. Garnish with lemon twists. Makes 2 servings.

NUTRITION INFORMATION PER SERVING: 215 calories; 0 grams fat; 7 grams carbohydrates; 0 grams protein; 0 milligrams cholesterol.

BEACHCOMBER

Lime wedge

Superfine sugar

Ice cubes

1/3 cup light rum

2 teaspoons fresh lime juice

2 teaspoons triple sec

2 teaspoons maraschino liqueur (see Note)

Moisten rims of 2 cocktail glasses with lime wedge. Press rims into saucer of sugar to coat. Fill a cocktail shaker half full of ice cubes and add all remaining ingredients.

Shake to mix and strain into glasses. Makes 2 servings.

NOTE: Maraschino liqueur is available at some liquor stores or substitute kirsch.

NUTRITION INFORMATION PER SERVING: 125 calories; 0 grams fat; 5 grams carbohydrates; 0 grams protein; 5 grams carbohydrates; 0 milligrams cholesterol; 1 milligram sodium.

COSMOPOLITAN

Vodka dominates gin in the resurgent martini market, says Jeff Johnson, bartender and manager at Club Lucky in Chicago. The flavorless spirit is popular in other cocktails as well. Johnson's version of the Cosmopolitan uses Absolut Citron and Cointreau.

lemon-flavored vodka

2 tablespoons triple sec

Splash cranberry juice

Orange slices for garnish

Pour all ingredients, except orange slices, into a cocktail shaker half full of ice.

Stir and strain into chilled cocktail glasses. Makes 2 servings.

NUTRITION INFORMATION PER SERVING: 125 calories; 0 grams fat; 5 grams carbohydrates; 0 grams protein; 0 milligrams cholesterol; 1 milligram sodium.

BERTA

This tart, refreshing drink is Taxco, Mexico's, answer to the margarita. Serve it as a prelude to any Mexican-style dinner party.

3 tablespoons honey OR to taste

1 cup fresh lime juice

1/3 cup tequila

2 tablespoons grenadine (optional)

Lime wedges for garnish

Pour honey into a cocktail shaker. Add 1/2 of lime juice; stir to dissolve honey.

Stir in remaining lime juice, tequila and grenadine.

Pour into 2 tall glasses filled with ice. Garnish with lime wedges. Makes 2 servings.

NUTRITION INFORMATION PER SERVING: 245 calories; 0 grams fat; 45 grams carbohydrates; 0.5 grams protein; 0 milligrams cholesterol; 16 milligrams sodium.

CAPTION(S):

Photo

Photo: (Color) Cocktails can refresh on a sultry day. To pi ck up spirits, try the Negroni, from left, the Beachcomber, the Cosmopolitan or the Berta.

James F. Quinn/Chicago Tribune