Once warm weather hits Chicago, there’s no reason needed to indulge in a cocktail other than the fact that’s temperatures are no longer below freezing. We suggest celebrating the season with one of these five cocktails, which are basically summer in a glass.
Haute Top 5: The Best Summer Cocktails in Chicago
1 The Summertime Fling at STK
Stop by STK in the loop for an affair with the new-to-the-menu Summertime Fling, made with Brugal rum, rose wine, St. Germain and cranberry and topped with bubbles.
9 W. Kinzie St.
2 Orange Soda Slushy at Chop Shop
File this one under: It's so delicious it's dangerous. Chop Shop's well-disguised boozy beverage is made of Zubrowka vodka, triple sec, pineapple, orange, lemon juice, orange bitters and orange cream soda.
2033 W. North Ave.
3 Orchard Jenny at Raised Bar
Mixologist William Nykaza’s switches up the cocktail menu at Raised Bar each season. Our favorite addition for summer has to be the Orchard Jenny, a savory blend of The Botanist Gin, orchard pear, apricot eau-de-vie, suze, lime, agave, house-made orange bitters and Cock n’ Bull Ginger Beer.
1 W. Wacker
4 Italian Luau at CH Distillery
Everything on CH Distillery's new-for-summer Tiki Menu looks delicious, but perhaps the most fun: The Italian Luau. It's made with CH's own dry gin, cherry liqueur and Dogma Bitter Dog, and topped off with strawberry and pineapple. Paper umbrella included.
564 West Randolph St.
5 San Pancho at Gemini Bistro
Lincoln Park's Gemini Bistro offers a tropical take on the classic Margarita with its San Pancho cocktail: It starts with Gemini Sanalipas Mezcal, Milagro, and lime, and is finished with crushed pineapple and habanero bitters. Salud, indeed.
2075 N. Lincoln Ave.
