With highs in the 90s and our signature Denver sun shining down on us, summer is in full swing! What better way to cool down than with a tasty and unique summer drink?
The Mile High City is full of crafty bartenders and drink connoisseurs making delicious drinks that go down easy on a hot day. So we rounded up some of our most anticipated chilly beverages in the area—from booze-filled cocktails and refreshing beers to coffee drinks and Instagram-worthy creations. No matter what you’re interested in drinking this season, there’s something for you on this list. Cheers!
ALCOHOLIC
Arvada Tavern — Jungle Bird
The Arvada Tavern has a reputation for spectacular, creative craft cocktails and they haven’t let a pandemic stop them! Step onto their Tiki Bar patio and order one of the tropical drink options like their delicious Daiquiris, Mai Tais, or our favorite—the Jungle Bird, which is made with rum, Campari, lime, pineapple and sugar. Or if you prefer to take the bar home, you can also order cocktails to-go! The cost is $24 for two cocktails and a side of bar nuts. But if you really want to make it an authentic Arvada Tavern experience at home—order one of their signature cocktail souvenir glasses to go with it.
Breckenridge Brewery — Mountain Beach
We don’t know about you, but when we think about summer sipping, we usually imagine something light and fruity. And if that’s you too, head to Breckenridge Brewery for one of their newest fruity beers: Mountain Beach. This light brew is a thirst-quenching sour that is basically vacation in a can. Enjoy vibrant flavors of tart lime and pineapple blended with sweet notes of guava.
Dimestore Delibar — Quarantine Cooler
These days, we all need a cocktail that really gets us. That’s why Dimestore Delibar has created a Quarantine Cooler to both help keep you cool in the summer—and cope with this crazy world we now live in. Featuring Family Jones house vodka, guava-passion fruit-blueberry shrub, citrus stock, hibiscus-butterfly tea, and soda—this cocktail is easy to drink and oh-so-delicious. Order it in bulk to enjoy at home along with a few bags of local groceries and provisions!
Denver Milkbox Ice Creamery — Boozy Milkshakes
Mixing booze and ice cream is all the rage these days, but we think Denver’s Milkbox Ice Creamery brings it to a whole new level with their amazing Boozy Shakes. Choose from a selection of their favorites like The 1881 (butterscotch and bourbon) and The Burning Clocktower (chocolate, orange and tequila), or build your own with a vast selection of ice cream and spirits.
El Chapultepec — Pineapple Coconut Margarita
The Pec is a local favorite for those of us who love a good margarita. While they also have an array of other delicious cocktails, their Pineapple Coconut Margarita, featuring 1800 Coconut Tequila, triple sec and pineapple juice, is a must-try. Visit them the next time you have a hankering for a good burrito, taco or quesadilla. They are now open with limited seating and have resumed their live music performances on the weekends!
The Family Jones Spirit House — Basil Lemon Drop Cocktail Kit
One of the biggest things we’ve missed since the pandemic started is sitting down at our favorite distilleries for great cocktails and some fun. Luckily, The Family Jones Spirit House has missed us as well and has put together a menu of batch cocktail kits for you to order and enjoy at home! One of our favorites is the Basil Lemon Drop, which includes a bottle of Annika Jones Vodka, some bitter lemon simple syrup, and fresh basil for $70. Their batch cocktail list changes often, so visit their website to see what the current offerings are!
The Lobby — Kombucha Mimosas
The Lobby’s bottomless mimosas and Bloody Marys is one of our favorite things in all of Denver. But if you’re looking to try something a bit more unique this summer, order one of their Kombucha Mimosas—which you can also get bottomless! This interesting cocktail is just what you expect, your choice of local kombucha mixed with a good helping of champagne.
NON-ALCOHOLIC
Amethyst Coffee Co — Cold Brew with Lilac Syrup
Amethyst Coffee Co, a women-owned coffee shop perfect for the coffee connoisseurs in the city, is no stranger to inventive coffee drinks. Their iced cold brew, matcha and other tea drinks are practically famous. So when you’re on the hunt for some good iced coffee this summer, look no further! We recommend getting their cold brew with a few pumps of their house-made lilac syrup to sweeten it up. Light, floral and delectable, once you go lilac, you’ll never go back.
Blue Sparrow Coffee — House-made Blueberry Soda
We’re suckers for anything locally made. So when it comes to choosing a soda to drink on a hot summer day, we will almost always go for an artisan creation than something in a bright red can. Blue Sparrow Coffee may be known for their delicious coffee drinks, but the next time you visit, we urge you to order their house-made blueberry soda for a sweet treat.
Happy Lemon — Cheese Tea
Cheese tea? Absolutely! If you weren’t aware, this interesting Taiwanese drink has become incredibly famous on Instagram and is now available right here in Denver. In a nutshell, this tea drink features your choice of tea—black, green or milk tea—and is topped with a healthy layer of salted cream cheese. We know, it sounds weird, but trust us! The entire drink together tastes like a liquified cheesecake. Yum!
Hot Chick a Latte — Italian Cream Soda
This locally sourced, family-owned coffee shop isn’t exactly ordinary, but here in Denver, we would never want it to be. Featuring hot-chick baristas and a convenient drive-thru on Colfax, Hot Chick a Latte serves up delicious Fair Trade Organic coffee and brunch every day. Visit them for a delicious, hilariously named, coffee drink the next time you have a caffeine craving. Or if you’re looking for something more light and refreshing, try their Italian Cream Soda, which includes your choice of flavor-infused club soda topped with a generous helping of whipped cream and sprinkles.
The Inventing Room Dessert Shop — The Frozen Mocha with Exploding Whipped Cream
Yes, you read that correctly. “Exploding Whipped Cream” is The Inventing Room Dessert Shop’s nitrogen-frozen whipped cream that produces billowing “smoke”. We love it on top of their Frozen Mocha for a coffee-twist, but it can be enjoyed on any of the interesting creations The Inventing Room whips up—like nitrogen-frozen milkshakes, sundaes and rootbeer floats. Right now, the Inventing Room is open for ticket holders only. You can purchase yours in advance, here.
Pinwheel Coffee — Iced Orange Chai
Orange you glad that Pinwheel Coffee’s iconic Orange Chai is back for the summer? We definitely are! This drink comprises their house chai with a hint of orange. It’s delicious served warm, but this season you’ll want to enjoy it over ice to help keep you cool on those 97 degree days.
Wonder — Golden Latte
If you’re in the market for something a bit less sweet and better for your immune system, head to Wonder—Denver’s favorite juice and coffee bar. In addition to serving green juice, healthy shots, smoothies, coffee drinks, lemonades and Instagram-worthy avocado toast, Wonder also offers something called a Golden Latte, which is pretty much the exact opposite of any latte you’ve ever had. This bright yellow drink features turmeric, milk, ginger, cardamom, shilajit and black pepper oil, which all have anti-inflammatory benefits.
What will you sip on this summer?
Do you have a favorite local summer drink? Let us know in the comments!