Who knows better how to cool off than a drink maker? We asked 11 local stewards of liquid refreshment – bartenders, baristas and beyond – for their favorite summer drink. Their recs will keep you hydrated during our parched days and muggy nights. Cheers to that!
Strawberry Lemonade
KAT DOUGHTY | AGENCY COCKTAIL BAR
“It’s just perfectly beautiful in its simplicity. It also makes for a great base for getting creative. Throw herbs in it, make it boozy, make it bubbly – have fun with it!”
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
Stiegl Radler Beer Cocktail
CASEY BENKOWSKI | BLACKBIRD BAR
Put the grapefruit-lager hybrid “on ice, with a shot of gin and a lemon garnish. The low-ABV beer is a needed kick for me, and grapefruit and gin are the perfect mix for summer!”
Gin & Tonic
JORDAN BURICH | VOYAGER WINE BAR
“Served Spanish style in a big glass with big cubes, and an apothecary’s worth of spices, flowers and citrus.”
Sherry
KATIE ROSE | GOODKIND
“I like it served up chilled or splashed on ice, with a twist of lemon, orange or an olive, depending on the style of sherry. One of my favorites in summer is a crisp and subtly briny Fino or Manzanilla sherry.”
Frozen Margarita
TRIPPER DUVAL | LOST WHALE
“Toss all the goods in a blender with ice, and BOOM! I’m on vacation. I also enjoy making them with my kids – NA versions for them and boozy versions for us.”
MKE Refresher Mocktail
TIFFANY MILLER | FRUITION MKE CAFE
This drink is “a blend of herbal teas paired with ginger lemonade, lavender and mint – the perfect amount of tart and sweet. It tastes like driving in the city on a summer day with all the windows down and your favorite song blasting out the speakers.”
Sparkling Lavender Lemonade
MARIA ORTIZ | VENNTURE BREW CO.
“With a shot of cold whisked matcha. It’s super refreshing but still gives you the kick of caffeine.”
Vita Coco Coconut Water
KRISTALEEN HERNANDEZ | STONE CREEK COFFEE
“It’s super hydrating and refreshing [and] goes really nice with a matcha sweet foam on top. Delish!”
Mojito
RICKY RAMIREZ | MOTHERSHIP
“As a bartender, I know a lot of my peers roll their eyes when someone orders one, but it’s really not that hard to make. My go-to rum is Probitas White Blended.”
Topo Chico Seltzer
IRA KOPLOWITZ | BITTERCUBE BITTERS
“Super cold, directly from the bottle, with 4-6 dashes of Cherry Bark Vanilla Bitters. If I’m feeling boozy, I’ll add an ounce or two of Heirloom Genepy liqueur for a deliciously refreshing highball!”
Beer and a Shot
WOLFEGANG KLINKHAMMER | BUCKLEY’S RESTAURANT
Specifically, “Miller High Life and a shot of Fernet-Branca. Refreshing – and easy for the bartender, too!”
