Summer Sippin’
Enjoy these seven gorgeous cocktails, perfect for the patio and pool
By Jen Smith
Contrary to popular belief, bright and fruity cocktails don’t need to be enjoyed on a tropical beach or an island paradise. Las Vegas’ patios and pools create a similar getaway experience. Plus, these local libations offer a chance to sample the signature work of the city’s most talented mixologists and bartenders. Check out these seven summer pours that will definitely make you want to bump up your SPF.
Cool and Casual
Enjoy a refreshment in the heart of Summerlin
Hawaiian Punch
JW Marriott
The sprawling pool inside JW Marriott Las Vegas The Resort at Summerlin features waterside dining and idyllic summer drinks. Most refreshments can be made as a pitcher for $65, and the themes lean into the breezy, casual side of pool cocktails. Hawaiian Punch is the ultimate summer classic, featuring Absolut vodka as its boozy base, complemented by a tropical mix, pineapple and apple juice. Order for poolside sipping or inside a luxury cabana with a TV, mini fridge, fans and your own server for fun afternoons. theresortatsummerlin.com
Find it at: The Resort at Summerlin
Served in: a pool-safe glass
Pool pairing: Fish tacos with seared sea bass, chipotle citrus cream, shredded cabbage, pico de gallo and tortilla chips at the Waterside Cafe
Daybed Dreams
Score a tan while sipping on a tasty beverage in your own private paradise
Under the Palms
Bel-Aire Backyard
Rum and rays of sunshine are the perfect marriage for any pool day. As the extension of its desert-inspired lounge space, Bel-Aire Backyard brings an oasis of fun to the southwest. Each cocktail carries a name befitting the setting, with brightly hued mixes that complement the daybeds and lily pads. Under the Palms features Barbados-born Mount Gay rum, along with mint, lime, pineapple and a floral hibiscus simple syrup. Enjoy this drink with a pool view, and catch the summer concert series heating up the lawn all season long. After the pool closes, change into cocktail attire and head into Bel-Aire Lounge to continue the fun on the patio. belairebackyardlv.com
Find it at: Durango Casino & Resort
Served in: a pool-safe Collins glass
Pool pairing: Baja bass ceviche with striped bass, cucumber, key lime, coconut, agave, pickled serrano and tortilla chips
Desert Bloom
Rouge Room
Rouge Room at Red Rock features its own cabanas and pool open Friday through Sunday. This 21+ oasis also has multiple lounge-style seating options with a dedicated full bar and a variety of food options. The Desert Bloom is one of their signature cocktails of the summer. Made with Herradura reposado tequila and The Producer mezcal, the mix of these two liquors offer a sweet and smoky balance. Prickly pear, pineapple and Fever Tree ginger beer complement the spirits. rougeroomlv.com
Find it at: Red Rock Casino
Served in: an acrylic cocktail glass
Pool pairing: Shrimp and crab ceviche with leche de tigre, jalapeño, avocado, cilantro, pico de gallo and tostadas
Made in the Shade
Find relief from the heat—and refreshments that can’t be beat—on these scenic patios
Jalapeño Business
Summer House
Summer House brings coastal cuisine to the desert. Don’t be fooled by appearances when it comes to the Jalapeño Business cocktail. Sweet, spicy and smoky come together in this baby-pink drink, with a mix of spirits that boast serious star power. The punny Jalapeño Business pays homage to local entrepreneur Mark Wahlberg by mixing Flecha Azul blanco tequila with Dos Hombres, the infamous mezcal brand by Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston. Grapefruit soda provides the color, while jalapeño agave packs a hint of heat. Garnished with a salted rim and grapefruit wedge, the breezy patio at Summer House sets the scene for enjoying this unique summer drink. summerhouserestaurants.com
Find it at: Durango Casino & Resort
Served in: a lemonade glass
Patio pairing: Signature guacamole with housemade tortilla chips, Hass avocados, cilantro, pico de gallo, charred-tomato salsa and habañero verde, and don’t forget the Dungeness crab
Aquamarine
Pisces Bar & Seafare
Fresh onto the scene, Pisces made waves this spring as Wynn’s newest culinary addition. Legendary Wynn Master Mixologist Mariena Mercer Boarini crafted this aquatic blue drink “to mimic the colors of the Aegean Sea.” This impossibly blue sangria is made with Sauvignon blanc, honeydew and melon. In typical Mercer Boarini fashion, she created an “Aegean sea” cordial of ginger, lemongrass and blue curacao, giving the Aquamarine its notable blue hue. Starfruit joins honeydew and cantaloupe as garnish, and the backdrop of the Lake of Dreams creates the ideal setting for sipping. Each drink pairs with a selection of seafood-forward dishes. wynnlasvegas.com
Find it at: Wynn Las Vegas
Served in: a Spanish gin and tonic glass
Patio pairing: Greek horiatiki salad with tomato, cucumber, manouri feta, onion, green pepper, kalamata olives and red wine vinaigrette
Terrace Time
Patio dining remains a sought-after feature of the hottest brunches, happy hours and beyond
Green Revival
Al Solito Posto
While an Aperol spritz may be a standby at Italian restaurants, the cocktails at Al Solito Posto go beyond simply aperitivos. New offerings grace the bar scene for summer, like the Green Revival, which combines the appeal of a traditional Tom Collins with the flavor profile of a green juice. The recipe mimics the classic with Hayman’s Old Tom gin, lemon and club soda. Adding Svol Danish Aquavit provides a savory and earthy twist, while elderflower liqueur, spring pea and ginger support a woodsy palate. Created by Al Solito general manager Chris Mattson, the Green Revival has arrived just in time for summer. Enjoy it outside on Al Solito’s romantic patio. alsolito.com
Find it at: Tivoli Village
Served in: a Collins glass
Patio pairing: Little Gem Caesar served with focaccia croutons, anchovies and parmesan cheese
Berries & Bubbles
Ocean Prime
The lights of Las Vegas can glitter as brightly as the night sky stars, and the perfectly poised patio at Ocean Prime offers supreme views of exactly that. An expansive 2,500-foot terrace wraps around the bar inside, giving every view an extra touch of splendor. For a libation that offers the same grandeur, the Berries and Bubbles martini is an Ocean Prime staple. Sophistication bears fruit with the combination of Ketel One Citroen vodka, marinated blackberries and fresh lemon juice. Piper Sonoma Brut sparkling wine brings the bubbles, and the addition of dry ice smoke gives the Berries and Bubbles an otherworldly finish. Be sure to film when the drink arrives—the show is worth capturing for social media. ocean-prime.com
Find it at: 63 CityCenter
Served in: a Martini glass
Patio pairing: Chocolate torte crafted with dark Valrhona chocolate ganache, flourless chocolate cake and spiced almonds