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Summertime Sipping: Top Picks for the Best of Virginia Adult Beverages

“It’s Not the Heat, It’s the Humidity” should be the official mantra of summertime in Virginia. With the season of swelter in full swing, AC and chilled drinks are a must. If the dog days of summer are getting you down, we have the perfect antidote: summer cocktails! The Commonwealth is full of seasonal drinks that are sure to refresh and rejuvenate. Want in on this action? Read on for the ultimate list of summertime sips in VA:

Ice Cold Craft Cocktails

Craft beers and Virginia wine are staples for happy hour with friends, but when you’re looking for something special to wind down for the weekend, nothing beats the heat like a chilled craft cocktail

Roanoke’s Fortunato has stolen our hearts with their “A Bird of Sorts” cocktail. It’s made with aged rum, Cappelletti, Oloroso Sherry, honey, pineapple, and salt. Yummy? Check. Refreshing? Also check. Laura Lee’s in Richmond is mixing it up a bit with their seasonal spritz made with Belle Isle ruby red grapefruit moonshine, rosé cava, lemon, and soda. Drink it up and thank us later.

The Emerald Lounge is one of my favorite spots in Richmond because they serve up delicious tropical cocktails. Many of their drinks are rum based, but they have plenty of variety on the menu that you’ll definitely be able to find something you like. Ask for their “drink of the week” if you want to save a few bucks and don’t forget they have happy hour from 5-7 PM Monday-Friday! We recently enjoyed some cocktails on their patio which is small but very cute!

If you are looking for a refreshing beverage that’s been perfectly paired with your meal, then check out Rooster & Owl in Washington D.C. Since day one, their seasonal fare has included a highly crafted bar menu with drinks like the “Almost Naked & Barely Famous,” which is a combination of Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, Yellow Chartreuse, Elderflower, and Blood Orange. Bonus points: custom ice cubes that feature their adorbs rooster and owl logo.

Looking for some other places with killer craft cocktails? Check these out::

Wine Slushies And Blended Bevvies

Images: Bear Chase Brewing, Tupelo Honey, Bluemont Vineyard

You can’t swipe a thumb through Instagram without seeing a luscious wine slushy this summer. They’re certainly a frosty way to quench your thirst, and hey — alcohol is always a plus. Bluemont Vineyard in Bluemont is always one of our fave places to visit, and their wine slushies are peak summertime fun. If you’re looking for a tropical twist, check out Middleburg’s Chrysalis Vineyards’ Mango Wine slushie.

Want more slushy goodness? Just about any vineyard in the commonwealth has a blended version of their wine during the summer season. The more you know! ????

Fruits Of The Season

Images: Harriman’s Grill, Farmers Fishers Bakers, @vagrowler via Civil Libation

In our book, summertime means fruity goodness. Is there a better way to cool off than with a cocktail featuring fresh fruit? Uh, we think not. “Pink Prince” is a cocktail from The Jasper in Richmond that’s made with rhum agricole, sloe gin, aperitif wine, sotol, black currant, raspberry, and lemon. Getting your daily dose of vitamins while getting your drink on should always be a summertime goal. 

Searching for more fruit-filled cocktails? Try these places:

Non-Alcoholic Coolers

Images: Boulevard Burger, Red Root & Co, Ocha Thai Kitchen

If alcohol is not your thing, there are still so many ways to cool off Virginia-style this summer. Cresent Simples make a perfect starter for any fizzy-water drink and adds a touch of class for homemade drinks. No list of cooling summer drinks would be complete without milkshakes! Boulevard Burger & Brew has an extensive selection of shakes so rich and creamy they could be a meal on their own. They’re a perfect pairing with traditional summer fare of burgers and ‘dogs.

Red Root & Co uses traditional herbal recipes to create their Shrubs, Oxymels, and syrups. Try a berry seltzer with their Rhubarb Verbena Shrub and a squeeze of lime over ice for a refreshing drink with no regrets.

Many of your favorite restaurants add tasty cold treats in the summer months and Ocha Thai Kitchen in Centerville has lots of ways to cool off this season. Try the Iced Matcha with Creme Brûlée, the Mango Creamy Cheese Smoothie, or any one of their takes on traditional Thai tea.

Try This At Home

Images: Sorva Syrup, Belle Isle

The real joy of summer sipping is sharing a drink on the deck among close friends and family. Keep the party local with these easy summer cocktails from Virginia makers.

Cold Brew Negroni
Recipe: Belle Isle Shine

  • 1 oz. Belle Isle Cold Brew Coffee
  • 1 oz. Campari
  • 1 oz. sweet vermouth
  • Combine ingredients in a mixing glass with ice, stir lightly, and strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with orange peel.

Hibiscus Mai Tai

  • 3/4 oz. Lime juice 
  • 1/2 oz. Orange Curacao
  • 1/4 oz. Orgeat or dash almond extract
  • 1/2 oz. Peach Hibiscus Syrup 
  • 2 oz. Vitae Spirits Golden Rum
  • (Dash coconut rum, if desired)
  • Combine all ingredients in a shaker filled with crushed ice. Shake, then pour into a glass

The Bee’z Kneez

Recipe: A. Smith Bowman Distillery

  • 2 oz Sunset Hills gin
  • 1/4 oz lemon mint shrub 
  • 1/4 oz honey simple syrup 
  • Place all ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake well and pour into a glass. Garnish with mint and lemon zest. Enjoy.

The Orange Crush

Recipe: The Beach House Kitchen

  • 2 oz. Cirrus vodka
  • 1 oz. Cointreau
  • 3 oz. orange juice, freshly squeezed, about one large navel orange
  • Splash of lemon-lime soda
  • orange peel or orange slice for garnish
  • Ice
  • Add vodka, Cointreau, and orange juice to a glass filled with ice. Top with a splash of lemon-lime soda and mix well. Garnish with orange peel or orange slice.

Tip: Make your crush go local with Cirrus Vodka, made in Richmond, Virginia.

We hope you enjoy this list of summertime cocktails to keep you cool! After all, we’re Virginians, too—we know the struggle is real in the sweltering summer heat. Try a cocktail or make one with friends. Don’t forget to tag #VAfoodie in your pics of luscious summer libations, and enjoy your drinks!

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