Toast summer goodbye at the beach with these cocktails
Toast Labor Day weekend with one of these hot summer cocktails, available at popular restaurants from Ocean City to Lewes.
Culture Authentic Eatery — white sangria
Made with pinot grigio wine, elderflower liqueur, peach nectar, fresh lemon juice, a splash of citrus soda, fresh strawberries and lemon garnish, it's easy to see why this white sangria cocktail is perfect for summer.
"It's simple, crisp and refreshing — and the perfect way to celebrate a great meal on a warm summer day," said Kimberly DeBoy, bar manager.
Check out the uniqueness:Culture Authentic Eatery in Ocean City unveils new menu
Liquid Assets — summer lemonade
This tart yet sweet cocktail is prepared with house-made grapefruit vodka and lemonade, San Pellegrino Palermo and pamplemousse grapefruit liquor.
It is one of Liquid Assets' best sellers, easily serving more than 100 a day.
"It's as fresh as you can get," said bartender Matt Trowbridge. "It packs a tasty little punch."
Read more: Liquid Assets nabs Condé Nast's top burger honor
Fish Tales — grapefruit crush
For those looking for something a little less sweet to cool off with, look no further than the Orange Crush's beloved cousin, the Grapefruit Crush.
Background:The history of the Orange Crush
Chris Gee, longtime bartender at Fish Tales in Ocean City, said the waterfront restaurant and bar sells more than 8,000 of them in a year.
The bar makes its famed summertime drink with Smirnoff Grapefruit vodka, triple sec, half a fresh grapefruit and a splash of sprite. Bartenders also add a splash of cranberry juice to cut down some of the drink's natural bitterness.
Barn 34 — the barn-tini
What started out as a Valentine's Day special, known as the valen-tini, has secured a permanent spot on Barn 34's cocktail list.
Later changed to the barn-tini, the tasty drink is served in a frosted martini glass and made with Hendricks Gin, St. Germain elderflower liquor and champagne.
"It's incredibly classy and refreshing," bartender Ryan "Rymac" Maccubbin said. "It has just the right amount of kick."
Fin Alley — pineapple mojito
Fenwick Island's newest addition is offering an interesting spin on a classic — a pineapple mojito, made with fresh pineapple puree, fresh-ground mint, Cruzan pineapple rum and splash of club soda.
Bartender Chris Givens said the fruity creation is easily the bar's best seller.
"Fresh ingredients make all the difference," he said. "It has unbelievable flavor. You can't beat it."
Check it out:Fin Alley freshens up Village of Fenwick
Fork and Flask at Nage — fish house punch
When local entrepreneur and restauranteur Josh Grapski thinks about summer, he cannot help but picture Fork and Flask's fish house punch.
And now we understand why.
Made with Blackwell Jamaican rum, cognac, fresh citrus juice and peach brandy, the punch is perfect on a hot summer day. The cocktail is served in a frosted flask, making it ideal for sharing — if your tastebuds will let you.
Papa Grandes — watermelon margarita
Just like a cannonball at a pool party, summer isn't quite complete without a beautiful dinner, al fresco.
And that's exactly what Papa Grandes in Rehoboth Beach offers through an exceptional menu, fresh cocktails and its Spanish-inspired second floor patio.
Be sure to enjoy the restaurant's watermelon margarita made with Sauza Tequila, house-made sour mix with agave nectar and lime juice, and fresh, cold-pressed watermelon juice from Twist Juice Bar in Rehoboth Beach.
Learn more:Rehoboth Beach welcomes Twist Juice Bar
"It's a light and refreshing drink," assistant manager Chad McMaster said. "A very summery take on a classic."
Back Porch Cafe — cool as a cucumber
This cocktail is "summer in a glass," said bartender Bee Neild.
Created with house-made cucumber vodka, watermelon, lemon juice, simple syrup and Campari, Back Porch Cafe's cool as a cucumber martini is sure to make you feel just as cool.
Rehoboth Beach Ale House — the gin-jar
This light and fresh cocktail is incredibly versatile and great for any palate.
The ingredients — gin, muddled cucumbers, mint, fresh squeezed lime, house made ginger simple syrup and a splash of soda water — will keep you coming back for more, even after summer ends.
Check it out:Rehoboth Ale House starts life over as a gastropub
Surfside Bar and Grill — dirty banana
Steve Bowers suggests Surfside's dirty banana as the ultimate, unassuming summer drink.
"It tastes more like a breakfast smoothie," he said. "It's amazing, and dangerous."
It's made with fresh bananas, creme de banana liqueur, Cruzan light rum and Kahula. The cocktail is blended with ice and topped with fresh cream and chocolate sauce — the kind of danger we want to flirt with.
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