From OC to Lewes, sip on summer's hottest cocktails (original) (raw)
Toast the weekend with one of these hot summer cocktails, available at popular restaurants from Lewes to Ocean City.
**Lewes
Striper Bites — Ruby Red Breezer 107 Savannah Road, Lewes
Absolute Ruby Red Grapefruit Vodka, cranberry and grapefruit juice, a splash of orange juice and club soda, shaken with fresh fruit slices.
"It's perfect for summer," said Todd Manning, longtime bartender and drink creator. "All of the fruit flavors make it sweet and refreshing."
Nectar — Beauty Balm 111 Neils Alley, Lewes
Strawberry, raspberry, carrots and oranges blended into a juice drink. Enjoy it virgin or add vodka for a kick.
"If healthy had a flavor, it would be this juice drink," said Karen Walls, Lewes resident. "It's insanely delicious. And I always add vodka."
**Rehoboth Beach
Hobos — Hobosexual Martini 56 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth
Sour cherry lemonade, Titos Vodka and a secret ingredient only Chef Gretchen Hanson knows.
"This drink is sinful," said Ryan Lewis, Rehoboth regular.
The Cultured Pearl — Pom Queen Martini 301 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth
Pearl Pomegranate Vodka, Pama Liqueur, pomegranate juice with a sugar rim.
"Sweet and refreshing," said Susan Townley Wood, owner. "Just like summer should be."
**Dewey Beach
Nalu — Back Scratcher 1308 Coastal Hwy, Dewey Beach
Captain Morgan Coconut Rum, Blue Curacao, banana liquor, pineapple juice. Complimentary bamboo back scratcher.
"This baby will get you," said Jimmy Young, bartender. "But then you can chill out with the back scratcher."
Woody's — Woody Bomb aka Hand Grenade 1904 DE-1, Dewey Beach
Cake vodka, cherry vodka and red bull.
"Be careful with this one," said Nicole Alexander, longtime bartender. "It's so good, and known for sneaking up on you."
**Bethany Beach
Café Cottage — Boardwalk Cocktail 33034 Coastal Hwy, Bethany Beach
Cruzan Rum, peach schnapps, peach juice and ice blended together. Topped with champagne.
"It is the perfect mix of fresh and fancy," said Melanie Petrie, bar manager. "It's our most popular drink, hands down."
Off the Hook — Raspberry Fizz 769 Garfield Pkwy, Bethany Beach
Muddled raspberries, lime and Smirnoff Vodka topped with a splash of simple syrup and club soda over ice.
"It's a relatively simple drink and extremely refreshing," said Meghan O'Malley, manager. "It pairs well with, basically, the entire menu."
**Fenwick
Ropewalk — Blueberry Lemonade Crush 700 Coastal Hwy, Fenwick Island
Muddled blueberries, fresh squeezed lemon juice, blueberry vodka, a splash of simple syrup and Sprite.
"The Blueberry Lemonade Crush has been extremely popular this season," said Abigail Nitz, bartender. "It's an interesting spin on the crush. It's sweet and tart at the same time, perfect for summer."
Harpoon Hanna's — Orange Crush 39064 Harpoon Road, Fenwick Island
Freshly squeezed orange juice, Smirnoff Orange Twist Vodka, Triple Sec and a splash of Sierra Mist.
"We added the crush to our menu about 10 years ago," said Lauren Kurz, marketing and event coordinator. "We easily sell a few thousand each summer. You can't go wrong with a classic."
**Ocean City
Sunset Grille — The Painkiller 12933 Sunset Ave., Ocean City
Malibu and Kraken rum, orange, pineapple and coconut juice, finished with fresh nutmeg.
"It's really refreshing," said Sam Shoaf, bartender. "The nutmeg balances the sweetness from the pineapple and coconut. It's an amazing summer drink."
Liquid Assets — Wide Awake Drunk Ocean Plaza Mall Shopping Center, 9301 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City
Smirnoff, Kahlua and chilled espresso, topped with frothed milk.
"It's the perfect drink to end the night," said Paula Ross, general manager and event coordinator. "It's name is fitting. Not to mention, it's absolutely fabulous."
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