Mario Batali's Summer Cocktail Recipes

Lifestyle Mirror|Aug. 20, 2013 1:55 pm EST

There's no question Mario Batali knows a thing or two about Italian cooking, but this mastermind's breadth of knowledge doesn't stop there. He also knows a thing or two about how to make a killer summer playlist, a damn good book reading list, and maybe the most important thing about summer — a well-balanced cocktail.

From the simplest spritz to a grown-up Slurpee, we're turning to this culinary expert, and general haver of fun, for a lesson on how to mix drinks this season. Look out below for Batali's favorite summer cocktail recipes.

Aperol Spritz
Fill a glass halfway with prosecco. Add a spritz of soda then two dashes of Aperol. Garnish with a slice of orange and an olive (or two). Sip and repeat.

Rhubarb Gin and Tonic
Cut 2 pounds of rhubarb into 1-inch pieces and poach for five minutes in simple syrup (3 cups each sugar and water). Strain the mixture and reserve the rhubarb for a crisp. Strain the syrup through cheesecloth, then mix 1½ ounces each gin and rhubarb syrup over ice. Fill the glass with tonic and finish with lime.

Bellini-Slurpee Hybrid
Seed and skin a honeydew melon and dice into quarters. Purée half with 1 cup of ice and ½ cup of simple syrup. Reserve the remaining cubes and place in the freezer. Pour ½ cup of the purée into a chilled pilsner glass and fill with prosecco to within an inch of the top. Drop in 5 melon cubes, wait 45 seconds, and imbibe.