Chill Out

Chill OutThere's no mistaking July, the zenith of summer. Baseball takes its All-Star break. Heat waves penetrate the sand, turning beachgoers into Club MTV dancers. And you frequently fill your tall collins glass with an ice-cold mixed drink. But whether you choose vodka, gin, light rum or tequila—or even bourbon or dark rum—as your base, keep one mixing rule of thumb in mind: the better the spirit, the better the result. For a few extra dollars, the top-of-the-line brands will intensify the fl...