Summer cocktails with a twist!

What better way to entertain this time of year than with some icy cocktails?

On The Early Show's Five-Minute Cooking School, cookbook author and cooking teacher Tori Ritchie shared fun and simple recipes for classic summer cocktails -- with added zest from fruit purees and fresh-squeezed juices.

Ritchie held class in the flagship store in Manhattan of specialty home furnishings retailer and The Early Show partner Williams-Sonoma.

RECIPES

WATERMELON MARGARITA

2 cups watermelon chunks, seeded
4 oz. tequila
1 oz. Cointreau or other orange-flavored liqueur
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
Ice cubes
Salt, to taste (optional)
2 lime wedges (optional)
2 lime slices

In a blender, combine the watermelon, tequila, Cointreau, lime juice and ice cubes and puree until smooth.

Spread salt on a small, flat plate. Moisten the rims of 2 margarita glasses with the lime wedges and invert onto the plate of salt, then shake off any excess. Pour the watermelon margarita into the glasses and garnish each with a lime slice.

Serves 2.

PINEAPPLE GREYHOUND

The classic cocktail known as a Greyhound combines vodka and grapefruit juice. Stir in fresh pineapple juice, as well. Preparing your own fresh juice ensures an exceptionally delicious drink.

Ice cubes as needed
1 fl. oz. vodka
2 fl. oz. fresh pineapple juice
1 1/2 fl. oz. fresh pink grapefruit juice
2 half-moon grapefruit slices

Fill a rocks glass or large tumbler with ice cubes up to the rim. Add the vodka, pineapple juice and grapefruit juice and stir to combine. Garnish with the grapefruit slices.

Serves 1.

FRESH TOMATO BLOODY MARYS

These Bloody Marys are made with fresh tomato juice for exceptional flavor. Be sure to use very ripe, sweet, summer tomatoes when preparing the juice.

1 1/4 cups fresh tomato juice (from about 2 lb. tomatoes)
3/4 cup fresh celery juice (from about 3 large celery stalks)
2 tsp. grated fresh horseradish
1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper
1 tsp. salt, plus more, to taste
3 dashes Tabasco sauce, plus more, to taste
1 tsp. Doctor Tillitsuits seasoning sauce, plus more, to taste (see note)
Ice cubes as needed
4 fl. oz. vodka
2 celery stalks

In a pitcher, stir together the tomato juice, celery juice, horseradish, pepper, the 1 tsp. salt, 3 dashes Tabasco and 1 tsp. Doctor Tillitsuits sauce. Taste and adjust the seasonings. Cover and refrigerate until well chilled, at least 30 minutes.

Fill 2 tall glasses with ice cubes and add 2 fl. oz. vodka to each one. Stir the tomato juice mixture and pour into glasses, dividing evenly. Garnish each with a celery stalk and serve immediately. Serves 2.

Note: Worcestershire sauce can be used in place of the Doctor Tillitsuits sauce.