Sip Your Way Through Summer With These Refreshing Cocktails
Summer days bring about a flurry of activity in Newport Beach. From boating on the bay to wining and dining al fresco, the opportunities to enjoy our sunny-and-75 climate are infinite! But perhaps one of the most popular summer activities is bellying up to the bar for a refreshing libation. This season, Newport Beach restaurants and bars are bringing their “A” game with crafty cocktails that’ll quench your thirst. Whether you prefer your beverage blended, on the rocks or neat, these six concoctions are sure to set your watch to summertime.
Drink: So-Cal Peach
Where to Sip: Malibu Farm
The perfect post-beach beverage, Malibu Farm’s new seasonal So-Cal Peach cocktail features a crafty blend of peach-infused reposado tequila, pineapple, basil, agave, fresh lime juice and sweet pineapple salt. Bring your sandy toes to this farm-to-table restaurant and sip the afternoon away as you relish sweeping views of Newport Harbor. This peachy cocktail is summer in a glass!
Drink: Keeping Up With The Cosmopolitans
Where to Sip: A+O Restaurant | Bar
Famous for its waterfront views and a rotating list of seasonal cocktails, A+O Restaurant | Bar at Balboa Bay Resort is the perfect place to soak in the summer vibes. Try one of their new cocktails like the Coco Loco with coconut water and tequila or, our favorite, the Keeping Up With The Cosmopolitans. This refreshing sip is crafted with 818 Reposado Tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, pomegranate juice and agave nectar. Sip the day away under the restaurant’s umbrellas as you watch the boats pass by.
Drink: Shiso Dirty Martini
Where to Sip: Olea
Olea’s cocktail of the month this July is the Shiso Dirty—a potent blend of Belvedere Vodka, olive brine, a touch of yuzu pepper sauce, a hint of citrus and spice and a shiso leaf to garnish with caper berries to round out it out. Sip back and relax on the restaurant’s expanded patio, and cheers to a splendid summer evening. Be sure to pair your cocktail with a dozen of Olea’s fresh-shucked oysters!
Drink: Pimm’s Cup
Where to Sip: The Beachcomber Cafe
After a few hours on the beach in Crystal Cove, please your palate with an ice-cold Pimm’s Cup from The Beachcomber Cafe. This full-service restaurant and bar sits on the sand and serves up a variety of refreshing cocktails in addition to brunch, lunch and dinner. If you’re in the mood for something light and sweet, the Pimm’s Cup features a refreshing blend of Nolet’s Gin, Pimm’s No. 1 Cup, lemonade, sparkling soda lemon, strawberries, cucumber and orange.
Drink: Stardust
Where to Sip: Topside Roof Deck
Summer beach house vibes come to life at Topside—Newport Beach’s only rooftop bar. This trendy hotspot sits atop the Lido House hotel, offering a little slice of heaven for those who want to sip and stay awhile. From up here, the views are immaculate, but the new lineup of summer cocktails is also a major draw. Try the Stardust—a crafty mix of El Silencio Mezcal, Aperol, Chartreuse, passionfruit, vanilla, lemon and egg white. Warning: you may want another.
Drink: Heat of the Dragon
Where to Sip: Sushi Roku
Tucked in Fashion Island, this premier sushi destination not only serves up some seriously fresh fish but also crafts some seriously amazing cocktails. Order the Heat of the Dragon and sip a spicy mix of tequila, Cointreau, lime, kumquat and serrano pepper. Pair this nifty concoction with the eight-piece Gensai roll made with cucumber, jalapeno and avocado, all topped with salmon and kizami wasabi. Now that’ll have you feelin’ the burn!
Written By: Kaylin Waizinger
