A special occasion calls for an extra-special mixed drink and this long weekend is a great excuse to indulge in some of these leaded libations.

The following recipes are perfect for this weekend's festivities, whether you're celebrating with a backyard barbecue or a day on the beach. As long as the liquor used in these recipes is better than bottom shelf quality, they'll go down nice and easy, keeping you refreshed — not to mention satisfied — all day long. Enjoy!

Sam's All-Natural Margarita

Ingredients:

– 2 ounces Casa Noble tequila

– 1.5 ounces lime juice

– Splash of orange juice

– Agave nectar to taste

Preparation:

Fill a cocktail shaker with half a pint glass of ice. Add all ingredients and shake. Coat rim of cocktail glass with salt, and pour.

This article appears in May 27 – Jun 2, 2010.