SUMMERTIME TEA

Beating the heat with iced tea is a time-honored Southern tradition. Surely Scarlett O'Hara procrastinated aplenty with glass in hand. Yeah, an unleaded version works just fine. But liven it up with the Gin & Tea-Nic. Iced tea meets Wet gin by Beefeater, simple syrup, lemon juice and tonic water. Can't have one today? That'll work. After all, tomorrow's another day.

(ENLARGE)
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GO GRAPEFRUIT

Absolut has yet another flavored vodka behind the bar: the grapefruit-inspired Ruby Red. Throughout July and August, Morton's, the Steakhouse (3379 Peachtree Road N.E., Atlanta) serves the Ruby, a mix of Absolut Ruby Red, triple sec and grapefruit and lime juices. On July 14, celebrate the new booze in style at a special cocktail reception. Plop down $35 to sample cocktails like the Ruby and the Absolut Ruby Red Cosmopolitan while noshing on filet mignon sandwiches and mini crab cakes.

REACH NIRVANA

Nirvana Café and Grille (10930 Crabapple Road, Roswell) turns the old-school Bellini on its ear. Staying in step with summer, its Frozen Mango Bellini is a frosty blend of sparkling white wine and frozen mango purée. But remember this ain't New Orleans. Even though Nirvana has a drive-through window, you have to order the frozen cocktail inside.

— Jon Waterhouse