It’s summertime. You’re thirsty. A tall glass of water has its place, but sometimes, what you really need is a well-crafted, refreshing cocktail to take the edge off a 100-plus-degree day. We’ve sipped and sampled our way through some of the area’s best drinks, and handpicked fire you need to try. Kids have the ice-cream truck to get excited about this summer; you have these top-shelf libations.
By Audrey Sellers
PASSIONFRUIT MOJITO
Garnished with a bright slice of orange and fresh sprig of mint, Cheesecake Factory’s Passionfruit Mojito has a lovely summery vibe. This golden-hued drink is almost like a Southlake sunset captured in a glass. It’s pretty, y’all. And it’s oh-sorefreshing made with Captain Morgan, passion fruit, Cruzan Single Barrel Rum and mint. If you’re looking for a fresh take on the classic mojito, you’ll love this drink’s tropical twist.
Cheesecake Factory Southlake
CHAMPAGNE MARGARITA
The Champagne Margarita is part expertly crafted cocktail and part spectacle in a martini glass. Streaming dry ice makes this concoction a sight to see – and definitely one to savor this summer. It starts with handsqueezed juices and 100 percent agave tequila from
Mi Día’s grand tequila tower. The Jamaica version is made with hibiscus sorbet, Clase Azul Silver and St- Germain; the Guava version is made with guava sorbet, Chinaco Silver and Veev. Both are topped off with Proseco. Consider this margarita a must-sip and a must-see.
Mi Día From Scratch Grapevine
OCEAN TRUST TROPIC HEAT MARTINI
It doesn’t just taste good – the Ocean Trust Tropic Heat Martini also does good. When you order up this sweet and spicy cocktail at Bonefish Grill, $1 is donated to Ocean Trust, an award-winning ocean conservation foundation. We’ll drink to that. This martini, as its name reveals, definitely packs some sweet heat. It’s made with fresh pineapple that has been soaked in Absolut vodka for three days, muddled mango, lemon and a hint of jalapeño spice.
Bonefish Grill Southlake
DRAGON PRIDE MARTINI
Just the name alone got us excited to taste the new favorite at Il Calabrese. We’ll try anything with the words “Dragon Pride” in it. This martini didn’t disappoint. It’s simple, sweet, and of course, it’s green. A mixture of Malibu, Midori liquor (which gives the drink its Dragon green hue) and pineapple juice are shaken together and topped off with soda. Bartenders crafted it especially for a party, and it was so well received that they gave the Dragon Pride Martini a permanent spot on the menu. It’s also part of $5 martini night every Thursday from 4 p.m. to close. If you have Dragon Pride (and you’re at least 21), you’ve got to try this one.
Il Calabrese Southlake
BAYOU BELLE
When you take a sip of the beautifully vibrant Bayou Belle, you feel as if you should be lounging on a beach somewhere – not perched at the bar at Copeland’s (although that’s not a bad spot to be). This martini has all the fl - vors of summer. And by flavors, we mean pineapple. It’s made with Cruzan Pineapple Rum, Island Blue Pucker and pineapple. If you love a great tropical-tasting drink, don’t miss the Bayou Belle.
Copeland’s Southlake