Five Summer Cocktails To Try

By Amy Cavanaugh in Food on Jun 17, 2012 4:00PM

It's going to be a scorcher this week, which means there's no better time to sidle up to a bar and sip an icy cocktail. Here are five of our recent favorites.

• Spring Training at Michael Jordan's Steak House
Made with Lillet Blanc, Pernod, lemon, honey, Lost Coast Wheat Beer, and Creole bitters, Spring Training is an update on a shandy. It's lightly sweet and refreshing, which is exactly what hot weather calls for.

• Margarita Maya at Aria
The classic margarita gets some fire from jalapenos, while pineapple juice adds a sweet bit of acidity. We've been seeing spicy margaritas around a lot lately, but this is the best.

• Rye Manhattan at Big Jones
Though not exactly summery, Manhattans are our favorite cocktail and we'll drink one anytime. Big Jones' version takes its Manhattan to another level with corn cob syrup and chicory and rosehip bitters.

• Mango Basil Mojito at Frontera Grill
The basil cuts the mango's sweetness, and the Yucatan D'Aristi rum comes through without being too strong.

• Dark and Stormy at Elate
Dark and Stormies taste like the height of summer. Elate's version adds rosemary-brown sugar syrup to the classic combination of dark rum and ginger beer.