From kumquats to mangos and citrusy bitters to herbal amari, Baltimore bartenders are shaking and stirring summertime flavors with our favorite liquors to create elevated cocktails around the city.

 

If the word “daiquiri” still conjures up a mental image of a curvy stemmed glass filled with brightly colored slush topped with a tiny umbrella, it’s time to visit B&O to try an authentic version that Hemingway would surely approve of. (2 N Charles St; 443-692-6172)

 

Cunningham’s: Ramrod
Brown liquor is often associated with cool-weather imbibing, but Cunningham’s bar makes bourbon summer-ready with a few citrusy additions. (1 Olympic Pl, 410-339-7730)

 

Cured and 18th & 21st: Two Tiny Flowers
These sister restaurants (one a neighborhood bar concept, the other a prohibition style supper club) recently opened in downtown Columbia and kicked off their bar program with some summery cocktails like this floral take on a Cosmopolitan. (10980 Grantchester Way #110; 667-786-7111)

 

Explorers at the Royal Sonesta Harbor Court: Peach Basil Gimlet
Seasonal flavors of peach and basil elevate the simple gimlet at this harborside hotel. (550 Light St; 410-234-0550)
 

This Brazilian steakhouse is known as the spot to find meat-sweat inducing mounds of beef, lamb, chicken, and pork. However, the warmly lit, television-free bar at this harborside restaurant also offers a lighter option during happy hour with $4 bar bites like spicy chicken sliders, hearts of palm and spinach dip, Brazilian empanadas, and crispy parmesan polenta fries to accompany $8 cocktails. Their classic caipirinha is on-point, but the summertime version incorporates berries and hibiscus (and clocks in at only 180 calories). (600 E Pratt St; 410-528-9292)

 

Gunther & Co.: Dinosaurs in the Jungle
This Brewer’s Hill bar is consistently creative, composing cocktails with complex flavor profiles, and this year’s summer drink menu is no exception. (3650 Toone St; 443-869-6874)

 

With so few rooftop bars in Baltimore, once you snag a seat at Skybar you may not want to leave it. Solution? Grab a 32 oz bucket of their refreshing White Peach Sangria for just $12 and enjoy the view for a while. (20 W Baltimore St; 410-539-8400)

 

Power Plant Live!
For Friday happy hours throughout the summer, nearly all of the bars at the Power Plant are serving up signature summer sips to the backdrop of bands and local DJs. (34 Market Pl; 410- 727-5483)

 

Ruth’s Chris is brightening up the basic martini with classic summertime flavors like lime, watermelon, basil, and apricot. (Multiple locations in Maryland)

 

A collaboration between Papa's Pilar’s “rum guru” Aaron Joseph and The Elephant’s bar manager Mike Ennis, this special summer cocktail was designed for one of The Elephant's monthly Curated Culinary Events, The Elephant's "An Evening of Island Rums & Caribbean Cuisine". (924 N Charles St; 443-447-7878)

 

Gina Netisingha, Wit & Wisdom’s newest Lead Bartender, has created a lengthy list of summer appropriate cocktails with surprising, complex flavor combinations like one tropical sip we tried, Lot 27, that also incorporates activated charcoal and egg whites (points awarded for the potential for hangover prevention… or remedy). She’s a huge fan of session cocktails - those with a low ABV (less than 20) - like her Commercial Break which is perfect for sipping on Wit’s warm patio in the summer. (200 International Drive; 410-576-5800)