Melbourne’s Eight Best Summer Cocktails

It's time to shake off those thick coats, unleash the pale winter skin from beneath layers of black and stop worrying that you don't have your umbrella every time you leave the house — because summer is here.

Melbourne may be the city of three seasons in a day, but at the first sign of summer sun we flock to the beach, parks, pools and amazing rooftop bars to enjoy a nice refreshing beverage. With so many great drinking options around the city, here are a few top recommendations for a summer tipple to get you in the spirit.

Mojito, Los Barbudos

Bringing Melbourne one-step closer to the colours and flavours of the vibrant Caribbean country, Los Barbudos are known for their traditional Cuban classics with great daiquiris, the El Presidente and — our top pick — a mojito ($10).

Nothing could be more of a classic summer drink. Los Barbudos' version is full of white rum, lime, sugar, sparkling water and mint. You will be shocked at how fast these tasty treats disappear but, with prices this low, why not treat yourself to another one?

95 Smith Street, Fitzroy, (03) 9416 0079, losbarbudos.com.au

Hard Iced Tea, Loop Roof

A brand new rooftop bar has opened up above the cities favourite video bar, Loop. Officially named Loop Roof it has quickly been affectionately dubbed Looptop (see what we did there?). Looptop's menu features a huge range of top-notch cocktails, though it’s the hard iced tea selection that really shouts summer.

Our pick for the best hard iced tea is the awkwardly named, but delicious tasting, Sunset Sparkle ($19) – Wyborowa vodka, pomme verte, T2 lychee sunrise tea syrup, fresh lemon, grapefruit peel and edible gold.  Though we had the drink at night and were unable to see any sparkle, we have been told that under sunlight the edible golden spray used over the drink is quite a sight.  Each hand-crafted tea syrup is created in house using tea from T2 and features a different ice cube full of delicious ingredients that are designed to melt and release more flavour into your drink as you go.  On a side note, make sure you try the alcoholic snow cones (yes, really) with Ketel One vodka, watermelon shrub and lime.  It's childhood nostalgia with an adult twist.

23 Meyers Place, Melbourne, (03) 9654 0500, looponline.com.au

Red or White sangria, The Night Market

We all love the Queen Victoria Night Markets.  Sure, it's always overcrowded, but if you're after some of the tastiest food from around the world and free live entertainment — not to mention the people watching opportunities — then this is an event that can't be missed.

With so many different multicultural hawker-style street food options available, there is no way anyone could try everything in one night alone (challenge accepted).  Luckily for our aching bellies the markets will be operating every Wednesday night over summer.  Wash down all that amazing food with a tasty (and huge) glass of sangria ($8).  Served out of giant steel drums this is sangria made for the masses. There are two options, red or white and both are delicious. Grab yourself a huge glass, find a comfortable people watching spot near the bands and settle in for a warm summers night.

Queen Victoria Market, cnr Victoria & Elizabeth Streets, every Wednesday night 5-10pm, qvm.com.au

Vida Fiasco, Loch and Key

Hidden above bushranger themed bar and restaurant Captain Melville, Loch and Key may be new but it's quickly making a name for itself as a great late night lounge bar.  The space has been fitted out with lots of nooks to hide away in with a cheeky beverage and some good company.  If you feel like you need a bit of private space then duck into one of their confessional booths.  Our pick for a warm night however is to make your way onto their huge balcony overlooking Franklin Street with a cocktail in hand.  Try the smoky Vida Fiasco: Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, fresh passionfruit, agave nectar and lime ($18).  Mezcal is such an underrated spirit and gives this drink a lovely smoky flavour, perfectly balanced with the sweet passionfruit and agave.

Above Captain Melville, via rear laneway, Level 1, 34 Franklin Street, Melbourne, captainmelville.com.au

Campari Spritz, Carlton Espresso

Walking down the Italian side of Lygon Street on a warm summers day, it's hard not to see the hordes of cafe-goers staking out prime people watching spots in front of Carlton Espresso.  Also known as D.O.C Espresso, this Carlton landmark cafe knows how to make a great coffee — but on warm days all you should think about ordering is a refreshingly chilled Campari Spritz ($10).  Served in a deep wine glass you have the fantastically bitter orange liqueur mixed perfectly with sweet Italian sparkling prosecco, a dash of soda and thinly sliced orange. Bellissimo.

326 Lygon Street, Carlton, (03) 9347 8482, docgroup.net

Communist Manifesto, Double Happiness

If you are after something a little unusual why not head to one of the original hidden laneway bars, Double Happiness. Tucked away down a side street off Chinatown, Double Happiness likes to infuse all their cocktail creations with some Asian-inspired flavour. Imagine chilli, coriander, ginger or lychee mixed with exotic fruits or even added to bubble cup tea cocktails.

For the perfect summer drink on a hot day, try their Asian twist on a margarita. The Communist Manifesto – Tromba blanco tequila, tamarind, mandarin, lime and Szechuan salt ($17) has a perfect balance of sweet and salty with a delicious citrus tang that will make it hard to stop at just one.

21 Liverpool Street, Melbourne, (03) 9650 4488, double-happiness.org

Pimm's #1 Jug, Madame Brussels

Sharing is caring and who can say no to just one more delicious drink?  Why not grab a group of friends and make your way up the stairs to Madame Brussels’ revered rooftop garden.  Described by the Madame herself (well, the publican at least) as 'a rather fancy terrace and public house', it's hard not to get into the vibe at Madame Brussels.  Do yourself — and your friends a favour — and let the lovely bartenders bring you some cucumber sandwiches and a large jug of Pims #1 ($35) to share.  Full to the brim with tasty dark-tea colored Pimms, lemonade and an entire green grocers shop of fruits — strawberry, apple, orange, lemons, mint and the all-important cucumber — you can happily sip on it in the sunshine all afternoon.

Level 3, 59-63 Bourke St, Melbourne, (03) 9662 2775, madamebrussels.com

Pina Colada, Eau de Vie

As you would expect from one of the top cocktail bars in the country, this is not your standard pina colada.  Literally meaning 'water of life' in French, Eau de Vie have gone all out in reinventing this classic summer cocktail for a more discerning audience.  Thoroughly shaken, the delicious chargrilled pineapple-infused Gosling's rum with citrus is then energised with house made pineapple soda and coconut syrup — and the the entire concoction is placed in a great big tiki mug for you to enjoy ($19).  Add the stunning atmosphere and some of the top bartenders in Melbourne and you know you’re in good hands.

1 Malthouse lane, Melbourne, 0412 825 441, eaudevie.com.au

Top image courtesy of Stewart, Sangria image courtesy of Anita Dabrowski, Campari Spritz image courtesy of Simon Aughton, Pimm's Jug image courtesy of  Jessie Owen.