EAST SETAUKET, N.Y. - eTradeWire -- As the first real warmth of the year begins to unfold across Long Island, NY, the late spring and early summer season invites a shift in our drinking habits. Gone are the mulled wines and hot toddies of winter; in their place come refreshing, citrus-forward, and visually striking cocktails that brighten up patios, backyard barbecues, and seaside picnics. At Mora's Fine Wine & Spirits, this is the favorite time of year to rediscover the classics — those iconic, time-tested recipes that speak to tradition and ingenuity, but also offer boundless room for creativity.

Let's kick things off with the reigning warm-weather champion: the Margarita. Much like jazz or pizza, the Margarita's simplicity makes it a canvas for endless variation, but the original recipe still reigns supreme when done right. The history of the Margarita is a little fuzzy — several bartenders and stories claim credit — but the drink likely emerged sometime in the 1930s or '40s along the U.S.-Mexico border. The classic Margarita requires just three ingredients: 2 oz of good-quality blanco tequila, 1 oz of Cointreau (or another orange liqueur), and 1 oz of freshly squeezed lime juice. Shake it with ice, strain it into a salt-rimmed coupe or rocks glass, and you have summer in a sip. The secret to a perfect Margarita lies in balance: the brightness of lime, the sweetness and depth of the orange liqueur, and the earthy backbone of agave.

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For a premium experience, we love using tequila from smaller producers who focus on traditional methods and 100% blue agave distillates. Whether you want to riff on the original with mezcal, infuse your salt rim with chili powder, or throw in a splash of seasonal fruit purée, the Margarita can handle it all.

Next on the seasonal menu is the ever-enchanting Aviation cocktail. Though not as ubiquitous as the Margarita, this early 20th-century concoction is one of those drinks that cocktail geeks (and Mora's customers, we know you're out there) adore for its history and hauntingly beautiful appearance. First published in Hugo Ensslin's 1916 "Recipes for Mixed Drinks," the Aviation originally included gin, maraschino liqueur, lemon juice, and Crème de Violette — a violet liqueur that gives the drink its signature pale purple hue …

https://www.moraswines.com/kick-off-summer-with-cocktails/