Summer drinks are serious business as hot partygoers frequently find themselves seeking a beverage to quench their thirst and cool their bodies.

And a good summer sip can make or break a party. Like good food, drink mixes range from concoctions that have stood the test of time to innovative drinks that are making big splashes at reunions, open houses and back-yard barbecues. There are old-standbys, such as "church punch": The combination of lemonade, cranberry juice, orange juice and ginger ale — has been in one family for more than 50 years. It's an easy punch and adaptable for kids' parties as well as adult-only gatherings when just a shot of Limoncello liqueur adds a seductive punch. Here are a couple of other recipes to get your party started: