Photography by Jamison Mosley

The summer is sizzling and Arkansans are looking for ways to beat the heat. There may be no better way to cool off than with a light, refreshing libation. There will always be reliable standbys, like a frosty mint julep or tangy margarita, AY wants to help you keep your cool with new creations from several of the Natural State’s hippest mixologists.

Sauce(d) – Blackberry Mojito

Heavy splash of simple syrup, 1.5 ounces of Bacardi Superior rum, muddled with blackberries and shaken with 3-4 mint leaves and a lime. Served on the rocks and topped with soda water.

11121 N. Rodney Parham Rd. #9a, Little Rock • saucedlr.com

 

Rebel Kettle – Swimmin’ Hole Summer Saison

The light, flavorful farmhouse-style ale has the delicate flavors and aromas of fruit and Belgian spice. Its bright, crisp character makes it a perfect warm weather refresher.

822 E. 6th St., Little Rock • rebelkettle.com

 

One Eleven – Strawberry  Lemonade
• 1.5 ounces Svedka Rosé Vodka
• 0.5 ounce Merlet Creme de Framboise (raspberry) Liqueur
• 2 ounces Alain Milliat Strawberry Nectar
• 3 ounces homemade lemonade
Mix ingredients and serve over ice.

111 W. Markham St., Little Rock • capitalhotel.com

 

Allsopp & Chapple – This Side of Paradise

This creamy, tiki-style cocktail has a base of cachaça, a sugarcane juice-based spirit. We use Avua Amburana, which is barrel aged, bringing on charred oak and vanilla flavors, and follow it with Giffard Lichi-Li Liqueur, which brings floral, pink fruit notes into play. The three are mixed with pineapple juice and fresh-squeezed lime. Perhaps the star of the show is the bourbon vanilla bean coconut cream we mix in house which attributes to the silky color and texture. It is indulgent and reminiscent of your favorite beachside cabana.

311 Main St., Little Rock • allsoppandchapple.com

 

Capital Bar & Grill – Seersucker
• 2 ounces Four Roses Bourbon
• ½ ounce Aperol
• ¼ ounce Giffard Apricot Brandy liqueur
Stir with ice and strain into a Lillet-rinsed Old Fashioned glass. Garnish this cocktail with a fresh orange twist. Served neat.

111 W. Markham St., Little Rock • capitalhotel.com

 

Big Orange – Soda Shop Shenanigans

In this summer fun cocktail, nostalgic cream soda flavors meet complex notes of black cherry wood  and perfumey spice for a fresh, tipsy take on classic shake shack treat. With homemade cream soda phosphate, cachaça made from fermented sugar cane and quinquina, with its inherent orange notes, you’ll feel like a kid in a boozy candy store.

207 N. University Ave. #100, Little Rock • bigorangeburger.com

 

Local Lime – Bright-Eyed

Our Bright-Eyed cocktail is like summer break in a glass.

This eye-opening treat features Yellow Chartruese which lends a violet florality, saffron aromatics and a hint of honey-like sweetness. Olmeca Altos Tequila Anejo offers a perfect blend between the fun and vibrancy of tequila with the intrinsic appeal of the craft and credentials of bourbon. Aged in oak barrels for 18 months, this aÒejo has a well-balanced and rounded aroma with notes of dried fruit and almonds. We mix in our house-made and oh-so-summery cucumber mint syrup and fresh lemon juice to add acid and vibrance. Finished with effervescent soda water, fresh cucumber ribbons, and  fresh mint springs. 

17809 Chenal Pkwy., Little Rock • locallimetaco.com

 

Rock Town Distillery – Violette Fem
If purple is more your summer drink color, the Violette Fem is sure to please.

• 1.5 ounces Rock Town Lemon Vodka
• 0.5 ounce Velvet Falernum
• 0.25 ounce Maraschino Cherry Liqueur
• 0.25 ounce Creme de violette
Combine all ingredients over ice in a shaker tin, shake and strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with lemon zest.

1201 Main St., Little Rock • rocktowndistillery.com

 

Mermaids Seafood Restaurant – Summer Breeze
Though it’s always a few degrees cooler in Razorback country, you gotta try the Summer Breeze at Mermaids Seafood Restaurant.

• 1.5 ounces Infuse Spirits Peach Vodka
• 1 ounce pink House Alchemy Pineapple Rosemary Shrub
• 1 ounce ginger-root simple syrup
Top with tonic water. Garnish with fresh peaches and grilled pineapple slice.

2217 N. College Ave., Fayetteville • mermaids.ws

 

Rock Town Distillery – The Darby

Happy 9th birthday to Rock Town Distillery where you can get either listed drink for just $10. This one is The Darby.

In a goblet add 4 cucumber ice cubes, a handful of fresh blueberries and regular ice.  Add 2.5 ounces of Rock Town’s Feast in the Field Gin and top with tonic water.

1201 Main St., Little Rock • rocktowndistillery.com

 

Atlas Bar – Me So Thorny

Atlas Bar is set out to be Little Rock’s best new old bar, and with the social media chatter they’re receiving, we think they have achieved celebrity status. Just open a few months now, Atlas Bar serves a mean drink that will make you oh-so-happy. Brokerís Gin, Merlet Blackberry Liqueur, Lime, Angostura bitters, Peychaudís Bitters, rosemary simple syrup, Fever- Tree Premium Ginger Beer. 

1224 Main St., Little Rock • atlassoma.com