We all need a little help making it through a Las Vegas summer.
For some, it’s as simple as air conditioning and leaving it as infrequently as possible. For others, it’s a pool — theirs or one at a nearby hotel. Then there are those who head for higher elevation in the Spring Mountains. For everyone who looks for some comfort in a glass, this one’s for you.
We reached out to many of the most notable booze-slingers in town in search of their favorite summer cocktails. Here, in their own words, are the best on their menus:
Hush Hush
Gigolo, Vanderpump Hotel
The Hush Hush is the perfect summer cocktail. Featuring a base of jalapeño vodka, this decadent drink combines fresh strawberry purée with orange liqueur, jalapeño honey and a touch of citrus. It’s vibrant, spicy, tangy and delicious — perfect for balmy Vegas nights. Not only will the refreshing recipe tantalize your taste buds, the presentation is unique as well. When you receive your cocktail, you’ll be required to confess a secret. Your sealed envelope will be dropped into the Vanderpump Vault, guarded by a giant statue of Giggy (Lisa Vanderpump’s late, beloved Pomeranian). The question is, will Lisa reveal it? Take your chances.
Pandora Vanderpump Sabo, Vanderpump Brands
Queens Park Swizzle
Nocturno, 1017 S. First St.
It’s a wonderful blend of fresh lime, a bit of sugar for balance and a nice white rum. It’s served over crushed ice, with a base of mint and crushed Demerara sugar. A layer of Angostura and Peychaud’s Bitters serves as a time-release flavor to hedge against quickly melting ice on a hot Las Vegas summer day. Finish that with a nice, big bouquet of mint, and your summer crusher is complete.
Christopher Cornelius, bartender
Shiso Daiquiri
Liquid Diet, 1415 S. Commerce St.
A classic daiquiri jumps to mind when I think of summer. Ours, using verdant shiso, brings an interesting depth to a recognizable favorite.
Bret Pfister, co-owner
The Siren
Caspian’s Cocktails & Caviar, Caesars Palace
The Siren captures the spirit of summer in a cocktail with its refreshing citrus, tropical pineapple and cooling herbal notes from the rosemary-infused tequila. The combination of honey and black salt creates a balance of sweet and savory flavors that keeps the cocktail light, crisp and endlessly drinkable in warm weather. With vibrant fruit flavors and an elevated finish, The Siren delivers the kind of coastal-inspired escape that feels made for long summer nights.
The Caspian’s bar team
The Life Aquatic
Doberman Drawing Room, 1025 S. First St.
The red-and-blue contrast makes the ultimate summer fun colors, while the sweet-and-sour magic taste is perfectly balanced. It’s the most fun way to drink an Amaretto sour variation.
Juyoung Kang, head of beverage
Mishima Sunset
Clique Bar & Lounge, The Cosmopolitan
Mishima Sunset is an ideal summer cocktail because it pairs refreshing citrus flavors with light floral notes from hibiscus to create a crisp and cooling sip for warm weather. The use of Suntory Toki whisky gives the cocktail smooth depth without making it feel heavy, while the egg whites create a soft, velvety finish that enhances its easy-drinking character. With vibrant flavors and a striking presentation, the cocktail captures the feeling of watching the sun set over the Las Vegas skyline on a summer evening.
Stephanie Peterson, bartender
White Whale Miami Vice
White Whale, 111 Las Vegas Blvd. South
The White Whale Miami Vice combines two favorites. Our piña colada is built on light, elegant rums kissed with a touch of sherry and our house-made coconut syrup, delivering a clean, tropical brightness you can sip all afternoon. The strawberry daiquiri takes the opposite path: bold, funky pot-still rums that carry real character and depth. Serve them together and watch the magic happen as the two frozen drinks slowly melt and merge. The flavors evolve right in the glass. Tropical, dramatic and entirely intentional.
Evan Hosaka, co-founder
Terry’s Black and Gold Rush
Eight Lounge, Resorts World
Terry’s Black and Gold Rush brings together refreshing lemon juice and smooth honey to create a cocktail that feels light and approachable for the summer season while still showcasing the depth of bourbon. The bright citrus notes keep the libation crisp and cooling, while the honey adds a smooth finish that makes every sip easy to enjoy. Inspired by Terry Bradshaw’s legendary legacy (and using Bradshaw Kentucky Straight Bourbon), the cocktail captures the celebratory energy of summer nights, whether guests are gathering for cocktails, conversation or the big game.
Ian Floranza, general manager
Red Headed Mai Tai
The Barbershop Cuts & Cocktails, The Cosmopolitan
The Red Headed Mai Tai is made for summer with its refreshing pineapple juice, bright citrus and tropical rum base that instantly transports guests to an island state of mind. The addition of macadamia nut rum gives the cocktail a smooth, slightly toasted finish that adds depth without taking away from its crisp, easy-drinking character. With bold tropical flavors and a playful rock ’n’ roll edge, the cocktail delivers the kind of laid-back energy that pairs perfectly with warm nights and live music.
Eli Hansen, lead bartender
The Green Light
Gatsby’s Cocktail Lounge, Resorts World
The Green Light blends bright citrus and refreshing coconut to create a flavor profile made to cool you down in warm weather. The use of Mount Gay Black Barrel Rum and Green Chartreuse elevates the traditional tiki cocktail, creating a summer sip for the glamorous lounge. Inspired by “The Great Gatsby,” the cocktail captures a sophisticated summer night and transports guests somewhere with a tropical breeze.
Kevin Yiv, assistant general manager
The Amulet
Velveteen Rabbit, 1218 S. Main St.
The Amulet is an aromatic and vibrant cocktail for summertime imbibing. Bringing a layered complexity, it takes you overseas to experience the flavors of Southeast Asia here in Las Vegas.
Renzo Poblete, lead bartender
An American in Paris
Esther’s Kitchen, 1131 S. Main St.
The American in Paris is a perfect summer cocktail because it blends bold fruity flavors with a nuanced background of garden notes from the American gin and French herbal liqueur. With muddled components of fresh strawberry, mint leaves and sliced lemon all swirled into crushed ice, this cocktail develops as it sits in the glass, and each sip is a unique step along the journey.
Tucker St. John, beverage director
Charanda’s Incantation
Alchemist Bar & Restaurant, 4300 W. Spring Mountain Road
This is our most labor-intensive cocktail, incorporating four separate preparations: banana, grapefruit, butter-washed rum and Uruapan Charanda infused with shiitake mushroom. The combination of these elements creates a rich, earthy and subtly sweet flavor profile that is both complex and balanced.
David Fraile, owner