There is no suggested time for happy hour during the sizzling summer months. When Evansville temperatures near the unbearable, nothing cools you faster than the refreshing tastes of a chilled, fruity cocktail. To make your selection a bit easier, we’ve ventured around town, savoring a few summer favorites. Create these mixtures yourself or stop by these Evansville hot spots to relax with a summer treat.
Rí Rá Irish Pub —House Sangria, $7
• ½ oz. Goslings Black Rum
• ¼ oz. Chambord
• 6 oz. House Merlot
• Splash of Grenadine
• Splash of pineapple juice
• Splash of orange juice
• Splash of cranberry juice
• Fresh limes, oranges, lemons, and cherries
Nothing beats the summer heat better than good sangria, and Rí Rá has one of the best in town. With each sip, it’s easy to distinguish each fruit flavor and quench your thirst. Enjoy it on Rí Rá’s patio or balcony overlooking the Ohio River.
Bar Louie — Coconut Mint Lemonade, $8.25
• 1 ½ oz. SKYY Coconut Vodka
• 1 ½ oz. fresh lemon juice
• 1 oz. pure cane syrup
• 1 ½ oz. coconut water
• 8 fresh mint leaves
A fresh summer breeze in a glass is the best way to describe the Coconut Mint Lemonade cocktail at Bar Louie. The coconut and lemon flavors fill your taste buds and transport you to a Hawaiian beach, where you can easily imagine your feet submerged in warm sand. This delicious treat then leaves behind a minty freshness that’ll have you longing for another sip.
Madeleine’s — Cucumber Sake Martini, $9
• ½ oz. vodka
• 1 oz. dry sake
• 1 oz. Midori
• ¼ oz. lime juice
• ¼ oz. simple syrup
• ¼ oz. Monin cucumber syrup
While sipping the Cucumber Sake Martini from Madeleine’s, it’s easy to imagine you are sitting poolside at a 5-star resort. The cucumber is refreshing, yet it’s sweet enough to tame your sweet tooth. Paired with the star-shaped cucumber garnish, this cocktail is the perfect way to bring a long, hot summer’s day to a cool end.
Rí Rá Irish Pub is located at 701 NW Riverside Drive, Bar Louie at 7700 Eagle Crest Blvd., and Madeleine’s at 423 SE 2nd St.
