The perfect sidekick for soaking up summer rays is often a cold drink. From caffeinated concoctions that pack a sweet or boozy punch to refreshing fruity creations that are as fun to look at as they are to sip, and some creative cocktails in between, we’ve got a list of nine fantastic summertime drinks found in Vancouver right now.
Famous Fruit Punch at Rajio Japanese Public House
This stunning drink at Rajio Japanese Public House has it all: A fruit punch with watermelon, apple, grapefruit, and orange, served up in a mini watermelon fruit bowl. Have it without booze or with rum, aka the Smashing Hit Punch.
Rajio Japanese Public House
Address: 3763 W.10th Avenue
Phone: 604-558-1679
Website: www.rajiopublichouse.com
Epic Espresso Milkshake at 49th Parallel
Chill out with this caffeinated kick and sweet treat in one courtesy 49th Parallel. Their signature summertime hit is their Epic Espresso whirled up with vanilla gelato and a bit of ground coffee.
49th Parallel
Address: 2902 Main Street (Mount Pleasant) and 2198 West 4th Avenue (Kitsilano)
Website: 49thcoffee.com
Avocado Gimlet at L’Abattoir
Photo courtesy L’Abattoir
Avocado in guacamole, sure. Avocado in a gimlet? Why not? This is one of L’Abattoir’s most popular cocktails, and its fresh flavours are perfect for summer in Vancouver. The drink was inspired by the laid back and healthy west coast lifestyle, and it’s made with fresh avocado, fresh lime, and Apfelkorn – a German apple schnapps. The silky texture is hailed by the restaurant as being like “an adult breakfast smoothie.” Brunch time might be perfect for ordering one up.
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L’Abattoir
Address: 217 Carrall Street
Phone: 604-568-1701
Website: www.labattoir.ca
Orange Wine at Belgard Kitchen
Photo courtesy Belgard Kitchen
Orange wine? Yes! Belgard Kitchen has Sperling Vineyards’ Natural ‘Orange’ Pinot Gris 2014 on tap through the rest of the summer. Orange wine is the result of “old school” natural winemaking; it’s fermented without commerical yeast and finished without filtration, fining or artificial preservation. The skin’s prolonged contact to the grape in the process makes it orange. This is a chance to try this small-batch wine from Kelowna here in Vancouver.
Belgard Kitchen
Address: 55 Dunlevy Avenue
Phone: 604-699-1989
Website: belgardkitchen.com
Stumptown Cold Brew Nitro Drinks at Giovane Café
Photo courtesy Giovane Café
Portland born Stumptown Coffee has slowly expanded their reach and their products, and their unique Nitro Cold Brew coffee is available exclusively at Vancouver’s Fairmont Pacific Rim’s Giovane Café. For the summer, the Pacific Rim’s Head Bartender, Grant Sceney, worked with the coffee’s flavour profiles to come up with two specialty drinks. The Chocolate Root Beer Nitro Cold-Brew turns up the chocolate notes of the nitro coffee with Fee Brothers chocolate bitters, and is complemented by the spice of their housemade root beer. The Forbidden Cold Brew is definitely a grown up drink; it’s got Bacardi 8 Year Old Rum added to the Chocolate Root Beer Cold Brew drink. Try it over ice for an even deeper flavour.
Giovane Café at the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel
Address: 1038 Canada Place
Phone: 604-695-5501
Website: giovanecafe.com
Basque in the Joys of Summer Cocktails at Chambar
Photos courtesy Chambar
This list of stunning cocktails at Chambar were inspired by bartender Wendy McGuinness’ recent travels in Spain. Though McGuinness has recently said farewell to Chambar after a few years, her beautiful drinks will still be poured this summer. All the drinks have that “more-ish” flavour, with each sip offering a different nuance of the melange of spirits and accents, with clean finishes that don’t weigh down the palate. Ideal for summertime drinking (particularly on Chambar’s fabulous patio) this drink list includes three standout drinks: Urban Sombrero (Mezcal, Thyme infused Lillet Blonde, Rhubarb shrub, citrus, Peychaud bitters); Master of my Domain (Cachaca 51, Elderflower vemouth, Aperol, Citrus Hennessy VS burn, orange bitters); and Basque Sour (Beefeater Gin, Amontillado Sherry, Citrus, Orgeat syrup, Bordeaux wine float).
Chambar
Address: 568 Beatty Street
Phone: 604-879-7119
Website: www.chambar.com