Hot weather calls for a cold drink
Photo by Flickr user soyculto.
Hot enough for you? On days like this, with the heat index hovering north of 100 degrees, and with power still out in many homes, it's important to stay hydrated. You could — and should — drink water, but Ann Arborites have many more options if they're looking to spice things up.
At Jolly Pumpkin Cafe and Brewery, bartenders are serving up a whole lot of basil limeade, both with and without rum, according to restaurant host Kirsten North. Light, crisp beers such as the traditional Bam Biere are also flying out the door at the Pumpkin.
Over at The Arena Sports Bar and Grill, they're selling a whole lot of beer, beer and more beer. Summer beers like Bell's Oberon and Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy are hot sellers for the bar, says Arena owner Mike Flore.
Bar Louie general manager Chris Sorenson tells us that coconut mint lemonade is a big favorite in the heat this week, as are mojitos.
My favorite way to keep cool is cold-brewed coffee or iced tea. If I'm in the mood to splurge, Zingerman's Next Door has a creamy vanilla cold coffee drink — The Dirty Sheed — that I have been known to swoon over.
When I'm mixing up cocktails at home, I'm partial to a refreshing negroni or caipirinha, but when I'm drinking on the town, I'll head straight for the Back Porch Lemonade at Grange Kitchen and Bar every time. The mixture of citrus vodka, lemon juice, ginger syrup, cranberry juice and ginger beer is ridiculously refreshing.
What about you? What are you doing to beat the heat? Share your recipes or cocktail destinations in the comment section below.
AnnArbor.com business reporter Ben Freed contributed to this story.
Comments
Sarah Rigg
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 2:21 p.m.
I can't get enough of mojitos in the heat. I've been making them with spearmint plucked from my backyard garden. I like the flavor combo enough that sometimes I just make non-alcoholic mint-lime sparkling water.
citrus
Sat, Jul 7, 2012 : 4:17 p.m.
Logan's Ginger Rickey is the cure for me. It's got the citrus and ginger, without the heavy sweet of ginger beer and ginger syrup of the GGGinger and Back Porch Lemonade. If you don't want the alcohol (or a glass) ginger lime juice at Fritas Batidos. Sweetwaters ginger lemon tea is also alch. free, but tends to sweetness. Not aware of much gingery at the Earle, but any beverage there in the summer is refreshing, because leaving the hot pavement to go down into that dark cave is like sinking into a cold pool. Not that I've been stumbling around that intersection sampling ginger drinks or anything.
say it plain
Fri, Jul 6, 2012 : 10:55 p.m.
The photo is captioned only "photo by Flickr user soyculto", but it doesn't tell us what that is, pictured. Looks like something my kids might have 'created' for us at the table, from our salad and water glass, but I am not up on all the hot cool drinks these days lol...
bobslowson
Mon, Jul 9, 2012 : 4:39 p.m.
I'm guessing it's the basil limeade since that was mentioned in the story...
Lola
Sat, Jul 7, 2012 : 12:01 a.m.
Looks like a Mojito.
Foodie01
Fri, Jul 6, 2012 : 8:59 p.m.
Grange has a killer summer drink called the Berry Random. Also, I am seriously addicted to Mighty Good Coffee's Iced Layered Cappuccino.
brimble
Fri, Jul 6, 2012 : 8:56 p.m.
While beer or iced coffee are 'fun' ideas, both alcohol and caffeine are diuretics; they cause the body to become dehydrated, which can be especially dangerous on hot days. They in no manner help 'to beat the heat.'
Brad
Sat, Jul 7, 2012 : 3:46 p.m.
Actually caffeine in small doses isn't a significant diuretic, which is why diet soda is actutually not that bad at hydration. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/caffeinated-drinks/AN01661