04 October 2026 · Vol. XXXIV · № 12.329 Get the letterSearchSaved
THE APEX GASTRONOMY CHRONICLE
Food The Exchange & The CounterThe Wire The IndexThe Bureau
LATEST
Not The ButterBurger: This Overlooked Culver's Sandwich Is A Dedicated Fan Favorite●Fruit desserts: cakes and recipes with fresh or dried fruit●Manuka honey: what it is, how to distinguish it from “regular” honey, and why it costs so much●Make Roasted Butternut Squash 10X Better By Giving It The Moroccan Treatment●Make Sweet Potatoes A Full Meal By Topping Them With This Hearty Comfort Food●“We can’t perform miracles”: this customer demand is infuriating bakers, stop it!●Beef will be beautifully tender if you follow a few rules. Boiling it vigorously is definitely not good for it●words of wisdom for a loaf that spills over/doesn't rise as high as it should●Beer slurpers don't need a tri-pack. You can fry the meat marinated in batter in just a few minutes●Delicious Fish Cob Curry Rice, Special & Easy Recipe to Try●Horseradish sauce is ready in a few minutes. Almond flakes give it an unusual taste●I've stopped frying eggs: I now use a regular cup and they're twice as good●
The Exchange & The Counter
The Ultimate Summer Cocktails of Philly

The Ultimate Summer Cocktails of Philly

Summer is finally here, and so are the seasonal upgrades that come with it. This solstice represents hotter weather, beach vibes, and outdoor chilling. Right now, restaurants and bars across the region are switching up their cocktail menus in celebration.

Pine Barren Mojito at Martha

There’s mojitos and then there’s this unforgettable version from Martha that include’s Tenango Rum, evergreen leaves tincture from the Pine Barrens, passion fruit liqueur, mint, lime, and sugar.

Seawater Margarita at Middle Child Clubhouse

Light, fun, and distinct — this classic cocktail is made with tequila, grapefruit, lime, and the unexpected surprise of celery.

Pennsylvania Punch at Philadelphia Distilling

The gold standard of Philly summer cocktails, this iconic libation is made with Bluecoat American Dry Gin, House Red Aperitif, fresh pressed citrus, and club soda.

Assembly Rooftop Lounge

Warmer weather means chillier drinks. This frozen cocktail is made with rosé wine, dry vermouth, cocchi rosa aperitif, strawberry, and fresh lemon.

Not Your Mama’s Daiquiri at Kedera Tiki Bar

This pop-up tiki bar at Uptown Beer Garden has a daiquiri that lives up to its name. Made of Bacardi, simple syrup, strawberry purée and served in a cool tiki bottle — it’s definitely not a boozy beverage your mama would serve.

Amaro Nacional at The Ranstead Room

A bartender’s bar, the Ranstead Room has entered the summer cocktail chat with seasonal libation that’s made with mum, amaro, apricot, and lime juice.

Any Zero-Proof Cocktail at Condesa

Summer cocktail fun doesn’t have to be boozy. From their piña (made with pineapple, hoja santa, and topo) to their Mangonada (mango, lime, ginger), Condesa has perfected what a great zero-proof cocktail can taste like during the hottest season of the year.

Pride Sunrise at Hard Rock Cafe

There’s levels to this impressive, colorful cocktail that includes a tier strawberry puree and lime juice, followed by a layer of mango puree, pineapple, and orange juice, and topped with Teremana Blanco Tequila and Blue Curacao. It’s literally Pride in a glass for the rest of the summer.

Bolo

From critically-acclaimed bartender Tony Jimenez, Bolo’s piña colada features Don Q Gold, pineapple juice, and coconut cream, with an option to upgrade with Overproof Rum for an extra $3 (or enhance to a Blue Colada or Cherry Colada for an additional $3).

Tiki Latte at the W Philadelphia’s WET Bar

This isn’t a typical Tiki cocktail. Made with Bacardi 8, pineapple, super kumquat, simple syrup, espresso oil, and orange bitters, this is a fruity, energized, tropical sensation.

Featherweight at Mulherin’s Pizzeria

This breakout pizzeria understood the assignment when it came to summer cocktails with this festive libation made with tequila, pineapple infused vermouth, aloe, lime, and vanilla.

All of the Crushes at Loch Bar

Loch Bar brings this Maryland favorite to the city of brotherly love and sisterly affection with a splash. Here, there’s three fruity renditions (orange, cosmo, and grapefruit) that are all made with their respective Eddy Vodka flavors, fresh fruit, triple sec, and Sprite. And then they have a special green tea crush that’s made with Paddy’s Irish Whiskey, peach, lemon, and Sprite. In other words, this is the official bar for crushes in Philly all summer long.

Champagne Pop at The Twisted Tail

A generous pour of champagne paired with a fresh fruit popsicle is summer memories in a glass for adults. But be on the lookout as The Twisted Tail has rotating popsicle flavors (such as pineapple, strawberry, lemon and blueberry) to pair with their cocktail all season long.

Key facts
  • Who: Philly · Summer
  • Money: $3

More The Exchange & The Counter