On a hot day, you can’t go too far wrong with lemon juice, lime juice, mint, and something fizzy. Yet the Lemon ‘n’ Lime Ade recipe I found in the Family Circle Illustrated Library of Cooking (1972) called for bottled citrus juice, ginger ale, and green food coloring to make it “visually cool.” Back in those dream-on days, fake color, extra sugar, and processed fruits ruled the pantry.

I decided to update the recipe with fresh lemon and lime  — and nix the ginger ale and food coloring. With a little vodka or light rum mixed in, and a garnish, this drink puts on a “pretty party dress,” to quote the cookbook. Fortunately, it’s a 2015 frock, not a zigzag-patterned maxi dress like the one modeled in a Huffington Post story. Cheers? Backatcha!

Updated Lemon n Lime Ade (1972)
Makes 1 cocktail

Base:
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup water
2 tablespoons freshly-squeezed lime juice
2 tablespoons freshly-squeezed lemon juice
Per drink:
1/2 cup base
1 ounce vodka or light rum
2 mint sprigs, crushed
1/4 cup club soda
Lime wheel, for garnish

To make the base: In a saucepan, mix the sugar and water. Heat, stirring, until the sugar dissolves (no need for the water to boil). Let cool for 15 minutes. Squeeze in the lime and lemon juice. Stir, pour into a container with a cover, and chill.
To make each drink: Pour 1/2 cup of base mixture into a glass. Add the rum and stir. Add the cub soda and mint and stir once again. Add ice cubes to taste and garnish with a lime wheel.