When you’re just about ready to verbally lash the next person who utters the phrase “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity,” it’s time to cool off. What’s the next best thing to lounging in the pool or at the beach? One of these summer cocktails, naturally. As you work your way through the summer list, tag Drink Baltimore on Twitter or Facebook, or feel free to tag our writer (@jlwriterbmore) on Instagram, and let us know what you think!

Birroteca Baltimore
Even when we’re cooling off, we appreciate Birroteca bringing the heat with its spicy version of a Margarita. Need something a bit sweeter? The Rosé Colored Glasses keeps up with the wine cocktail trend (and the increasing popularity of rosé), and the Beachcomber is a sweet sunny-weather style Mule.

Nuevo-Rita (Tromba Blanco Tequila, Luxardo Triple Sec, fresh lime juice, rich simple syrup, and muddled jalapeño. Served up, and topped with a passion fruit foam and black lava sea salt)
Rosé Colored Glasses (Green Hat gin, Brovo Pink (Rosé based Vermouth), Giffard pamplemousse rosé, grapefruit-rosemary shrub, house sour)
Beachcomber Mule (Deep Eddy peach vodka, guava nectar, fresh lime juice, brown sugar-cinnamon syrup, housemade ginger beer)

Brewhouse No. 16
This brewpub in an historic firehouse in Mt. Vernon is known, of course, for its beer, but their seasonal craft cocktail program is always on point.

Tequila Sandia (Hornitos tequila, freshly puréed watermelon, fresh lime juice, muddled mint)

Encantada
This eccentric restaurant at the top of the American Visionary Arts Museum crafts some of the most creative cocktails, including the Cheshire Cat — which, thanks to its magic velvet blue ice, slowly transforms from a pretty light yellowish green color to a gorgeous deep purple as the ice melts. And, while not new, the bar’s signature drink, The Visionary, is best sipped during the summer.

The Visionary (Ilegal Joven mezcal, Aperol, jalapeno-passion fruit syrup, fresh lime juice, Bittermans Burlesque Bitters)
The Cheshire Cat (Cold River gin, cucumber-lemongrass syrup, muddled mint and lime, fizzy water, magic velvet blue ice)

Fogo de Chao
This meat-heavy mainstay may seem like the perfect spot to sip wine, but their cocktails are a perfect starter to the night (or afternoon if you stop in for their new-ish lunch and brunch). This seasonal spirit is as satisfying as it is seasonal.

Kiwi Caiparinha (Kiwi, lime, pineapple, cachaca, and sugar)

La Folie
Canton Square’s newest corner bar, a French bistro styled restaurant and bar, is offering up the newest trend in wine concoctions - a frozen rosé.

Frosé (Strawberry puree, lemon, rose wine)

Langermann’s
With an expanded patio and bocce court, this Canton mainstay is the place for sipping upscale drinks in a casual but classy environment.

Pimm’s Cup (Pimm’s #1, Green Hat Gin, watermelon, cucumber)

Ouzo Bay
Among Harbor East’s most popular restaurants, this Greek restaurant’s bar is home to one of Baltimore’s most esteemed bartenders, Will Escalante. He shook up this drink for one of Baltimore’s best cocktail-devoted sites, Let’s Drink On, and we, too, are ready to drink on.

Galia’s Legacy (Uncle Val’s Botanical Gin, fennel syrup, fresh lime juice, fresh watermelon juice, yellow chartreuse, garnish: lime peel and cantaloupe wedge)

Wit and Wisdom
Where better to drink a summer cocktail than at a spot that has one of the best views of the water in all of Baltimore? Lead Bartender Jonathan Levy is shaking and stirring some of the most sophisticated drinks in the city, and this one is at the top of our to-drink list.

Dry Wit (Fresh dill-infused Stoli Elit vodka, arugula, shiso, dolin blanc, preserved lemon rind garnish)

In addition to finding some spots to sip on cooling cocktails, we also compiled a few drinks to easily make at home with a couple locally made products.

Sagamore Rye Whiskey
In May, Sagamore Spirits released its first batch of rye whiskey in Baltimore. While the whiskey has been popular on its own, Sagamore wanted to remind local drinkers that the liquor is also ideal for warm weather sipping. Well-known Baltimore bartender Aaron Joseph stepped up to the task of proving just that, crafting cocktails that are easy to mix at home with the new local spirit.

Farmers Market Punch (Sagamore rye, strawberry lemonade, fresh basil)
Tom Boy (Sagamore rye, raspberry honey syrup, lemon, fresh mint)
Maryland Mule (Sagamore rye, ringer beer, fresh lime)

Sweetland Cellars/Boordy
A recent rebranding of Boordy’s sweet wines resulted in the creation of Sweetland Cellars, the collection’s new name. To (re)introduce those wines, and their versatility, the DeFord family collaborated with Chad Gauss of The Food Market to create wine cocktails and food pairings. These are their creative cocktail results.

Peach on the Beach (Sweetland Cellars Tango Peach, Citron vodka, raspberries, 7 Up)
White Sangria Fizz (Sweetland Cellars White Sangria, vodka, apple juice, club soda)
Jazz Berry Chocolate Martini (Sweetland Cellars Jazz Berry, chocolate vodka)
Zinberry Splash (Sweetland Cellars Zinberry, vodka, blueberries, lemon, ginger ale, soda water, mint)