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The best summer cookout, drink recipes

From salads to salsas, chicken and crisp -- here are the best summer recipes to kick off the season. (AP Photo) — From salads to salsas, chicken and fruit crisps — here are the best summer recipes to kick off the season. (AP Photo)

This Monday, July 11, 2011 photo shows potato salad studded with grilled corn and poblano peppers in Concord, N.H. For Marcela Valladolid, salads are not starters. They are big and substantial. For the AP's 20 Salads of Summer series, Valladolid offered this potato salad recipe. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead) — This photo shows potato salad studded with grilled corn and poblano peppers. For Marcela Valladolid, salads are not starters. They are big and substantial. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead) You can find the recipe here. (ASSOCIATED PRESS/Matthew Mead)

Kick off your summer parties with this refreshing drink recipe from D.C.’s own Café Dupont. (WTOP/Rachel Nania) Ingredients: 2 ounces of Tanqueray gin; handful of fresh blueberries; tonic; 2 basil leafs; 2 lime wedges; splash of simple syrup Instructions: In a mixing glass, muddle fruit, add spirit; combine ingredients; shake heavily until frosted; pour into rock glass; top it off with tonic. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)

This July 25, 2011 photo shows chef Vikas Khanna's recipe for tangy fruit salad in Concord, N.H. For APs 20 Salads of Summer series, Khanna offered this simple fruit salad that sports complex flavors. Dried mango powder, a tangy, pungent season, is key to this recipe. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead) — This photo shows chef Vikas Khanna’s recipe for tangy fruit salad. Khanna offered this simple fruit salad that sports complex flavors. Dried mango powder, a tangy, pungent seasoning, is key to this recipe. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead) You can find the recipe here. (ASSOCIATED PRESS/Matthew Mead)

This July 22, 2013 photo taken in Concord, N.H., shows a recipe for grilled BLT pizza with summer tomato-basil sauce. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead) — This photo shows a recipe for grilled BLT pizza with summer tomato-basil sauce. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead) You can find the recipe here. (AP/Matthew Mead)

This April 21, 2014, photo shows grilled fruit pizza in Concord, N.H. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead) — This photo shows grilled fruit pizza. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead) You can find the recipe here. (AP/Matthew Mead)

This Aug. 1, 2011 photo shows heirloom and cherry tomato salad in Concord, N.H. For the APs 20 Salads of Summer series, Alice Waters offered this recipe for a simple but stunning salad. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead) — This photo shows heirloom and cherry tomato salad. Alice Waters offered this recipe for a simple but stunning salad. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead) You can find the recipe here. (ASSOCIATED PRESS/Matthew Mead)

This May 5, 2014 photo shows summer crisp with pecan streusel topping in Concord, N.H. The addition of orange liqueur is optional for the dish, but it can make big difference in the summer dessert. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead) — This photo shows summer crisp with pecan streusel topping. The addition of orange liqueur is optional for the dish, but it can make big difference in the summer dessert. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead) You can find the recipe here. (ASSOCIATED PRESS/Matthew Mead)

This Apr. 7, 2014 photo shows grilled oysters with fermented black beans and chili garlic in Concord, N.H. This recipe was inspired by chefs at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival in Miami Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead) — This photo shows grilled oysters with fermented black beans and chili garlic. This recipe was inspired by chefs at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival in Miami Beach, Florida. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead) You can find the recipe here. (ASSOCIATED PRESS/Matthew Mead)

A maxed mac and cheese hotdog is seen in this May 2, 2010 photo. With a prosciutto wrap on the dog this recipe is a summer favorite in the extreme. (AP Photo/Larry Crowe) — This is a maxed mac and cheese hot dog. With a prosciutto wrap on the dog this recipe is a summer favorite in the extreme. (AP Photo/Larry Crowe) You can find the recipe here. (ASSOCIATED PRESS/Larry Crowe)

This June 9, 2014 photo shows Dijon tomato and sweet onion pie in Concord, N.H. The Tomato Pie is a classic Southern dish made in summer when the tomato plants are heavy with ripe fruit. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead) — This photo shows Dijon tomato and sweet onion pie. The Tomato Pie is a classic Southern dish made in summer when the tomato plants are heavy with ripe fruit. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead) You can find the recipe here. (AP/Matthew Mead)

** FOR USE WITH AP WEEKLY FEATURES ** Basil Leaves Stuffed With Chevre and Pine Nuts would make a light lunch for which the only cooking needed is to toast pine nuts. The recipe is from Food & Wine magazine's "Food & Wine Fast." (AP Photo/Larry Crowe) — Basil Leaves Stuffed With Chevre and Pine Nuts would make a light lunch for which the only cooking needed is to toast pine nuts. The recipe is from Food & Wine magazine’s “Food & Wine Fast.” (AP Photo/Larry Crowe) You can find the recipe here. (AP/LARRY CROWE)

This April 4, 2011 photo shows a minted margarita in Concord, N.H. Two classic summer cocktails, mojitos and margaritas, inspired this pitcher cocktail. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead) — This photo shows a minted margarita. Two classic summer cocktails, mojitos and margaritas, inspired this pitcher cocktail. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead) You can find the recipe here. (ASSOCIATED PRESS/Matthew Mead)

Right-side-up cake from Deborah Madison's "Seasonal Fruit Desserts" is seen in this May 6, 2010 photo. While avoiding heat in the kitchen tends to be the rule in the summer it will be worth cranking up the oven for this recipe. (AP Photo/Larry Crowe) — Right-side-up cake from Deborah Madison’s “Seasonal Fruit Desserts” is seen in this photo. While avoiding heat in the kitchen tends to be the rule in the summer, it will be worth cranking up the oven for this recipe. (AP Photo/Larry Crowe) You can find the recipe here. (ASSOCIATED PRESS/Larry Crowe)

** FOR USE WITH AP WEEKLY FEATURES ** Grilled Meatballs may sound like an odd idea, but this quick recipe has distinct tomato and savory notes and produces meatballs with tons of flavor that can be cooked entirely on the grill. For a great sandwich, toss slices of provolone cheese over them during the final minute of grilling. (AP Photo/Larry Crowe) — Grilled meatballs may sound like an odd idea, but this quick recipe has distinct tomato and savory notes and produces meatballs with tons of flavor that can be cooked entirely on the grill. For a great sandwich, toss slices of provolone cheese over them during the final minute of grilling. (AP Photo/Larry Crowe) You can find the recipe here. (ASSOCIATED PRESS/LARRY CROWE)

This July 11, 2011 photo shows buttery roasted tomato bruschetta in Concord, N.H. This bruschetta recipe gets a pat of butter added at the end just before serving. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead) — This photo shows buttery roasted tomato bruschetta. This bruschetta recipe gets a pat of butter added at the end just before serving. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead) You can find the recipe here. (ASSOCIATED PRESS/Matthew Mead)

This Aug. 15, 2011 photo shows chef Elizabeth A. Karmel's lemon chicken steaks with summer salad and tzatziki in Concord, N.H. This recipe is perfect for the end of summer when farmers markets and backyard gardens are bursting with cucumbers and tomatoes. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead) — This photo shows chef Elizabeth A. Karmel’s lemon chicken steaks with summer salad and tzatziki. This recipe is perfect for the end of summer when farmers markets and backyard gardens are bursting with cucumbers and tomatoes. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead) You can find the recipe here. (ASSOCIATED PRESS/Matthew Mead)

In this image taken on July 16, 2012, chef Elizabeth Karmels recipe of cooked shrimp and crab in a light, chilled summer cerviche served with tortilla chips is shown in Concord, N.H. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead) — Chef Elizabeth Karmel’s recipe for cooked shrimp and crab in a light, chilled summer cerviche served with tortilla chips. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead) You can find the recipe here. (ASSOCIATED PRESS/Matthew Mead)

This April 28, 2014 photo shows grilled tomatillo and nectarine salsa over blue cheese meatloaf burgers in Concord, N.H. This summer grilling recipe combines meat, vegetables and fruit. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead) — This photo shows grilled tomatillo and nectarine salsa over blue cheese meatloaf burgers. This summer grilling recipe combines meat, vegetables and fruit. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead) You can find the recipe here. (AP/Matthew Mead)

This July 21, 2014 photo shows grapefruit and corn summer salsa in Concord, N.H. The recipe features a shaved salsa that needs neither tomatoes nor chopping. (AP Photo/MatthewMead) — This photo shows grapefruit and corn summer salsa. The recipe features a shaved salsa that needs neither tomatoes nor chopping. (AP Photo/MatthewMead) You can find the recipe here. (AP/Matthew Mead)

This July 29, 2013 photo shows grilled Mexican street corn salad in Concord, N.H. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead) — This photo shows grilled Mexican street corn salad. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead) You can find the recipe here. (AP/Matthew Mead)

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From salads to salsas, chicken and crisp -- here are the best summer recipes to kick off the season. (AP Photo)

This Monday, July 11, 2011 photo shows potato salad studded with grilled corn and poblano peppers in Concord, N.H. For Marcela Valladolid, salads are not starters. They are big and substantial. For the AP's 20 Salads of Summer series, Valladolid offered this potato salad recipe. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

This July 25, 2011 photo shows chef Vikas Khanna's recipe for tangy fruit salad in Concord, N.H. For APs 20 Salads of Summer series, Khanna offered this simple fruit salad that sports complex flavors. Dried mango powder, a tangy, pungent season, is key to this recipe. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

This July 22, 2013 photo taken in Concord, N.H., shows a recipe for grilled BLT pizza with summer tomato-basil sauce. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

This April 21, 2014, photo shows grilled fruit pizza in Concord, N.H. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

This Aug. 1, 2011 photo shows heirloom and cherry tomato salad in Concord, N.H. For the APs 20 Salads of Summer series, Alice Waters offered this recipe for a simple but stunning salad. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

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