‘Tis the season to sweat in Brisbane and as the temperature rises, so too does the need to quench parched throats with a refreshing summer tipple.
So you’re not doing any unnecessary cardio in these hellish conditions (or any cardio at all), we’ve sniffed out the most refreshing summer drinks around our great city, so all you need to do is don your best linen, find your scrunchie and get ready to sip pretty through the hottest part of the year.
Grey Goose pop-up | Eleven Rooftop Bar | Fortitude Valley
All December long, Eleven Rooftop Bar is collaborating with Grey Goose to make your summer nights a little bit boozier. Not only will they be serving up exclusive cocktails, Grey Goose will also be hosting a series of mixology masterclasses so you can dazzle at your Christmas parties this year! Book your spot for either December 8 or 15 and get ready to shake, pour and stir your way through the festive season. Sessions are just $50 and you’ll add five new cocktail recipes to your repertoire, so it’s time to break out the shakers. You can book your spots right here.
The Sangrita Sundowner Swirl | El Camino Cantina | Bowen Hills & Chermside
Why has no one ever thought of combining a margarita and sangria before?! The first fusion cocktail to be served at El Camino Cantina, the sangrita looks like a raspberry ripple soft-serve and perfectly combines the fruity and zesty flavours you’d expect from each of these cocktail favourites. The best part though? They’re available all summer long.
Saké Restaurant and Bar | Eagle Street Pier | CBD
Summer at Saké means a brand-new cocktail menu! They’re keeping it light, fresh and fruity to help you drink the season away. Try their latest Japanese-inspired gin bowl, the Murasinko Mirror which combines gin, yuzu sake, cherry blossom syrup and Pink Citrus tonic, served in a star anise smoke-infused glass. Or, if you’re looking for something a bit spritzier the Amore Giappone is Saké’s version of an Aperol spritz, with gin, Aperol, hibiscus tea syrup, pomegranate and Chandon Rockpool Cuvée. Cheers!
Summer drink specials | Beerhaüs | Bowen Hills
Beerhaus is turning up the heat this summer with oodles of drink specials which will have you and the crew coming back every week. This season, their sour beer range is growing thanks to Pirate Life, with cherry, pomegranate, mulberry and a passionfruit and acai blend all on offer. If cocktails are more your vibe, grab your drinking pal and tuck into a stein-sized cocktail which will see you choosing between Chambord rosé sangria, Lynchburg lemonade and Kraken rum punch. Make sure to keep your eyes out for happy hour, when you can nab one of these for a little less. You’re welcome.
Christmas Cocktails | Emporium Hotel | South Bank
It’s certainly beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Emporium Hotel as they debut their new festive range for jolly good sipping. Unwind in the Piano Bar with soothing jazz vibes as you enjoy Christmas in a glass with the Rum and Raisin featuring Ron Zacapa, Havana Club, port, chocolate bitters and a burnt cinnamon stick. If something a bit fresher is more your style, then the Christmas Pear-ty with pink gin, elderflower, pomegranate and pear should be top of your (Christmas) list.
Fredericks | West Village | West End
Fredericks is the cute-as-heck neon pop-up bar at West Village, designed by the set designers of Mad Max so not only is it a ‘grammers paradise, they have Christmas cocktails that absolutely sleigh. Indulge in a liquid rum ball with spiced rum, coconut, orange bitters and chocolate, or maybe the Summer Snow with berry infused gin, strawberry, lime and salt is more your vibe. Get your skates on, though, because Fredericks closes for good on December 20!
Westin Pool Party | The Westin Brisbane | CBD
You can’t think ‘summer’ without thinking ‘pool party’, so dive into The Westin’s pool party series! Every Friday from 3pm and Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to sunset, grab a poolside bite, tasty frosé and kick back to live music at Brisbane’s only swim-up pool bar.
Yuzu slushie | Yoko Dining | CBD
A slushie for grown-ups? Take our money! Yoko Dining is the new kid on the dock at HSW and they’ve been making waves with their epic Japanese fare, but don’t think we haven’t noticed their refreshing and quirky drinks menu, too. The frozen yuzu punch (aka slushie) combines yuzu, Aperol, passionfruit and mandarin, making this the perfect summer’s day treat.
Lychee & elderflower spritz | FIUME | CBD
If a gorgeous alfresco rooftop bar overlooking one of Brisbane’s best icons is your aesthetic kink then a spritz at FIUME at The Fantauzzo should be top of your summer to-drink list. Light and refreshing, the lychee and elderflower spritz adds liqueurs of both with bubbles and soda to make for easy summer sipping, but a step above the crowds at Felons and Mr Percival’s.
Finally something worth getting hot and bothered about.
