As I frolicked on the beach, with a cocktail, complete with brightly colored paper umbrella, in one hand and handsome catch of the day, sporting the latest trend in Hawaiian print board shorts, on my other side, I started thinking about the variety of spring break alcoholic beverages that allow for the week-long haze that consumes college students nationwide. This week I decided to forego the cooking section and to focus on these tropical drink recipes.

Cuba Libre: Contrary to popular belief, a Cuba Libre is NOT just a rum and coke. This drink is usually made with Diet Coke and is always served with a lime. During those days in the sun and heat, it is a great alternative to the classic rum and coke because it is not as sweet, so it will not give you the same stomachache and lethargy often associated with its sister drink. Either dark rum or light rum both work equally well. Use a half of a lime and rub the juices around rim of glass. Squeeze the rest of the limejuice into a glass, half full with ice, and garnish the drink with a lime wedge. Pour Diet Coke and one or two shots of rum into the glass and mix.

Daiquiri: Everyone knows and loves frozen daiquiris. Even children and teenagers like to enjoy them: virgin, of course. This frozen drink comes in a variety of flavors, but the old standby and, in my opinion the best tasting, is strawberry. Collect ? oz. strawberry schnapps, 1 oz. light rum (this rum usually has no color, i.e. Malibu or Bacardi), 1 oz. lime juice, 1 tsp. powdered sugar, 1 oz strawberries (best to use frozen) and ice. Mix everything in a blender and serve. Or if you prefer the easy way, then you can buy daiquiri and all you need to add is alcohol and ice!

Pi?na Colada: This is another well-known and popular frozen drink and can be made from scratch or with a store bought mix. Round up 3 oz. light rum, 3 tbsp coconut milk, 3 tbsp pineapple (crushed) and 2 cups ice (crushed is best, but not necessary). Put all of the ingredients into a blender and blend at high speed until there are no chunks of fruit or ice. Garnish with a wedge of pineapple, if desired.

Caiprinha: Although it is not a very well-known drink, especially in the U.S.A, once you try it you will fall in love with the unique taste. 2 tsp. granulated sugar, 1 lime (cut into 8 wedges), and 2.5 oz. Cachaca make up this tasty treat. Put lime wedges into a glass and muddle the sugar into them. Fill the glass with ice cubes, pour cachaca into the glass, and stir well.

Margarita: You can enjoy this drink frozen or on the rocks; you can use a store bought mix or make it from scratch. Since I wrote about making the perfect frozen margarita with store bought mix last fall, I’ll tell you how to make it yourself! For “on the rocks” you will need: 1 lime wedge, 2 oz. gold tequila (i.e. Cuervo 1800), ? oz. tequila, 1 ? oz. Rose’s sweetened lime juice, ? oz. Triple Sec, 1 splash orange curacoa and crushed ice. Place salt in a saucer. Rub rim of glass with limejuice or with a lime wedge and dip rim in salt. Place all ingredients (except for lime wedge and ice) into a shaker. Strain mixture into glass over crushed ice and garnish with lime wedge. If you do not have a cocktail shaker then you can pour the ingredients over ice into glass and mix well. For the frozen variety: prepare a salt-rimmed glass (see directions for on the rocks). Use 1 cup of crushed ice and blend all ingredients (except for lime wedge) in a blender. Pour into glass and garnish with lime wedge, if desired.

Sex on the Beach: With such a scandalous name and sweet ingredients, it is obvious why this cocktail is a favorite among spring breakers. For this beverage you’ll need 1 oz. vodka, ? oz. peach schnapps, cranberry juice and grapefruit juice. Fill half of glass with cranberry juice and grapefruit juice. Add vodka and peach schnapps and stir. Fill the rest of glass with ice.

Zombie: After you drink one, or a few, of these, you will see how it got its name. 1 oz. light rum, ? oz. cr??me de almond (or you may use Cherry Heering if you prefer), 1.5 oz. sour mix, 1.2 oz. Triple Sec, 1.5 oz. orange juice, and ? oz. 151 proof rum are the necessary ingredients. Shake all ingredients, except the 151-proof rum, in with the ice and strain the mixture into a glass over ice. Float the 151-proof rum on top and add a cherry, if desired.

Rum Runner: This drink is sweet and the mixture of tastes makes it go very well with warm weather get-away. 1.5 oz. Malibu rum, 1 oz. blackberry brandy, ? oz. orange juice, ? oz. pineapple juice and ? oz. cranberry juice round off this beverage. Mix all of these ingredients in a glass and add ice.

Bellini: Do not expect to be served one of these at a Mexican or Carribean bar/club at night. Instead, order one with your breakfast or lunch, which usually consists of a variety of delicious fresh fruits. This drink includes 6 oz. champagne and 1 oz. peach schnapps. Pour ingredients into a champagne flute and serve.

Seabreeze: This cocktail is a pleasant variation of the cranberry and vodka. Grapefruit juice goes very well with vodka and diminishes the strong taste of the cranberry juice. Polar makes a delicious grapefruit drink called Half and Half; it is bubbly and adds a nice touch. Ingredients include 1.5 oz. vodka, 4 oz. cranberry juice and 1 oz. grapefruit juice. Pour vodka over ice into glass. Add mixers and garnish with a lime wedge, if desired.

Mai Tai: Another drink that features fruit juices and rum is the Mai Tai. It is a must-have for every beach vacationer. 1 oz. dark rum, 1 oz. light rum, 1.5 oz. Triple Sec, ? oz. orange juice, 1 oz. pineapple juice (canned), ? oz. alcoholic Grenadine cordial and ice cubes make Mai Tai and delightful treat. Shake all ingredients and pour into a glass. Garnish with a cherry or top with a dash of Triple Sec.