Chill with a cocktail
20 refreshing drinks to help you survive summer.
Let’s just face it: the hot weather is sticking around for a while.
So to cope, sometimes you just need an extra cold cocktail in your hand. The best summer cocktails not only cool you off, but often feature refreshing summer fruits and juices, crisp mixers and light spirits. Some might be blended with ice or draw from tropical flavors.
Here are some revitalizing cocktails available at bars and restaurants across metro Phoenix.
Modern Southern spot Okra in central Phoenix is known for great cocktails, and this refreshing and fruity concoction is perfect for the hot weather months. It’s made with Tito’s vodka, Aperol, grapefruit, lime, passion fruit and orgeat. $11.
Details: Okra Cookhouse & Cocktails, 5813 N. Seventh St., Phoenix. 602-2964147, okraaz.com.
Ship Load of Rum
Looking for a good tiki cocktail? Head to Bitter & Twisted for this playful island drink, made with Hamilton Demerara and Overproof rum, Amaro Averna, lime, pineapple, blackberry and banana. $12.
Details: Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour, 1 W. Jefferson St., Phoenix. 602-340-1924, bitterandtwistedaz.com.
Rocky Point Rendezvous
If you can’t make a trip down to Mexico this summer, sip this tropical concoction that will transport you to the beach in no time, made with vodka, peach liqueur, orange, cranberry and pineapple juices served over crushed ice. $12.
Details: Stock & Stable and Honor Amongst Thieves, 5538 N. Seventh St., Phoenix. 602-313-1001, stockandstable.com.
King Kong
Head up to the trendy Lustre Rooftop Bar at the Hotel Palomar for a pool party this summer, and enjoy the awesome view of downtown Phoenix while sipping a King Kong cocktail. The blended drink is made with Sailor Jerry rum, pineapple juice, Coco Lopez cream of coconut and a banana. $12.
Details: Lustre Rooftop Bar, 2 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix. 480-478-1765, lustrerooftopbar.com.
No. 95
Hip restaurant Windsor in central Phoenix incorporates one of the most refreshing summer fruits in this cocktail: watermelon. The spicy and sweet No. 95 is made with tequila, mezcal, fresh watermelon, Iconic Cocktail Co. lime leaf tonic and habanero-mint syrup. $10.50.
Details: The Windsor, 5223 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-279-1111, windsoraz.com.
Bee’s Knees
American grill and sushi bar Kona Grill is featuring this martini for the hot summer months, made with muddled raspberries, vodka, Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur, honey syrup and lemon juice, shaken and double-strained into a chilled martini glass. The drink is garnished with a raspberry and lemon wheel on a bamboo toothpick. $9. Details: Kona Grill. Five locations Valley-wide. konagrill.com.
Pineapple Mojito
Nothing says summer like a fresh and mint-y mojito. J&G Steakhouse is serving one that you can enjoy with their awesome desert views. It’s a blend of muddled mint and lime, Cruzan light rum and pineapple. $12.
Details: J&G Steakhouse, The Phoenician, 6000 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix. 480-214-8000, jgsteakhouse scottsdale.com.
Don’t Drinkwater
Fat Ox, the sleek and modern Italian spot in Scottsdale, is serving an invigorating cocktail for the summer. The Don’t Drinkwater is made with Hendricks gin, Effen cucumber vodka and Lillet Blanc. $15.
Details: Fat Ox, 6316 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 480-307-6900, ilovefatox.com.
Caribbean Dream
Talking Stick Resort’s Release pool parties are a big draw, bringing in some of the world’s biggest DJs every weekend in the summer. While you dance poolside, sip on a Caribbean Dream, which features Ciroc coconut vodka, orange juice, strawberry, mango and passion fruit with a float of Meyer’s dark rum. You can have the drink served on the rocks or blended. $10.
Details: Talking Stick Resort, 9800 Talking Stick Way, Salt River Reservation. 480-850-7777, talkingstickresort.com.
Aguas Frescas
Barrio Queen locations serve a number of flavors of cocktails featuring aguas frescas. La Jamaiquita features agua de jamaica (hibiscus), silver tequila, lime juice and Grand Marnier garnished with a salt rim and a lime wheel. La Chatita includes Kahlua, 1921 Crema Tequila and agua de horchata (rice), garnished with a cinnamon sugar rim and cinnamon stick. Mangoneada includes silver tequila, agua de mango, lime juice, Tapatio hot sauce and Tajin seasoning, garnished with a tamarindo sauce and tajin rim, and dried mango. $10 each.
Details: Barrio Queen. 388 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert, 480-634-5025. 7114 E. Stetson Drive, Scottsdale, 480-656-4197. barrioqueen.com.
Deep Blue Fishbowl
Scottsdale club Maya Day + Nightclub is known for its pool parties, and this concoction is perfect to enjoy in the water. The Deep Blue Fishbowl features Tanqueray gin, TYKU citrus liqueur, blue curaçao liqueur, pineapple juice, Sprite and soda, it’s served in a cute floating Maya-branded rubber duck. $14.
Details: Maya Day + Nightclub, 7333 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale. 480-625-0528, mayaclubaz.com.
Dakota Buck
A mule served in a copper cup is one of the coldest cocktails you can enjoy. Dakota, the brunch spot and late night bar, has a cocktail called the Dakota Buck, featuring Stoli vodka, blueberries, lime juice, simple syrup and ginger beer served ice cold in a copper mug. $14.
Details: Dakota, 7301 E. Indian Plaza. 480-361-1030, dakotabar.com.
‘Uku Nui’ Cocktails
Caribbean restaurant Hula’s launched a new tiki cocktail menu back in May, featuring six different drinks. The Molokai Mex features Don Amado mezcal, house-made cayenne simple syrup, pineapple and lime juices. Duke’s Daiquiri is made with Appleton Estate gold rum, lime juice and agave nectar. Pele’s Punch is a blend of Don Q Cristal white rum, Skipper dark rum, Velvet falernum, X-Rated Fusion Liqueur, pineapple juice and Scrappy’s Firewater bitters. $11 each.
Details: Hula’s Modern Tiki. 7213 E. First Ave., Scottsdale, 480-488-4852. 4700 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 602-2658454. hulasmoderntiki.com.
Adult Milkshakes
Milkshakes don’t just have to be a childhood or after-dinner treat. At Hi Fi Kitchen & Cocktails, they serve a dozen varieties of adults-only milkshakes, including the Drunken Monkey (Bacardi banana rum, hazelnut, bananas and chocolate syrup), S’more (Smirnoff fluffed marshmallow vodka, graham cracker, chocolate syrup and toasted marshmallows) and the Birthday Cake (cake vodka, cupcake crumble, sprinkles and whipped cream). $10 each.
Details: Hi-Fi Kitchen & Cocktails, 4420 N. Saddlebag Trail, Scottsdale. 480970-5000, hifibars.com.
Grapefruit Spritz
Modern European restaurant Sonata’s is serving this light and fresh cocktail, made with tequila, fresh grapefruit juice and house-made spice soda (sage liqueur, sage, honey, Everclear and water). $8. Details: Sonata’s Restaurant, 10050 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 480-4771390, sonatasrestaurant.com. Watermelon-Mint Cooler
The Market by Jennifer’s, a cute cafe in Arcadia, is serving this summer drink, made with kombucha, a fermented tea drink that is all the rage right now. The cocktail features muddled watermelon, mint, Tito’s vodka and simple syrup, strained over ice and topped with Wild Tonic rosemary lemon kombucha. $9.
Details: The Market by Jennifer’s, 3603 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. 602-626-5050, themarketphx.com.
Miami Vice
This classic summer drink is perfect to enjoy at the hip OH Pool. The blended layered drink features half strawberry daiquiri and half piña colada, mixed with Cruzan strawberry rum. $12.
Details: Hotel Valley Ho, 6850 E. Main St., Scottsdale. 480-376-2600, hotelvalleyho.com.
Peach Snowcone
Snow cones aren’t just for kids, as evidenced by Mora Italian’s adult version of the crushed ice dessert. It’s made with Rhum J.M., peach, orgeat, peach bitters and a zinfandel float served over shaved ice. $10.
Details: Mora Italian, 5651 N. Seventh St., Phoenix. 602-795-9943, moraitalian.com.
Gin-N-Mousse
If you aren’t already, you’ll have the classic Snoop Dogg track in your head after sipping this drink. The vibrant cocktail is made with Commerce gin, Agave de Cortes mezcal, Giffard Creme de Pamplemousse, lemon and prickly pear drink. $11.
Details: Tacos Tequila Whiskey, 3950 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. 602-6039411, tacostequilawhiskey.com.
Loma Bonita
Chico Malo, the stylish new downtown Phoenix spot, is a great place to go for after work happy hour or late night drinks. Sip on the Loma Bonita, featuring tequila, lime, house-made grapefruit soda and Lillet Rouge. $11.
Details: Chico Malo, CityScape, 50 W. Jefferson St., Phoenix. 602-603-9363, chicomalo.com.