The venerable G & T might as well be on Imperial Black’s logo. Still, every now and then one must move beyond the comfort zone, Here are five of our favorites for the steamy months ahead. 1 Grapefruit, Thyme, and Lillet Cocktail 2 oz. fresh squeezed grapefruit juice 1 1/2 oz. lillet blanc, chilled 1 oz. dry gin 1 oz. thyme simple syrup, chilled (recipe below) Ice Wedges of grapefruit and sprigs of fresh thyme, for garnish Optional: splash of club soda or tonic water, to taste For the thyme simple syrup: 1 cup sugar 1 cup water 8-10 sprigs fresh thyme 2. Cucumber Collins This isn’t the sickly sweet Country Club stand by that has been pervasive poolside for generations. This one is simple, to the point, and wildly refreshing. 5 cucumber sticks 1 oz fresh lemon juice 1 oz simple syrup Muddle above ingredients, then add: 2 oz Hendricks Gin plenty of ice Shake Pour over tall glass of Ice. Top of remainder with Club Soda, Garnish with mint. Turn on some Mojave 3 or Jackpot, think cool. Almost wants you to get back into a freshly ironed shirt again………. 3. Tabernacle Crush One part American South, one part south of France 1/2 large peach, sliced 6 small basil leaves, plus more for garnish 1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice 1 1/2 ounces gin 1 ounce Lillet 1/2 ounce simple syrup Ice Club soda In a tall glass, muddle the peach with the 6 basil leaves and the lemon juice. Add the gin, Lillet and simple syrup. Add ice cubes and top with club soda. Garnish with basil. 4 Dark n’ Stormy A reminder of Bermuda clubs, madras shorts, and the tingle of too much sun at day’s end. 1 1/2 oz. of Gosling’s Black Seal Dark Rum 4-6 oz. of Barritt’s Ginger Beer lime wedge garnish, optional Pour over ice and listen to the murmurings of the children out on the sleeping porch as they dress for dinner… 5 Hemingway’s Floridita Daiquiri Hemingway’s favorite and a time honored tradition at the Floridita in Havana. Perfect for quenching a summers thirst and thinking about revolution brewing up in the hills. 2 ounces light rum, such as Flor de Caña Extra Dry 4 Year 3/4 ounce fresh lime juice 1/2 ounce fresh grapefruit juice 1/2 ounce maraschino liqueur Combine all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake vigorously for 10 seconds. Strain the contents into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.