Top Six in the 6: Best Summer Cocktails
We're deep in the heart of summer, which means humid days and sultry nights. The solution? Grab one of these refreshing cocktails from our fave spots around the city and cool down in style.
Dreamy Sangria
KaKa
Sangria is a summer staple, but you might have guessed that Toronto's premium all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant wouldn't do things by the book. KaKa opened their 30-seat patio on Bay Street, and with it a brand new patio menu, featuring lighter dishes from $5 to $10. Head chef Frank Liu has created a European and Japanese twist on the classic cocktail called Dreamy Sangria. Unlike the traditional drink, it's served with saké fruit jelly, edible flowers and dry ice, for a fun summery feel.
Pasquale’s Daughter
Bar Altura
When it comes to cocktails at this new spot on Queen Street West, you can take your pick of colourful, summery sippers. But our personal favourite is Pasquale’s Daughter (far right), Bar Altura's purple cocktail served in a tall glass and garnished with cucumber. Butterfly pea infused vodka gives this tipple its bright hues, and the addition of ginger, Cointreau and lemon juice gives it a depth of flavour that will make you want to savour it at golden hour.
Drunk in Love
Baro
Sure, we could eat watermelon any time of the year, but there's something so appealing about the juicy fruit in the summer. Baro (and Beyonce) know where it's at with their Drunk in Love cocktail – an homage to the watermelon that combines vodka, cucumber, fresh lime and mint to the fruit for a thirst quenching summer aperitif. Enjoy this cocktail and more South American inspired "cócteles," like the Frozen Tromba Margarita or the Pisco Sour.
Domino
Quetzal
Ever since we heard about Quetzal, a wood-fired Mexican restaurant from Kate Chomyshyn, Grant van Gameren, Julio Guajardo, and Owen Walker, we've been on tenterhooks. The restaurant, which features is the 26-foot-long open flame cooking area, finally opened today – but it's the cocktails we think are en fuego. Domino is a refined, martini drinkers alternative that aligns Mexican and Ontarian flavours, with spruce tip, hoja santa, lime zest and pear flavours.
AJ Fernando
Little Spanish Garden
Madrina
The Distillery District's latest restaurant has got everyone excited with its star chef and exciting tapas menu. But food isn't the only reason to visit Madrina – bar manager, Andrew Thisby, has put together an exciting drink programme that sees sangria and gin take centre stage, with some noteworthy cocktails. Our fave: Little Spanish Garden, which combines Bloom gin with lemon juice, lavender syrup and an absinthe wash.
Casey Tanaka
Onna Yokai
Koi Koi Bar
We've long been fans of saké – so we were thrilled when Koi Koi Saké Bar opened up in Kensington Market. The bar, which specializes in the Japanese rice wine, has a huge selection from all over the island nation and plenty of happy hours for you to try them all out in. We're digging the Onna Yokai which combines rose syrup, vodka, shochu, lime juice.
Caroline Aksich
