1st day of summer, the beginning of the summer solstice and the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer solstice is a result of the Earth's north-south axis being tilted 23.5 degrees relative tot he sun. The tilt causes different amounts of sunlight to reach different regions of the planet.

During this time the Northern Hemishpere receives more sunlight than on any other day of the year, but that doesn't mean the first day of summer is also the hottest day summer.  The earth's oceans and atmosphere act like heat sinks, absorbing and rereadiating the sun's rays over time.  So even thought the planet is absorbing lots of sunlight on the summer solstice, it takes several weeks to release it. As a result, the hottest days of summer usually occur in July or August.

Summer has officially begin...enjoy a cool refreshing relaxing iced tea

Sassy Lady Iced Tea

1/2 oz white rum

1/2 oz gin

1/2 oz tequila

1/2 oz triple sec

1 oz. orange juice

1 oz. white tea w/ a hint of mint

Top with a splash of cranberry juice

Garnish with a mint leaf and a lime wedge

Photo Source: Sippitysup

First day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere

In general, the four seasons correspond to the relative position of the sun to the earth. Meteorological determination of spring is calculated according to when the sun passes through the equatorial plane. When going from winter to spring, the sun is moving north; as soon as the sun crosses the equator, we call it spring. (This applies to places north of the equator.)

Persian Rose

2 oz Gin

1 3/4 oz  *sweet lemon* juice (not regular lemon, not Meyer lemon)**

1/2 oz lem juice

1/2 oz Cherry Herring (can substitue other cherry-flavored liqueur)

1/4 oz rosewater

1/4 oz agave nectar (can substitute simple syrup)

Tools: cocktail shaker, strainer

Glass: chilled cocktail glass or coupe

Garnish: rose petal

Place ingredients in a shaker filled wiht ice and shake well. Strain into your glass and garnish with a rose petal.

**Sweet lemons can be found at many middle eastern grocers. They may look like lemons but they don't taste anything like regular lemons, as they have a subtle honey-like sweetness and none of the sourness that's characteristics of both regular and Meyer lemons.

Drink & Photo Source: www.umamimart.com