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Capre diem and drinks
Capre diem and drinks
Joy Summers

10 Refreshing Drinks to Cross Off Your Twin Cities Summer Bucket List

The glasses you ought to have in hand right now.

by Joy Summers
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Capre diem and drinks
| Joy Summers
by Joy Summers

August is upon us and that means the summer season is waning. There is only so much more time to take in all the glory that is our most appreciated and seemingly shortest time of year. So, get some sand between the toes, risk a little sunburn, stay up late beside a bonfire and seize the moment with each and every one of these drinks.

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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

1. Hola Arepa

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3501 Nicollet Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 345-5583
(612) 345-5583
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This brilliantly bright refresher came in like a naked Miley the moment this turquoise-tinted restaurant opened its doors. Tequila blanco is mixed with a rhubarb shrub, seltzer and finished with grapefruit bitters. [Photo by Joy Summers]

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2. Saint Dinette

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261 5th St E
Saint Paul, MN 55101
(651) 800-1415
(651) 800-1415
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After ages of waiting, Saint Dinette finally opened its doors and the tidy little cocktail list is stacked with winners. None captures the summer season in a glass as well as the Watermelon Shrub. Prairie Organic gin is mixed with Barenjager, watermelon shrub, a sour mix that they make on site and finish with a spanked leaf of basil. [Photo by Joy Summers]

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3. Cook St. Paul

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1124 Payne Ave
Saint Paul, MN 55130
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Not every moment of summer requires intoxication. There are also times for detox (or recovery augmented with kimchi and pancakes.) Cook St. Paul's Eddie Wu is named for the owner and is a riff on an Arnie Palmer. Lemonade is mixed with Gray Duck Chai and the results are stupid good. [Photo by Joy Summers]

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4. Tattersall Distilling

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1620 Central Ave NE
Minneapolis, MN 55413
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Crisp, bright and as full of possibilities as a summer morning at the cabin. Tattersall Distilling's gin gimlet is pristine drinking at its finest, with just a touch of gomme syrup to amp up the silken viscosity. [Photo by Joy Summers]

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5. Spoon and Stable

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211 N 1st St
Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 224-9850
(612) 224-9850
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The national spotlight hasn't wavered from Spoon and Stable since the restaurant opened, but the accolades are well deserved. The stellar bar staff pours their talent into every beverage, including those listed on the brunch menu. The Tom Collins is a reinvention that is better than the classic. [Photo by Joy Summers]

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6. Bradstreet Neighborhood Crafthouse

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1930 Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55403
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The new location of Bradstreet Neighborhood Craftshouse has several upgrades, including a mostly shaded patio with views of downtown Minneapolis. The Old Fashioned gets a seasonal upgrade with black walnut liqueur and Bullit bourbon balanced with the house made orange bitters all served over a fat cube of ice that melts away as slowly as an August evening. [Photo by Joy Summers]

7. Constantine

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1115 2nd Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 886-1297
(612) 886-1297
Visit Website
Some summer days are just too dang hot to sit outside. The Treasure Trail is a clever twist on the Fuzzy Navel as done by the cocktail ninjas inside the cool, dark Constantine. Pop your collar and relive the '80's glory days (even if you weren't actually born yet.) [Photo by Joy Summers]

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8. Acqua Restaurant and Wine Bar

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4453 Lake Ave S
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
(651) 407-7317
(651) 407-7317
Visit Website
Minnesota summers are meant to be spent lakeside with a drink in hand (koozie optional). Order the bright and juicy Blueberry Collins at either Acqua location and drink in the early August berry's peak along with the views. [Photo courtesy Acqua]

9. Brasa Premium Rotisserie

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777 Grand Ave
Saint Paul, MN 55105
(651) 224-1302
(651) 224-1302
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Great drinks are even better when travel ready. Grab a growler of the tart and just-sweet-enough soda from the Saint Paul Brasa location before heading to the cabin. [Photo courtesy page]

10. Nighthawks

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3753 Nicollet Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55409
(612) 248-8111
(612) 248-8111
Visit Website
Sweet Child o' Vine from Fulton is a beer brewed for summer (even if it's available all year.) For Nighthawk's Hopper they mix the brew with a grapefruit cordial, bitter Petal and Thorn and finish with classic Angostura for a frothy twist on a beloved beverage. [Photo by Stephanie A. Meyer]

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1. Hola Arepa

3501 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408
This brilliantly bright refresher came in like a naked Miley the moment this turquoise-tinted restaurant opened its doors. Tequila blanco is mixed with a rhubarb shrub, seltzer and finished with grapefruit bitters. [Photo by Joy Summers]
3501 Nicollet Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 345-5583
Visit Website

2. Saint Dinette

261 5th St E, Saint Paul, MN 55101
After ages of waiting, Saint Dinette finally opened its doors and the tidy little cocktail list is stacked with winners. None captures the summer season in a glass as well as the Watermelon Shrub. Prairie Organic gin is mixed with Barenjager, watermelon shrub, a sour mix that they make on site and finish with a spanked leaf of basil. [Photo by Joy Summers]
261 5th St E
Saint Paul, MN 55101
(651) 800-1415
Visit Website

3. Cook St. Paul

1124 Payne Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55130
Not every moment of summer requires intoxication. There are also times for detox (or recovery augmented with kimchi and pancakes.) Cook St. Paul's Eddie Wu is named for the owner and is a riff on an Arnie Palmer. Lemonade is mixed with Gray Duck Chai and the results are stupid good. [Photo by Joy Summers]
1124 Payne Ave
Saint Paul, MN 55130
Visit Website

4. Tattersall Distilling

1620 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
Crisp, bright and as full of possibilities as a summer morning at the cabin. Tattersall Distilling's gin gimlet is pristine drinking at its finest, with just a touch of gomme syrup to amp up the silken viscosity. [Photo by Joy Summers]
1620 Central Ave NE
Minneapolis, MN 55413
Visit Website

5. Spoon and Stable

211 N 1st St, Minneapolis, MN 55401
The national spotlight hasn't wavered from Spoon and Stable since the restaurant opened, but the accolades are well deserved. The stellar bar staff pours their talent into every beverage, including those listed on the brunch menu. The Tom Collins is a reinvention that is better than the classic. [Photo by Joy Summers]
211 N 1st St
Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 224-9850
Visit Website

6. Bradstreet Neighborhood Crafthouse

1930 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403
The new location of Bradstreet Neighborhood Craftshouse has several upgrades, including a mostly shaded patio with views of downtown Minneapolis. The Old Fashioned gets a seasonal upgrade with black walnut liqueur and Bullit bourbon balanced with the house made orange bitters all served over a fat cube of ice that melts away as slowly as an August evening. [Photo by Joy Summers]
1930 Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55403
Visit Website

7. Constantine

1115 2nd Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55403
Some summer days are just too dang hot to sit outside. The Treasure Trail is a clever twist on the Fuzzy Navel as done by the cocktail ninjas inside the cool, dark Constantine. Pop your collar and relive the '80's glory days (even if you weren't actually born yet.) [Photo by Joy Summers]
1115 2nd Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 886-1297
Visit Website

8. Acqua Restaurant and Wine Bar

4453 Lake Ave S, White Bear Lake, MN 55110
Minnesota summers are meant to be spent lakeside with a drink in hand (koozie optional). Order the bright and juicy Blueberry Collins at either Acqua location and drink in the early August berry's peak along with the views. [Photo courtesy Acqua]
4453 Lake Ave S
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
(651) 407-7317
Visit Website

9. Brasa Premium Rotisserie

777 Grand Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55105
Great drinks are even better when travel ready. Grab a growler of the tart and just-sweet-enough soda from the Saint Paul Brasa location before heading to the cabin. [Photo courtesy page]
777 Grand Ave
Saint Paul, MN 55105
(651) 224-1302
Visit Website

10. Nighthawks

3753 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55409
Sweet Child o' Vine from Fulton is a beer brewed for summer (even if it's available all year.) For Nighthawk's Hopper they mix the brew with a grapefruit cordial, bitter Petal and Thorn and finish with classic Angostura for a frothy twist on a beloved beverage. [Photo by Stephanie A. Meyer]
3753 Nicollet Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55409
(612) 248-8111
Visit Website

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