4 Great Early-Summer Cocktails and Where to Drink Them
Saturday, May 28, 2011
It may have taken awhile, but it seems spring has finally sprung in Rhode Island (and instantly turned into summer). With the arrival of the warm weather comes a whole bevy of new seasonal ingredients. But those rushing out to munch down on fresh asparagus and soft shell crabs shouldn’t forget to check the drink menu too. The crisp and citrusy palette of spring lends itself exceptionally well to cocktails, and there are few things more refreshing than a well-balanced drink on a warm evening. So stow away the muddling spices with your boots, and crack out the mint and cucumber. GoLocalProv has rounded up some of the best early-summer cocktails Rhode Island has to offer.
The Mezcal Old Fashioned at The Avery, Providence
This discreet art-deco lounge harkens back to the era of prohibition speakeasies, and is a favorite among cocktail aficionados. Their menu is filled with delicious concoctions, but if you want a truly unique seasonal creation be sure to try out the Mezcal Old Fashioned. A clever riff on a classic formula, the Mezcal Old Fashioned features smoky Mezcal tequila sweetened with a small amount of agave nectar, dashed with orange bitters, and topped with soda water. The resulting potion is remarkably smooth and drinkable, and Mezcal’s natural stimulating effects make it perfect drink for those seeking an after-dinner “kick.” 18 Luongo Square, Providence.
Strawberry Kryptonite at Tini, Providence
What’s that? It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s fresh strawberries! Nothing says late spring like the brilliant crimson of a plump strawberry, and the mixologists at Providence’s chic Tini restaurant have successfully capitalized on this vernal delight with the Strawberry Kryptonite. They start by muddling fresh strawberries in a glass, then adding lemon juice, sugar syrup, gin, and an egg white. The egg makes the drink velvety smooth while also accentuating the aromatic elements of the gin. The drink provides, as they say at Tini: “Strawberry goodness even Superman would be powerless against!” 200 Washington St, Providence, 383-2400.
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Newport is a great place to enjoy all things summery, and cocktails are no exception. Those looking for an especially cooling creation should make their way over to Fluke and order up an Ocean Drive Martini. The key to this drink is its simplicity: gin and lime juice with muddled mint and cucumber. The botanicals of the gin are already well suited to the season and the lime juice gives the beverage a citrusy edge. However, it is the subtle cooling effect of the mint coupled with the crisp, clean hint of cucumber that makes the drink so exceptionally refreshing. Perfect as an afternoon sipper or an aperitif. 41 Bowens Wharf, Newport, 849-7778.
The Sailor at Perro Salado, Newport
The spacious outdoor deck and seating area make Perro Salado an ideal place to enjoy the warm weather. Some find it hard to resist the gravitational pull of the Margarita when dining at a Mexican restaurant like Perro—and their creative offerings don’t make this task any easier—but if you manage to peruse the menu a little further you’ll come across The Sailor, a delightful blend of spiced rum, muddled lemon and gran marnier. While it may sound simple, The Sailor offers a remarkably complex flavor: with the gran marnier augmenting the orange notes of the rum, and the zest of the muddled lemon imparting a distinct citrus zing to the drink. 19 Charles St, Newport, 619-4777.
Related Articles
- The Avery: Cocktail Heaven in the West End
- Five Things: Fluke, Newport
- Five Things: Tini, Providence
- Five Things: Perro Salado, Newport
