Certain drinks play well amid heat waves and deep freezes alike. It's never a bad time for an Old-Fashioned, after all. However, others are more conducive to seasonal activities. You wouldn't fix a hot toddy while grilling during a muggy August afternoon, nor would a cooling Pimm's Cup be much help after ice fishing for four hours.

The craft-beer world might be shoving fall down our throats with premature pumpkin ales and Oktoberfest releases. But don't let the annual seasonal creep affect your cocktails. It's still 80 degrees outside and we're not ready to let go of the long drinks we fall in love with every summer.

Never mind the back-to-school ads. Twist up these easy-to-make summer cocktails until it's time to pack up the beachwear.

Michael Rietmulder writes about beer, spirits and nightlife.