You’re sitting on a patio, a serene summer breeze blows by, you lean in and pick up an ice cold cocktail glass and take the first sip. Instant satisfaction. Few things are as simply sublime as a summery drink on a hot day, and with patios now open across the city, there’s a bounty of places to get that fix. The drinks on this list will momentarily whisk you away to the crystal waters of the Caribbean or help suspend reality on a rooftop above the city.
Apt 200’s Catamaran Punch
The Queen West club is getting in on the cocktail action, introducing a patio-friendly version of the quintessential club component: bottle service. Tired of waiting for a refill? No worries, this cocktail comes in a 3.5 litre glass dispenser that sits atop the table, ready when you are. They do four versions of these punch bowls but the Catamaran Punch tastes like sipping a drink on a yacht, off the coast of a private island. The rum, dry vermouth, guava, peach tea and lime will have your dreams running wild.
$85. 1034 Queen West, apt200.com.
Pompette’s Nitro Colada
This French bistro is fairly new but has quickly become a go-to spot on the Little Italy strip. They’re currently working on opening Bar Pompette, a cafe and bar, elsewhere on College but for now check out the restaurant’s quaint covered patio and try the floral Pisco Ramos. Pisco, orange blossom water, fresh citrus, simple syrup, cream, egg white and soda water come together to make a cocktail that’s simultaneously rich and refreshing.
$15. 597 College West, pompette.ca.
The Broadview Hotel’s Sake Double Punch
The rooftop terrace at the Broadview Hotel has one of the nicest views of the downtown core and one of the city’s most exciting cocktail menus. Take a trip above Queen East and take a pause from everyday life with this sake-and-gin-based cocktail. The sweetness of the sake, the herbaceous and citrusy flavour of the gin, the bright spice of pink peppercorn and the tropical notes of guava juice make for a well-balanced and unconventional sunset sipper.
$15. 106 Broadview, thebroadviewhotel.ca.
