Midtown is helping everyone keep cool this summer with the Midtown Cool Down. On the third Wednesday of June, July and August, participating bars and restaurants will offer a happy hour special designed to help you cool off in the summer heat. Bartenders were asked to come up with an “over-the-top, fruit-forward or tropical drink.” Ten bar-restaurants signed up, including Barkeep Supply, Barrios Fine Mexican Dishes and R&J Lounge and Supper Club.
Maggie Wood at Barrios put together a tiki-esque key lime daiquiri, featuring 21 Seeds Valencia Orange Tequila, white rum, creme of coconut, house-made lime cordial and the restaurant’s house-made grilled pineapple puree. It’s a split base cooler that tastes just like key lime custard.
Julia McLish at Barkeep said that she’ll be changing her cocktail each month – bars have that option – and the spicy aloe daiquiri in June should be a great start. Barkeep serves classic daiquiris, not the sugar bombs found in too many places. She uses Chareau Aloe Liqueur, white rum, fresh lime and fresh jalapeňos, so it’s got a kick.
Other participating bars include R&J (white sangria), Bleu Garten (sweet-ish fish mojito), Dust Bowl (Baja cooler), Tamashii (sake colada), among others. Organizers are hoping that the happy hours get people to Midtown to shop, dine and find something new. Several of the participating businesses don’t have a regular happy hour, so this is a chance to pull in a new-ish crowd.
Drink specials only apply during the days and hours of the Midtown Cool Down: June 16, July 21, and Aug. 18, from 4-6 p.m.
