From Campari and soda, to the huge champagne cocktail resurgence to one of my personal faves, the Casablanca (2 oz light rum, 1 oz apricot liqueur, 1 oz lime juice, 1 oz Grand Marnier, 1 tsp maraschino liqueur, shake with ice and strain), summer's a grand time for consuming the more complicated beverages you might not have patience to wait for during the chill of winter. And while they're fun to make at home, the numerous ingredients and mixing skills make them even more fun to drink out. Wander into the bars of these local restaurants and try the following:

Ben Pao, 52 West Illinois, (312)222-1888: Highlighting Asian-inspired cocktails at "Three Treasures of Summer Celebrations" on June 20, July 18 and August 15, 5:30-7pm ($25, all-inclusive), Ben Pao features everything from a Shen Lemon Ginger Martini to the classic Singapore Sling (gotta love any drink with cherry brandy!).

Fortunato, 2005 West Division, (773)645-7200: The house cocktail at Jennifer Newbury's (Sole Mio) new restaurant offers a twist on the classic champagne: champagne with opal basil, black pepper and clove.

Nacional 27, 325 West Huron, (312)664-2727: This nuevo Latino club/restaurant hybrid still makes a super-sharp Mojito (a blend of superfine sugar, dark rum, mint leaves, ice and lime and club soda).

Napa Valley Grille, 626 North State, (312)587-1166: The Thief's Retreat features yummy Domaine Charbay Key Lime vodka, Chambord (a raspberry liqueur) and pineapple juice.

Petterino's, 150 North Dearborn, (312)422-0150: The Loop spot features "Golden Age" cocktails all summer, culminating in "Pin-Ups & Swizzle Sticks" receptions on June 12, July 17 and Aug. 14 from 5:30-7pm. Assortments of cocktails include the classic highball (usually whiskey, water, ice and then ginger ale, 7Up or club soda), mai tai, rob roy, old fashioned (bitters, sugar, the juice from a fresh lemon and orange slice, bourbon/scotch/whiskey and club soda) and martini.

Spring, 2039 West North, (773)395-7100: Spring goes exotic with the Litchi Martini, mixing 1 oz Litchi liqueur (made from an Asian fruit that's been compared to a plum) with 1 oz crème de cassis, 1.5 oz vodka and 1.5 oz sour mix. Mixture is shaken over ice, strained and served straight up with a lime wedge.

Wave, W Hotel, 644 North Lake Shore, (312)255-4460: Try the Goosecatini: Grey Goose lemon vodka, Moscato d'asti, vanilla sugar rim and candied lemon twist.

Also by Elaine Richardson

MOVE OUT
"It may be 'the projects' to you... a bleak lookin' place you pass as you drive along the Dan Ryan expressway, or see from Comiskey Park," Williams says early in the documentary. "But to me, these bricks are a real community. Some parts are pretty messed up, but it's still home."
(2002-05-16)

AMERICAN ICONS
The truth is that Hollywood makes stars, but the public makes icons. But we can't tell you why. However, when two Chicago cultural institutions turned to the glamour days of Hollywood this month for material, we couldn't resist the chance to reflect on the question.
(2002-05-09)

LAST RIDE
A full twenty minutes before its final performance, a massive crowd has packed into the lobby of the Theatre Building, clutching the general admission tickets to the final ride of playwright Will Kern's nine-year-plus running play, "Hellcab."
(2002-05-09)

FASHION AVENUE
"There's a lot of things you can buy in Nordstrom's that you'll now be able to get in the neighborhood," Naimowicz says of the merchandise in her 9-month-old store. "And you don't have to pay fourteen dollars to park," Harwell dryly adds. And that's at least part of the reason why, as the population of Wicker Park and Bucktown grows, buoyed by a nice proximity to downtown and the artistic pull of the area, retail expansion has followed.
(2002-05-02)

TOTTERING TOWN
(2002-04-25)

MEET AND GREET
(2002-04-18)

HOT AIR
(2002-04-11)

MR. BEAN
(2002-04-04)

STREET TEAM
(2002-03-21)

FEEDING FRENZY
(2002-03-21)

POLL POSITION
(2002-03-14)

AD BUSTERS
(2002-03-14)