The Best Summer Sips (& How to Make Them)

Yowza! The sizzling summer heat is here! No better time to share our picks for the Valley’s tastiest, chilliest libations. We’re pretty sure that you’ll like them so much you’ll want to re-create them at home (and impress the pants off your friends). Many thanks to these restaurants for sharing the ingredients of their brilliant summer bevvies!

The Drink: Roku Fusion
The Place: Sushi Roku ($15)
The Ingredients: This fruity summer creation is perfect for a hot summer day at the pool. The Roku Fusion features Ciroc Vodka, Cantaloupe, Watermelon, Pineapple, and Cranberry Juice

The Drink: Fresno Smash
The Place: DeSoto Central Market ($14)
The Ingredients: Freshly muddled mint and Fresno chilis, Prairie Cucumber Vodka, Cruzan Strawberry Rum, house-made sweets and sour, a dash of grenadine and topped with soda water, strawberry and mint

The Drink: Iggy Pop
The Place: Old Town Gringos ($10)
The Ingredients: Figenza Vodka, Pomegranate Juice, Lime Juice & Ginger Beer

The Drink: Pom Gimlet
The Place: Two Brothers Tap House & Brewery ($9)
The Ingredients: Two Brothers gin, pomegranate juice, lime juice

The Drink: The Sonoran Samurai
The Place: Thirsty Camel Lounge at The Phoenician ($14)
The Ingredients: If you want a drink that has a sweet note with a spicy kick, this one’s for you! With its mixture of Hendricks’s Gin, Chili Syrup, Red Bell Pepper Juice, Apple Juice, and Lemon Juice it will having you saying ‘Haiya’ want some more

The Drink: The Old Orchard
The Place: Mowry & Cotton ($12)
The Ingredients: A drink that’ll make you feel like you’re relaxing in a refreshing Italian orchard; comprised of arcadia rosemary vodka, limoncello, cucumber, lemon, simple syrup, gruet

The Drink: Lavender Rain
The Place: Sel Restaurant ($18)
The Ingredients: A drink that tastes as pretty as it looks. The combination of Pitchard’s Lemon Vodka, St. Germain, Henriot Champagne, and Lavender Bitters will add a breezy tropical vibe to your day

The Drink: The Dead Hand
The Place: Clever Koi ($11)
The Ingredients: Arette Blanco Tequila, Benedictine, Orgeat, Blackberries, Absintle Float and Fennel Pollen combine to create a summer dream of a cocktail that has flavor notes of black pepper, vanilla, almond and black licorice

The Drink: Less Than Zero (Brett Easton Ellis)
The Place: Honor Amongst Thieves ($12)
The Ingredients: Named after the debut novel of Brett Easton Ellis, (all of their cocktails after named after different literary works!) the Less Than Zero features Casamigos, Rayu Mezcal, Raspberry, Jalapeño, Grand Marnier, and Pink Sea Salt

The Drink: Crudarita
The Place: Crudo ($11)
The Ingredients: Vida Mezcal, Arette Blanco Tequila, Lime, Sugar

The Drink: Enter the Dragoon
The Place: Bitter & Twisted ($12)
The Ingredients: Dragoon IPA and Aperol are smashed together with flavors of lemon, cinnamon, and grapefruit. Finished over crushed ice, this hoppy-by-nature cocktail refreshes and reinvigorates the soul

The Drink: Karen’s Citrus Cooler
The Place: TEXAZ Grill ($7)
The Ingredients: Tito’s Vodka, orange juice, sweet n’ sour and a splash of soda with a lemon and lime wedge

The Drink: No. 30
The Place: Windsor ($10.50)
The Ingredients: Gin, Fresh Grapefruit, Hop Bitters, Cardamom Syrup

The Drink: New Japanese Cocktail
The Place: Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails at Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix ($16)
The Ingredients: Sake, Gin, Orgeat, Fresh Lemon
Lead Bartender: Phil Clark

The Drink: Straight From the Tart
The Place: Pomelo at the Orchard ($10)
The Ingredients: Jim Beam, lemon, strawberry shrub, simple syrup, rhubarb bitters

The Drink: SomeRum to Love
The Place: Pomelo at the Orchard ($10)
The Ingredients: Bacardi rum, lime, genepy, ginger syrup, blueberry shrub, orange bitters

The Drink: S’more Lovin’
The Place: Camp Social ($12)
The Ingredients: Vanilla Vodka, Godiva Chocolate, marshmallow and chocolate syrup

The Drink: Sparkling Sangria
The Place: Salty Sow ($8)
The Ingredients: Elderflower liquor, bubbles, lemon, orange, grapes, and basil

The Drink: Traditional Mojito
The Place: Roaring Fork ($5 during happy hour)
The Ingredients: Bacardi Rum, Mint, Fresh Lemon & Lime

The Drink: Grandma’s Lemonade
The Place: Two Brothers Tap House & Brewery ($9)
The Ingredients: Two Brothers vodka, strawberry, basil and lemonade

The Drink: The Sonoran
The Place: DeSoto Central Market ($14)
The Ingredients: Espolon Blanco tequila, fresh lime juice, orange curacao, house-made citrus and cilantro, topped with angostura bitters and garnished with a flaming orange peel. DeSoto’s take on a summer margarita

The Drink: Strawberry Shamrock
The Place: Kelly’s at Southbridge ($13)
The Ingredients: Effen Cucumber Vodka, Cruzan Strawberry Rum, sour mix, splash grenedine, topped with soda water; garnish with a slice of cucumber and a strawberry

The Drink: Roselito
The Place: Rott n’ Grapes ($10.50)
The Ingredients: Fresh basil, lemon squeeze, agave, rose lemonade, Perelada Rose Cava, garnish with lemon wheel

The Drink: Creole Lemonade
The Place: Southern Rail ($10)
The Ingredients: Cruzan rum, Hanger Citron vodka, Tapatio Reposado tequila, Pimm’s No. 1, lemon juice, honey syrup, crystal hot sauce, lemonade, garnished with lemon wheels, service in Mason jar filled with ice

The Drink: Cactus Cooler
The Place: Two Brothers Tap House & Brewery ($9)
The Ingredients: Two Brothers vodka, cucumber, agave syrup, lime and mint

The Drink: Splash Pad
The Place: Pomelo at the Orchard ($10)
The Ingredients: Deep Eddy grapefruit vodka, egg white, lime, simple syrup, maraschino liqueur, cocchi rosa, orange bitters

The Drink: Socialite
The Place: Citizen Public House ($12)
The Ingredients: The drink that’s the life of the party, sweet with a refreshing twist. Honeydew Absolut vodka, baked cranberry shrub, lime, with orange oleo saccharum this drink is an infusion of taste and flavor you’ve never seen before

The Drink: THE Press
The Place: DeSoto Central Market ($14)
The Ingredients: Freshly muddled cucumber and basil, Three Wells Old Tom Gin, fresh lime juice, liquor de Rose, simple syrup and orange flower water bitters, served over cucumber infused cubes and topped with soda and a splash of Sprite. Our take on a classic press, with a twist

The Drink: Where’s Zeus
The Place: Social Hall ($11)
The Ingredients: A drink descended from the gods, this Strawberry infused mezcal, basil, house-made ginger beer, and lime combo is a sweet refreshing addition to any hot summer day

The Drink: Lilikoi Margarita
The Place: Hula’s Modern Tiki ($8)
The Ingredients: Tequila, passion fruit, sweet & sour, OJ, lime juice