The Patch research team learned something this week. Though the term "highball" is certainly a reference to an adult beverage, in our research we saw the term used in describing a variety of drink recipes.

It's just one of those words that you kind of know the meaning of, but you could be wrong, right?

Everyone from Esquire and Bon Appetit magazines to several other lesser known sources, seems to define a highball as an alcoholic beverage served in a tall -- at least 12-ounce -- glass with a shot or two of hard liquor and the rest with mixer. And two or three ice cubes.

What's your favorite summer cocktail? Tell us in the comments or email ideas to mariella.savidge@patch.com.

Classics include whiskey and ginger ale, cranberry juice and vodka and our perfect summer drink this week from our aforementioned friends at Esquire:

Gin Rickey

Ingredients

• 1/2 ounce lime juice
• 2 ounces London dry gin
• club soda

Instructions

Squeeze the lime juice into a Collins glass full of ice. Add the gin, throw in the lime half, and top up with bubbly water of choice. That's it. Don't let anybody convince you to put sugar in this. You can use other liquors, adjusting the name accordingly.

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Sources: Esquire and Bon Appetit magazines