Hit the gym, get to your morning yoga class… its patio season! Well it should be… It’s at least around the corner! Commonwealth is opening their patio soon, Ship is obviously the pulse of 17^th Ave as far as a bitchin patio parties go, and there are a few new spots opening on 17^th too! Options for days! 

My favorite summer hangouts are without a doubt Sunday fun days at River Café, bring your own wine, no corkage fee on Sunday, in the heart of princess island park, better bring 3 bottles (did I mention free corkage, normally $25).  Hotel Arts has a poolside patio, bring your swimsuit and crush a pitcher of mojitos with some friends, definitely a hidden gem in our beach-less city.

Here are some fun recipes for summer bevy’s; save some cash and drink at home!

Pimm’s Lemonade (my version)

2oz Pimm’s No. 1

1oz Gin

1oz Simple Syrup or honey (.5oz)

1oz Lemon Juice

.5oz Blood Orange Juice

Tbsp. Cucumber (muddle)

Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice; shake it cold then top with soda!!!  Pimm’s No.1 is a herbal sort of tonic like liqueur that’s been sitting on back bars and mixed in drinks since 1823.

Mojito… Great drink to drink, a labor of love to make.

Mojito’s are simply refreshing, lime sugar, rum, and mint.  Here’s a tip that will help you make the best Mojito your friends will have all summer. When using mint or herbs in cocktails don’t muddle the crap out of it.  The little veins running through the leaves hold chlorophyll and if you over work the mint the chlorophyll will make your drink super bitter in a way that sugar of any amount cannot fix.

Method

In a glass add 2 white sugar cubes, half a lime cut in chunks

Muddle

Now take you fresh mint leaves in you hand and clap.  Slapping your mint in your palms will release the essential oils and not the chlorophyll

Add rum and soda

Get creative, strawberry and rosemary, lemon fresh thyme and blackberries… possibilities are endless!

Salut!