Cool Off With These Specialty Drinks From North Shore Restaurants

If you’re looking for a relaxing (and tasty!) way to stay cool when it’s hot outside, grab some friends and head out to one of these restaurants on Chicago’s North Shore. Not only are all of these eateries serving up delicious food — Mexican and Thai, chicken and steak — but they’re also pouring cool cocktails that are perfect for sipping after a hot day. From sangrias to cosmos, here are a few of our favorite specialty drinks.

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Guildhall  
694 Vernon Ave., Glencoe
In the heart of Glencoe you'll find this beautiful restaurant serving American fare with European influences. When you arrive, be sure to order the Cucumber Martini, made with Prairie Organic Cucumber Vodka, simple syrup, lime, mint, and a pinch of salt. When it's time to order food, Guildhall recommends pairing this drink with the Tuna Tartare, served with preserved lemon, dried kalamata, green garlic aioli, and kale crackers, or the Watermelon Salad made with arugula, fennel, pickled grapes, farmers cheese, and yuzu vinaigrette.

Cucumber Martini, Guildhall, Glencoe

Mesa Urbana 
3566 Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook
This Northbrook restaurant serves up Mexican fusion with fare like Teriyaki Chicken Lettuce Wrap Tacos, Salmon Al Carbon, Carne Asada, and Rock Shrimp Risotto. But on the happy hour menu you'll find two must-try sangrias. The Blanco Sangria is made with riesling, peach schnapps, orange, cherries, pineapple juice, lemonade, grenadine, and lemon lime, while the Pom Roja Sangria includes cabernet, peach schnapps, pama liquor, orange, cherries, pineapple, lemonade, and lemon lime. As you sip on these drinks, enjoy happy hour food like Elote En Tequesquite, Ceviche, or Flautas De Pollo.

Assorted Drinks, Mesa Urbana, Northbrook

Fred's Garage
574 Green Bay Rd., Winnetka
Take in the light breeze from the open-air dining at this unique renovated service station turned classic American dining destination. Beat the heat here with one of the many tasty cocktails like the Dipstick, with Treaty Oak Red Handed Bourbon Whiskey, Cointreau, orange juice and raspberry preserves. Indulge your tastebuds further with some bites from the menu such as the Honey Poke appetizer, Chipotle Chicken Tacos or Fred's Cheese Steak. 

Assorted Drinks, Fred's Garage, Winnetka

NaKorn 
1622 Orrington Ave., Evanston
NaKorn founders Sam Rattanopas and Mina Sudsaard believe that authentic Thai food shouldn't only be available in Thailand. Visit this Evanston restaurant and you'll find just that: modern takes on traditional Thai recipes. Whether you opt for bites like Monika's Ginger Bourbon Popcorn Chicken, Vegetarian Scallop, or Endive-Pineapple Morsels or larger dishes like Coconut-Curry Braised Chicken, Rainbow Trout, or Pan Roasted Cauliflower Steak, pair your food with the Double Lindy. This drink is made with Libélula Tequila, mezcal, Combier, Thai chili tincture, lime, and pink Himalayan salt.

Double Lindy, NaKorn, Evanston

Nando's PERi-PERi 
4999 Old Orchard Center, Skokie
What's better than a glass of cold lemonade on a hot summer day? How about a glass of spiked lemonade? You can find just that at Nando's PERi-PERi at Westfield Old Orchard, as this restaurant takes their house-made lemonade and spikes it with vodka. It's a drink that pairs perfectly with chicken dishes like the Chicken Breast Sandwich topped with arugula, tomato, pickled red onions and PERi-PERi mayo or the PERi-PERi Wings.

Spiked Lemonade, Nando's Peri Peri, Westfield Old Orchard, Skokie

Ruth's Chris Steak House 
933 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook
Say goodbye to summer with a steak dinner at this upscale restaurant. Using USDA Prime beef, you can order the Filet, Cowboy Ribeye, New York Strip, and more, plus seafood options like the Chilled Seafood Tower, Chilean Sea Bass, and Barbecued Shrimp. But if you're looking to cool down with a tasty cocktail, order the Raspberry Rosemary Cosmo. It's "fresh and fruity, with an herbal touch," perfect for a summer evening spent catching up with friends or date night with your significant other.

Raspberry Rosemary Cosmo, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Northbrook

 

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