Drunken brats get the party started.

There is something about huddling around a portable grill in a crowded parking lot on a Saturday morning that just screams fall. Crisp weather, exuberant fans and beer at ten in the morning — just completes the picture.  This past Saturday, our home team played Louisiana State University and although the action on the field wasn’t stellar (we lost), the spread at our tailgate certainly was.

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A trio of white jeans bid adieu to summer.

My girlfriends and I are milking this last bit of summer for all that it’s worth. There are a few more days until Labor Day, so it’s still legal to wear white. What does that mean? A white jeans party, of course. Even though we consider ourselves modern gals, not mired down by old-fashioned etiquette, it was a fun excuse to get together and celebrate our favorite summer pants. What to eat and drink?

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Shh, we drink these all year long.

Does this sound familiar? Eleven months of the year you’re all about red wine. Then summer hits, you crank up the fans and suddenly you can’t quite swallow those bold, heavy flavors. Thankfully Bacchus, our lovely god of vino, has given us lighter, crisper white wines to help with that.

Of course, all year is keep-it-cheap season for me, which is why I loved editing this list…

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Tastes like Florida.

Sometimes there’s nothing better than combining a drink and dessert into one creation. My latest obsession: The Key Lime Freeze, which marries vanilla vodka and Rose’s lime juice for an incredible ending to a summer meal. Take this tart-sweet frozen cocktail to the next level by dipping the rim in crushed graham crackers and finishing with a lime wedge. Cheers!

Get your frozen cocktail fix:
Key Lime Freeze Recipe
Top 10 Frozen Drinks

Fruit Trifle recipe from FineLiving.com

I’m a baker (by hobby, not profession) but even turning on my oven on a sizzling summer day is torture, let alone baking something in it. So when August rolls around and produce is at its peak, I rejoice in the fact that blueberries, raspberries, peaches and more can take center stage in my summer desserts. For this trifle, cheat a little and start with a store-bought pound cake (I bake a few when the weather’s still cool and freeze them), add layers of juicy berries, fresh whipped cream and voila! Instant ending to a summer soiree or outdoor gathering, no stove required.

Dig into our roundup of 32 no-cook desserts, from farmstand treats to ice cream indulgences.

The indecisive Arnold Palmer. Try one -- virgin or sassy.

My usual routine of jogging has taken a backseat of late thanks to steamy weather that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. The good news? My yard is now getting the attention it deserves. After working up a sweat in the yard, I’ve found a pull on the garden hose just isn’t enough to quench my thirst. Time to turn to my summertime beverage of choice: an Arnold Palmer, otherwise known as a Half and Half. The mix of iced tea and lemonade balances perfectly – not overly sweet, with just a little zing from the lemon, and a caffeine kick thanks to the tea.

When the sun starts to wane, I switch into cocktail mode and doctor up my fave summer libation. To make: muddle four or five mint leaves in the bottom of the glass, add rocks, a shot of your favorite vodka, your lemonade-tea mix and you’ve got yourself an Electric Arnold, also known as a Red Faced Arnold. No blenders, speared fruit or complicated steps necessary — just right for the lazy August I’m enjoying.

What’s your favorite summer cocktail?

Rachael Ray's Roasted Tomato Bruschetta

Seduced by the scent of Amy’s Bread downstairs at Chelsea Market, I just snagged a baguette. Humble it might be, but I have big plans for my $3 investment. Tonight, a couple of torn-off pieces, smeared with butter and served with some spaghetti and meatballs will make my basic meal better. I’ll take the remains—half the two-foot length? a third of it?—and transform them for a second round tomorrow. Waste not, want not, right? Sliced and toasted, it’ll keep for at least a week in a resealable bag in the pantry or much longer if I freeze them. If friends come to play this weekend, I’ll rename the toasts crostini, dress them up with a summery topping of chopped tomatoes (yes, I’ll use that almost-forgotten, slightly sad guy on the sill), red onion, basil, cukes and a splash of vinegar for impromptu bruschetta. Next time I’ll choose a topper from the 50 our kitchens team came up with for Food Network Magazine. These breezy bites seem right for a non-party party: delightfully tasty, open to improvisation and easy to put together. How would you stretch and share a loaf?

Find dozens of Margarita, Sangria and Mojito recipes at FineLiving.com.

As soon as the sun starts lingering in the sky past 6pm, I crave summer cocktails. Fruity, frozen, on the rocks, I don’t discriminate with my libations. If you’re like me, always up for new concoctions, you’ll want to meet The 3 Amigos: Margaritas, mojitos, and sangria. This trio made the top of the list when fineliving.com asked users what they drinks from May to September. We gathered all of our recipes for each, from classic to creative, and added some how-to videos to boot. Dig in, drink up, and don’t forget to share your signature cocktail recipe with us.

Find the Mellow Melon Margarita recipe on FineLiving.com.

If your employer is one of the few who still rewards overheated workers with a trio of Summer Fridays throughout the season, then you’re lucky. Turns out the coveted half-to-full day off that used to be a staple in benevolent companies has gone the way of the dinosaur and the Styrofoam cup.  The redux means fewer getaways and lazier Friday afternoons daydreaming of faraway places. That’s what I do – I’ve been cherry picking from this gallery of cool summer drinks to help me get away. Do you still get Summer Fridays? What’s your ideal way to spend them?

If this were a Godzilla-like monster movie clearly, Airbed would win (probably with a little help from Mothra). Having tossed and turned on both in the past week, I can safely say the only thing worse than using either beast for more than four hours, is sleeping while standing. But not everyone has figured out how to make their family room crossdress as a guest room. I have friends who actually expect a host to offer up his or her own bed if sleeping space is limited. I’m not in that camp.  How do you feel about relinquishing your bed for a guest?