In this month’s issue of Little Rock Soirée, Chip Taulbee highlights where you can sip some of the most refreshing and delicious cocktails around that mix perfectly with the steamy Arkansas summer.
Here is what made his list:
- Sofo at The Fold: Botanas & Bar, 3501 Old Cantrell Road: The Fold in Riverdale is one of Little Rock’s hottest new restaurants. The hip, modern taco joint serves up some of the best Mexican dishes around, but what’s most memorable, Taulbee says, are the drinks to wash it down. His favorite is Sofo, a crisp blend of gin, lime juice, crushed mint and ginger beer that tastes something like a mojito with an extra kick.
- Southern Comfortable at the Capital Bar & Grill, 111 W. Markham St.: While Ashley’s restaurant in the Capital Hotel represents elegance and top-notch fare, the laid-back Capital Bar & Grill offers a delightful atmosphere perfect for pre-dinner drinks, Taulbee says. He goes for the Southern Comfortable, whose pecan soda is made from the oils of the same nuts that are a CB&G signature table snack. The soda blends well with Hangar 1 spiced pear vodka, yellow chartreuse and lemon for a subtly sweet, boozy beverage with the fruit flavors not trying to cut in on the alcohol.
- Gin Harvest at Copper Grill, 300 E. Third, #101: At this hot spot, highlighted on our best power lunches listing from awhile back, you’ll find the Gin Harvest, served with local Rock Town Distillery’s Brandon’s Gin and muddled basil. Lime, a splash of soda and agave syrup round out this enhanced gin martini, Taulbee says.
- Texas Two-Step at Local Lime, 17815 Chenal Pkwy: The super hip taco bar in the Promenade at Chenal has become quite known for their spectacular drinks concocted by bar manager Lee Edwards. Taulbee says it’s the resposado tequila or mezcal, jalapeño Triple Sec, basil simple syrup and lime juice that make the Texas Two Step a must-try. And the good thing is, you don’t have to have adventurous tastes to enjoy its sweet tang and hint of spice, he adds.
- Pueblo Honey Swizzle at Local Lime: Another libation worth noting is the Pueblo Honey Swizzle, which offers a tart lemony sweetness — sophisticated but not pretentious, Taulbee says.
- Caipifruta at Cafe Bossa Nova, 2701 Kavanaugh Blvd.: Brazil is the name of the game at this cool eatery in Hillcrest. While it prides itself on delectable South American cuisine, they have some pretty fantastic drinks there, too. Taulbee suggests trying the Caipifruta, a slight variation of a Caipirinha that includes muddled limes, sugar, Brazilian rum and strawberries for added sweetness.
Read more about these awesome drinks in the digital edition here.
The magazine wants your help finding go-to whiskey drinkables around town. Be sure and head over to Facebook.com/LittleRockSoiree to suggest some brown water-based cocktails we can find at local restaurants!