Ahh, Memorial Day.  That most American of holidays when we honor our fallen soldiers by eating our weight in hot dogs and sipping cold cocktails on the porch.  Pools are open, schools are (almost) out, and my garage is once again host to a large colony of mosquitoes.  So break out the hammock, crack the spine of your latest Algonquin read, and drink a toast to our men in uniform with this fresh summer cocktail.  Just don’t forget the citronella candles.

Mai Tai

1 oz. light rum

1 oz. dark rum

1/2 oz. Grand Marnier

1 oz. lime juice

1/2 orgeat (almond-flavored syrup)

1/2 oz. simple syrup

1 mint sprig

Fresh fruit (orange slice, pineapple chunk, etc.)

Pour all ingredients (except mint and fruit) into a cocktail shaker filled with ice cubes.  Shake, and then strain into a chilled double Old-Fashioned glass filled with cracked ice.  Garnish with mint sprig and fruit.

— From Hemingway and Bailey’s Bartending Guide to Great American Writers