As our days of sitting outside sipping cocktails in the sun dwindle, here are three top spots you’ll want to hit before kissing summer goodbye…
1. The Rose
At The Rose, you won’t want to miss their Tiki cocktail. The drink consists of Brennivin, Campari, maple syrup, lime, pineapple and mint. Fun fact: The Rose was the first bar in America to ever carry Brennivin. This Icelandic spirit has vodka-like qualities, however, is much smoother and palatable. The Brennivin mixed with the bite from Campari and the sweetness of freshly squeezed pineapple juice makes this the most refreshing and dangerously drinkable cocktail around. According to bartender Stephyn Duck, they spend between 30 and 100 hours perfecting each drink on their menu, and before opening, they spend a couple of hours squeezing fresh juice for the night’s orders.
“The most important ingredient is ice.”
Stephyn Duck
According to Duck, he knows when a cocktail is perfect by its sound, and what separates a good cocktail from a great cocktail is the liquid to ice ratio.
2. Glorietta Trattoria
The Scoby Snack (right) at Glorietta is a summer must-have. The drink consists of their house-made kombucha, vermouth, Campari, gin, pink guava and lemon. This drink is a twist on the classic Americano cocktail, replacing the soda water with guava kombucha. The Punsch List cocktail (left) made with rum, Swedish Punsch, raspberry, orange and lime has more of a punch to it. While equally fruity with flavor, the Punsch List leaves you with more of a bite than the Scoby. According to bartender Taylor Cedarholm, the perfect cocktail has balance.
“Keeping a good balance is most important. You never want a drink to be overwhelmingly sweet.”
Taylor Cedarholm
For Cedarholm, keeping cocktails interesting and unique is one of the best parts of the job.
3. Suda Izakaya
While Suda is featuring three amazingly delicious cocktails this summer, their Whirling Derby takes the cake. This drink mixes Toki Japanese whisky, St. Germaine, fresh grapefruit and honey. There’s a nice bitey freshness to the drink followed with a sweet hit of honey to finish. The other two summer cocktails featured in the main photo: the Melon Baller and Absaluzu are also perfect for summer (depending on what you like). If you prefer lighter drinks, the Melon Baller is for you. The drink features Jackson Hole Still Works vodka, Midori Japanese melon liquor and pineapple. If you like the zing of gin and ginger, the Absaluzu is for you. Mixed with Jackson Hole Still Works Absaroka gin, joto yuzu liquor and ginger juice, this drink has a kick. According to co-owner Liz Rasnick, all their drinks are influenced by flavors from Japan.
“I try to pull my inspiration from traveling to recreate cocktails that I love and embellish them to make them my own.”
Liz Rasnick
While incredibly delicious, Rasnick warns newcomers that all of their cocktails are on the stronger side, so enjoy these summer sips responsibly!
