By Linden Wilson
It's summertime in North Texas, which only means one thing —brit's really, really hot. As in humid, sweltering, melt-if-you-step-outside hot.brIn our opinion, there's no better way to beat the heat than by grabbing a seatbrat your favorite restaurant and ordering an ice-cold, thirst-quenching beverage.brWe scoured the area in search of the coolest libations and discovered there is certainlybrno shortage of unique creations, from cocktails and beer to ice cream floats. Chefsbrand bartenders across town are constantly coming up with new concoctions whilebrkeeping tried-and-true favorites on their menus. We'll drink to that!
Build-Your-Own BloodybrMary
When Southlake got its Grille this past December, the citybralso got one of the best brunch menus in Dallas-Fort Worth. And what is more synonymousbrwith brunch than the Bloody Mary? Del Frisco's Grille uses a house-made mix comprisingbr10 different ingredients and Tito's vodka, straight out of Austin. Servedbralongside the drink is a plate piled high with add-ons including celery, pickledbrokra, bacon, green beans and a toothpick with lemon and lime slices, plus anbrolive. You also have the option to add a salt-and-pepper mix and Tabasco sauce.brEnjoy your customized beverage in the cool indoors or on the Grille's comfybroutdoor patio.
HabanerobrChocolate Brownie Ice Cream Float
FnG Eats
Introduced in April, this concoction from the farm-to-marketbrKeller restaurant is not your average ice cream float. The dessert drink isbrserved in a frosted milkshake glass stacked with double vanilla bean ice cream preparedbrat Henry's Homemade Ice Cream shop in Plano. Infused in the ice cream are tinybrchunks of chocolate and habanero pepper, one of the spiciest there is. A bottlebrof Dark Cherry soda from Boylan BottlingbrCompany — which has produced handcrafted cane sugar sodas since 1891 — isbrpoured over the ice cream, creating a frothy brim and a deliciously uniquebrinfusion. “It offers a true rollercoaster ride for the senses,” says BobbrStephenson, FnG Eats' chief proprietor and chef. “The spicy kick comes at thebrend because you sense spicy tastes in the back of your tongue.”
Espresso Martini
Although this sweet treat pairs well with land items likebrThe Angler's Steak, an 11-ounce wood-grilled sirloin, you'll find it onbrBonefish's dessert menu. The martini is ideal for a post-dinner cap because of its coffee nature.brPrepared with freshly made espresso, Svedka vanilla vodka, Kahlua and crèmebrde cacao, it's served with a scrumptious chocolate sugared rim. Don't worry ifbryou find yourself sipping it faster than you might a regular martini — it'sbrjust that good.
Hue Beer & AsianbrPear Margarita
Distributed by Austin-based Artisanal Imports and originallybrbrewed in Vietnam's Hue Brewery, Ltd., the Hue (pronounced “whey”) lager beer isbrpale golden in color with crisp white foam, and it's just hoppy enough to pair perfectly with the spicybrAsian flavors found on Howard Wang's extensive menu. The restaurant's Asianbrpear margarita is small but packs a punch — Grand Marnier, Casamigosbrtequila, Monin pear, sweet & sour and lime juice, garnished with an Asianbrpear slice, lime and five spice. Casamigos is the brainchild of George Clooney,brwho drew inspiration for developing the liquor while spending time in Mexicobrwith his friends.
Deep Ellum IPA
This cool and casual pub offers an endless amount of beersbron tap, but one that's great for summer is the Deep Ellum IPA. It's brewed frombrall-American hops, including Citra and Amarillo hops that produce tropicalbrfruit and citrusy notes, yet still delivers enough bitterness. “One of my favorite things about thisbrbeer is it's readily available all over the Metroplex, and they also can it,”brsays Michael Vallandingham, general manager of the Southlake location. “Thebrgreat thing about it being canned is that it can accompany you on all yourbrfavorite outdoor activities where bottles are prohibited, like the beach, lakebror parks.”
Appletini & BigbrAl's Favorite Cosmopolitan
Known for its authentic Creole fare, Copeland's also boats abrlarge cocktail list perfect for perusing while you sit at the 360-degree Chromabrbar, which rotates through a rainbow of bright colors. Both the Appletini — a specialbrblend of Vox green apple vodka, Apple Pucker, Midori, fresh squeezed sweet &brsour and grenadine — and Big Al's Favorite Cosmopolitan, made with Ketel Onebrvodka, Cointreau, fresh lemon and lime juices and a splash of cranberry, arebrCopeland's crowd favorites. Eight of the restaurant's liquors are famously chilledbrat five degrees on signature frosted taps.
Mango Jam
Just last month, TruFire unveiled an updated menu featuring severalbrnew drinks, including the fruity Mango Jam. A refreshing blend of roastedbrjalapeno, fresh mango, lime juice and Sauza Blue tequila, the cocktail isbrfinished off with a rim sprinkled with cayenne pepper and sugar. It's best tobrsip and swirl on TruFire's patio, a relaxing and tranquil escape from the hecticbrpace of everyday life.