It's gettin' hot in here. To deal with the reality of August, the concept of hydration should be in the front of your mind. Drinking eight glasses of water a day is probably a good idea, but that can get a little boring.

To spice up your hydration routine, try making some Ginger Beer by steeping ginger and a bay leaf in boiling water for a few hours, then adding a simple syrup of water, sugar and lemon. It will have you almost thinking you're lounging on the beach in Jamaica.

In the interest of health, it should be noted that ginger also has some healing effects for digestion - and along with your hydration, we want to see you getting as many health benefits as possible.

We made a big batch of Ginger Beer and drank it all weekend over ice with a squirt of lime. Someone even tried to slip in a rum floater and some mint sprigs once the sun came down, but we're not mentioning any names. skgr

• New York Times' recipe for Ginger Beer
• A few other warm-weather tonics brought to you by Apartment Therapy FOOD