Midsummer’s Night (far left)

Absinthe might be known as the Green Fairy, but this drink will go down much easier on a sweltering summer evening.

Galliano is a vanilla liqueur that adds an unexpected yet delicious element to this cocktail, and the blueberries should hang suspended in the drink like will-o’-the-wisps.

One of these beverages won’t have you seeing sprites, but be careful —have a few, and you could become “that merry wanderer of the night,” to quote Shakespeare’s mischievous fairy Puck.

• 1 oz vodka
• 1/3 oz Galliano
• 2 oz cranberry juice
• 2 oz tart lemonade
• Fresh blueberries

1. Over ice, combine ingredients. Stir in a swirl of fresh blueberries.

Aperol Fizz (middle)

Just like September, the Italian aperitif Aperol manages to be bitter and sweet at the same time.

The liquor is also fairly low in alcohol, so you can drink it on a sunny patio without fear.

Try not to think of how few alfresco days you have left — Canadian winters are long, but they only make summer all the sweeter.

Hopefully the vitamin C in the orange juice will inoculate you against cold season.

• 1 ½ oz. Aperol
• 3 oz orange juice
• 2 oz soda water
• Orange or grapefruit slice

1. In a rocks glass with ice, pour Aperol, orange juice and soda water. Stir, and garnish with a setting sun of orange or grapefruit.

Elderflower Lemonade

Though potent, this makes for a long, refreshing libation during the languid days of August.

Elderflower and lemon go together like a heat wave and a day off. Sadly, this recipe doesn’t include a hammock to drink it in, and you probably won’t find kids selling this particular lemonade for 50 cents a glass on your street.

Speaking of which, it’s too hot to bother with homemade lemonade, so just buy some at the store.

• 1 1/2 oz Hendrick’s gin
• 1/2 oz St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur
• 3 oz lemonade
• 3 oz soda water
• Two lemon wedges

1. In a tall glass filled with ice, add all ingredients. Then squeeze two lemon wedges in and stir gently.

All drinks by Joe Howell, head bartender at  Toronto’s The Spoke Cub.