and 2 lemon slices in a cocktail shaker. Add gin and lime juice and fill shaker with ice. Cover and shake until outside of shaker is frosty, about 20 seconds. Strain into 2 ice-filled Collins glasses.

Sharon Sevrens of Montclair's Amanti Vino (30 Church St., 973-509-9463) concocted a new cocktail based on the distant green light seen ... an early lemon-lime soda, but 7 Up will do.

Garnish your Plata Margarita cocktail with a lime wedge and serve. Salt rim optional. 1 oz Baileys Original Irish Cream 1 1/2 oz Chocolate Milk 1 1/2 oz Seltzer Water Whipped Cream and Green Mini ...