Mezcal is the cooler older cousin of tequila. He rides a motorcycle. He travels. He always has a story to tell. He’s smoky.

While the combination of ingredients for La Pina is complex, it’s quite easy to drink. The mezcal gives it its bold character. The serrano chile, while seeded, adds a jolt of life, but the assuaging pineapple follows right behind to make sure things don’t get too hectic. This cocktail is not spicy, but it is stimulating.

Light. Bubbly. Refreshing. Three things combined in one cocktail to keep you cool — body and mind — despite the humidity. Though profoundly refreshing, the Hugo Spritz could hardly be simpler.

It begins with ice, limes, and mint; soon to be joined by St. Germain — an elderflower liqueur — and prosecco, one who needs no introduction. Finished with a splash of soda water and a sprig of mint, the Hugo Spritz is honest, tasty, and quite frankly, one of the best decisions you can make on a hot summer day.

If there's one thing we learned during self-quarantine, it's how to make a good drink at home. One of our latest favorites is Tiger Balm: a tequila and lime cocktail that packs a citrus punch, but goes down easy. Made with Oleo-Saccharum, a citrus-infused simple syrup, this cocktail is just exotic enough to help you get away from it all for a brief moment.

Barb Byrum has been hard at work changing up old-fashioned policies and procedures in politics, so this week we're mixing up an Old Fashioned with a sweet spin. The Brandy Old Fashioned hardly resembles the traditional cocktail; Père Magloire Calvados Brandy comes together with cherry and orange juice for a unique, sweet drink balanced by bitters and citrus. If you're a fan of sweet drinks, you'll love this cocktail. Think of it as an opportunity to change up your "Old Fashioned" ways.

If you find yourself ready for an elegant spring cocktail this weekend, this cocktail is right up your alley. The Parasol, from the Chicago Paris Club, is a mix of champagne, St. Germain, Lillet Blanc, honey, and lemon. Bubbly gives the ideal uplifting kick to St. Gemain and Lillet Blanc, while honey and lemon balance each other out. This cocktail pairs great with putting your feet up and enjoying a warm spring evening.

There's nothing quite like a coffee cocktail to give you the kick you need to wake up. This episode's cocktail is the Barraquito — the delicious drink that lies somewhere between coffee and dessert. Barraquito is a Spanish coffee liqueur, but this drink puts a spin on the common island cocktail. Made with espresso, milk, cinnamon, lemon, and Licor 43, this drink is one part relaxing, one part energizing, and perfect for fighting fatigue.

This week's rum cocktail is fittingly titled: Chaotic Neutral. While the recipe may seem a bit chaotic, we assure you the smooth, blended taste is worth it. Mixing Key West Rum, raspberry brandy, and Contratto Bitter, it's a rum-forward drink and the perfect nightcap if you need some neutrality after a hectic day. If you want to add a little more chaos, add in a dash of red pepper juice for a hectic spin on a daiquiri.

Sometimes our habits are a bit weird, a bit secretive, or feel a bit alien — which is why Area 51 is the perfect drink for our episode on forming habits. This George Dickel drink comes from Belle's Cocktail House in Lexington, Kentucky and is the perfect marriage of sweet and tart flavors. This drink is a whiskey spin on a Midori sour, which gives it its alien green color. With four simple ingredients, you won't want to miss out on this show-stopper of a cocktail.

This week's mezcal cocktail packs a sting and puts a smoky twist on an original gin drink. The Killer Bee is just three ingredients: Montelobos mezcal, honey, and lemon. This cocktail is based on the popular drink Bee's Knees, but replaces the gin with a smokier and harder-hitting mezcal spirit. Lemon and honey mix with the mezcal for a zesty, easy-to-prep drink. As the winter begins to thaw, get your creative juices flowing with this inventive cocktail.

Pour up a cup of happiness with this homemade Indian Masala Chai. This recipe is the traditional way of preparing chai, so it takes some time and patience — but it's worth every sip, and is so much better than your typical coffee shop chai. The Indian Masala Chai is nonalcoholic and the perfect drink to warm up your day. The masala mix is made with cinnamon, cardamom, clove, nutmeg, ginger, and peppercorn, and will have your whole house smelling heavenly. Prepare your chai of choice to your liking and add the masala mix to help warm up your mindset.