Perhaps nothing salutes the arrival of summer in our area better than relaxing with an ice-cold beverage and a stunning view. Cap it off by indulging in a decadent meal or a bit of light, sea-born fare, and we’ve got the trifecta of local tranquility.
We asked 10 regional restaurants to concoct their own original cocktails as an ode to the season. Stop in and ask for the drink by name or, heck, why not go on a self-led tour of the local libations. You can even give it a whirl in your own kitchen—either way, make sure to toast the sunshine and solace all summer long.
ALLIGATOR SPIT
by: Fish House Restaurant
at Blue Water Point
5710 W. 57th Pl., Oak Island
(910) 278-6012
www.bluewaterpointmotel.com
Creator: Kimberly Strickland
11/4 oz. Malibu Coconut Rum
3/4 oz. Midori Melon Liqueur
3 oz. Pineapple juice
Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into glass. Serve over ice for an extra chill. Drop in two cherries and garnish with a lime.
CARIBBEAN MARTINI
by: Old American Fish Company
150 Yacht Basin Dr., Southport
(910) 457-9870
www.oldamericanfish.com
Creator: Sara May
13/4 oz. Malibu Coconut Rum
1/4 oz. Absolut Vodka
2 oz. Pineapple Juice
Shake with ice and strain into a martini glass. Add a sinker of grenadine.
SUNSET MARTINI
by: Dead End Saloon
4366 Fish Factory Rd. SE, Southport
(910) 454-4002
www.thedeadendsaloon.com
Creator: Sarah Novotny
11/4 oz. Absolut Mandarin
3/4 oz. Cointreau
Shake liquors, with orange and cranberry juices to personal taste, with ice. Strain into a martini glass Garnish with an orange slice.
RASPBERRY COSMO
by: Fishy Fishy Cafe
106 Yacht Basin Dr., Southport • (910) 457-1881
www.fishyfishycafe.com
Creator: Paul Campbell
11/4 oz. Smirnoff Raspberry
3/4 oz. Triple Sec
11/4 oz. Cranberry juice
Splash of fresh lime juice
Make a decorative swirl with raspberry syrup into martini glass. Shake ingredients with ice and strain into glass. Garnish with a lime.
BLUE OCEAN MARTINI
by: Island Way
1407 E. Beach Dr., Oak Island
(910) 278-7770
www.islandwayres.com
Creator: Ellen Vaughn
11/4 oz. Absolut Citron
1/2 oz. Malibu Coconut Rum
1/2 oz. Blue Curacao
1/2 oz. Triple Sec
2 oz. Pineapple juice
Shake with ice and strain into martini glass. Add a sinker of grenadine.
Jack’s Mango Juice
by: Shagger Jacks
8004 E. Oak Island Dr., Oak Island
(910) 933-4103
www.shaggerjacksoki.com
Creator: Sue Nelson
11/4 oz. Mount Gay Rum
2 oz. Mango juice
Splash of club soda
Shake and strain all ingredients into a margarita glass. Sink a cherry to the bottom and garnish with a lime wheel.
Joseph’s Pama Martini
by: Joseph’s Italian Bistro
5003 O’Quinn Blvd. SE, Southport
(910) 454-4440
www.josephsitalianbistro.com
Creator: Frank Jankowski
11/4 oz. Skyy
3/4 oz. PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur
1/2 oz. Triple Sec
Shake and strain liquors into a stemless martini glass. Sink a cherry to the bottom and garnish with a lime slice.
STRAWBERRY BASIL BALSAMIC MOJITO
by: Ports of Call
116 N. Howe St., Southport
(910) 457-4544
www.portsofcallbistro.com
Creator: Kate Wheeler
11/2 oz. White Rum
1/4 oz. Balsamic Vinegar
1/2 oz. Brown Sugar Simple Syrup
3 large strawberries
2 basil leaves
1 lime wedge
11/2 oz. club soda
Muddle lime, strawberries and basil. Add to shaker with ice, rum, balsamic vinegar, and simple syrup. Shake well and strain into glass. Top with club soda.
SOUTHPORT SANGRIA
by: Yacht Basin Eatery
122 Yacht Basin Dr., Southport
(910) 363-4108
www.yachtbasineatery.com
Creator: Jill Brown
1 oz. Vodka
1/2 oz. Watermelon Schnapps
Muddle an orange, lemon and lime with the liquor, then add ice and fill with Carolina’s Vintage Blueberry Wine.
SOUTHPORT SIDECAR
by: Mr. P’s Bistro
309 N. Howe St., Southport
(910) 457-0801
www.mrpsbistro.com
Creator: Chris Smith
11/2 oz. Maker’s Mark Bourbon
3/4 oz. Cointreau
3/4 oz. Fresh lemon juice
Rim the martini glass with sugar. Combine ingredients into a shaker with ice; shake and strain into glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.
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