3 ways to become a cocktail expert this summer

Just because school’s out for the summer, doesn’t mean you can’t learn something new. We’ve got three ways to up your cocktail game.

The first-ever New York Cocktail Week begins today through July 17, and even though “New York” means Manhattan, with over 75 bars and restaurants taking part you’ll want to get in on it. During the event, organized by Foursquare and CBS, participating venues are offering unlimited $4 special cocktails and appetizers, so grab an #NYCCW15 wristband and find a new favorite spot through the check-in app’s recommendations (like what kind of music they play and where the syrups and bitters are made in-house). Check out the full list, then pick up a wristband for $30.

August is National Rum Month, but Booze Menus and Zacapa Rum decided to start the party early. Through July and on through Sept. 7, pick up a Summer Good Cocktail Passport to get a seasonal cocktail (not just rum-based, but what else are we drinking when the weather is this hot?) at each of the 21 participating bars including Butter & Scotch,The Saint Catherine,Tijuana PicnicandWhitman & Bloom. The passport will also get you into two special events: On Aug. 1, Back Label Wine Merchants will host tastings of rum cocktails and tiki drinks, free to Passport holders, plus a National Rum Day Party on Aug. 16.

For the locavores with a sense of adventure, Secret Summer is where you’ll want to be on Aug. 2. The farm-to-bar cocktail and food festival will transform LIC’sThe Foundryinto a sprawlingMidsummer Night’s Dream-themed party. The event will begin, as good fairy tales do, with an odd character escorting you into a land of unlimited barbecue, a Champagne bar, live ragtime music, Shakespeare performances and outdoor games. Amid all the enchantment, the event keeps its focus on sustainability, including hydroponically grown produce and seasonal cocktails. The event runs 4-10 p.m., with passes starting at $150 for GA and $280 for VIP, which gets you in an hour early,an oyster station and Champagne cocktails.

Eva Kis is on Twitter @thisiskis, where she talks about pop culture, cats and media almost as much as food.