Whether you’re vacationing at the beach, or relaxing in the back yard, or on the balcony of your apartment building, a great way to chase away some of that summer heat is to enjoy a nice cold blended summer cocktail. The options are only limited by your imagination and your ability to search for new recipes.

More than the average chilled drink, a cocktail blended with ice or even ice cream is the perfect way to add some chill to triple digit temperatures. You can by the pre-mixed versions, but why waste the opportunity to toss in some of summer’s best fresh fruits?

Keep in mind that your home blender may not be able to handle ice or frozen fruit. So add them slowly until they’ve been reduced. That makes for easier blending.

Here are some great recipes for summer blended drinks. Keep in mind that these are just the basics. Recipe books or websites will give you plenty of other variations that will fit your mood and your theme.

Or you can experiment and make your own version. Who knows? You just might develop the next sensation in frozen blender drinks.

Frozen Margarita

While no one knows for sure, it is generally accepted that the Margarita was invented in Mexico in 1941 by a bartender named Don Carlos Orozco.

This is the basic lime version. But there are plenty of other flavor options available.

What you’ll need:

1 cup of ice

1 1/2 oz. tequila

1/2 oz. Triple Sec

1/2 oz. lime juice

3 oz. sour mix

Lime wedges for garnish

Salt for the glass rim (optional)

What to do:

Pour the ingredients into the blender

Blend until smooth

Salt the rim of a chilled margarita glass (salt is optional)

Pour the contents into the glass

Garnish with the lime wedge

Pi