When the temperature hovers around 100 degrees — as it so often does during the epic Dallas summers — an icy cold beverage becomes practically a basic human need. While there's certainly no reason you can't drink Old-Fashioneds all year round, here are a dozen-plus must-try summer cocktails that lean toward the light and refreshing end of the spectrum.
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Barter's Rocco Milano makes some of the best damn drinks in town, and thanks to his draft cocktails you won't have to wait long for one. The hilariously named Cloontang is made with Casamigos Blanco tequila (the spirits company was co-founded by George Clooney), blackberry and elderflower tea syrup, fresh lime and pineapple juices and Fever Tree club soda.
The spicy pineapple vodka drink is a summer favorite, but owner and bartender extraordinaire Gabe Sanchez is always shaking up something new -- ask about the prickly pear-tequila drink flavored with a tongue-tingling combo of rosemary and Szechuan peppercorn. Not a tequila fan? We hear there's some kiwi-infused gin in the works, too.
Can't decide between one of the Blind Butcher's many beer selections or a cocktail? Get the best of both worlds with the Hop Trip, made with Hophead vodka (distilled with two kinds of hops), honey syrup, lemon juice, egg white, bitters and pale ale.
Close your eyes and point to Bolsa's menu and you'll undoubtedly get something delicious everytime, but the Violet Beauregard tastes like summer in a glass -- Tito's vodka, St. Germain, blueberries, basil and a little red wine float.
Gin & tonics are one of the most refreshing summer drinks in existence, and thanks to Michael Martensen, Knife is giving the G&T the respect it deserves. Try one Spanish-style, made with one of several different artisanal tonics and served over plenty of ice in a stemless wine glasses and garnished with aromatic kaffir lime leaves or juniper berries.
The Moscow Mule has broken into the mainstream over the past few years, but Lark is keeping it fresh with a summery variation they call the Mangifera Mule, which adds mango nectar and orange bitters to the usual ginger beer/lime/vodka combo.
[Photo: Jimmy Ngo/Eight-O Management]
This friendly neighborhood spot has a killer namesake cocktail that's made with Tito's vodka, pickled red onion, basil, thyme and lemon juice for a refreshingly summery alternative to a martini. (Sounds weird, tastes delicious.)
If, like so many others, cold-brew coffee is your summer beverage of choice, People's has a cocktail for you. The "Rumble, Young Man, Rumble" is made with cold-brewed coffee from Oak Cliff Coffee Roasters, coffee and vanilla bean-infused Plantation 3 Star rum, milk and sugar for a refreshing pick-me-up that'll get you doubly buzzed.
If you dismiss any cocktail containing strawberries as a "girly drink," think again: The Savor Cup is made with Reyka vodka, strawberry-rosemary syrup, lemon and ginger beer for a refreshingly dry cocktail with a savory edge. (The awesome views of Klyde Warren Park from the outdoor lounge don't hurt, either.)
It's easy to get lost in The Standard Pour's cocktail bible they call a menu, but when in doubt, look to the "signature cocktails" section for unique creations like the Texas Two Sip, a summery shaken concoction made with locally distilled Waterloo gin, grapefruit, velvet falernum, prickly pear puree and lime juice and served up in an oh-so-fancy coupe glass.
Kick back in the back of an old broken-down pickup truck at this insanely popular Lower Greenville compound and order up a round of Twisted Mules, a twist on the ubiquitous Moscow Mule made with vodka, ginger beer, lemon and tea syrup.
Tasty cocktails, build-your-own burgers and bocce ball awaits at this recent addition to Lower Greenville. The cocktail menu is solid all around, but the frothy Grapefruit Basil Fizz (gin, egg white, St. Germain, grapefruit, basil, soda) is an excellent choice for the current blazing hot conditions.
Miso in a cocktail? Absolutely. The Art of War is the clever creation of barman Alex Fletcher, which puts a spin on the usual highly refreshing gin-and-cucumber concoction with the additions of miso, lemon juice and clover honey.
Barter's Rocco Milano makes some of the best damn drinks in town, and thanks to his draft cocktails you won't have to wait long for one. The hilariously named Cloontang is made with Casamigos Blanco tequila (the spirits company was co-founded by George Clooney), blackberry and elderflower tea syrup, fresh lime and pineapple juices and Fever Tree club soda.
The spicy pineapple vodka drink is a summer favorite, but owner and bartender extraordinaire Gabe Sanchez is always shaking up something new -- ask about the prickly pear-tequila drink flavored with a tongue-tingling combo of rosemary and Szechuan peppercorn. Not a tequila fan? We hear there's some kiwi-infused gin in the works, too.
Can't decide between one of the Blind Butcher's many beer selections or a cocktail? Get the best of both worlds with the Hop Trip, made with Hophead vodka (distilled with two kinds of hops), honey syrup, lemon juice, egg white, bitters and pale ale.
Close your eyes and point to Bolsa's menu and you'll undoubtedly get something delicious everytime, but the Violet Beauregard tastes like summer in a glass -- Tito's vodka, St. Germain, blueberries, basil and a little red wine float.
Gin & tonics are one of the most refreshing summer drinks in existence, and thanks to Michael Martensen, Knife is giving the G&T the respect it deserves. Try one Spanish-style, made with one of several different artisanal tonics and served over plenty of ice in a stemless wine glasses and garnished with aromatic kaffir lime leaves or juniper berries.
The Moscow Mule has broken into the mainstream over the past few years, but Lark is keeping it fresh with a summery variation they call the Mangifera Mule, which adds mango nectar and orange bitters to the usual ginger beer/lime/vodka combo.
[Photo: Jimmy Ngo/Eight-O Management]
This friendly neighborhood spot has a killer namesake cocktail that's made with Tito's vodka, pickled red onion, basil, thyme and lemon juice for a refreshingly summery alternative to a martini. (Sounds weird, tastes delicious.)
If, like so many others, cold-brew coffee is your summer beverage of choice, People's has a cocktail for you. The "Rumble, Young Man, Rumble" is made with cold-brewed coffee from Oak Cliff Coffee Roasters, coffee and vanilla bean-infused Plantation 3 Star rum, milk and sugar for a refreshing pick-me-up that'll get you doubly buzzed.
If you dismiss any cocktail containing strawberries as a "girly drink," think again: The Savor Cup is made with Reyka vodka, strawberry-rosemary syrup, lemon and ginger beer for a refreshingly dry cocktail with a savory edge. (The awesome views of Klyde Warren Park from the outdoor lounge don't hurt, either.)
It's easy to get lost in The Standard Pour's cocktail bible they call a menu, but when in doubt, look to the "signature cocktails" section for unique creations like the Texas Two Sip, a summery shaken concoction made with locally distilled Waterloo gin, grapefruit, velvet falernum, prickly pear puree and lime juice and served up in an oh-so-fancy coupe glass.
Kick back in the back of an old broken-down pickup truck at this insanely popular Lower Greenville compound and order up a round of Twisted Mules, a twist on the ubiquitous Moscow Mule made with vodka, ginger beer, lemon and tea syrup.
Tasty cocktails, build-your-own burgers and bocce ball awaits at this recent addition to Lower Greenville. The cocktail menu is solid all around, but the frothy Grapefruit Basil Fizz (gin, egg white, St. Germain, grapefruit, basil, soda) is an excellent choice for the current blazing hot conditions.
Miso in a cocktail? Absolutely. The Art of War is the clever creation of barman Alex Fletcher, which puts a spin on the usual highly refreshing gin-and-cucumber concoction with the additions of miso, lemon juice and clover honey.
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