‘Tis the season for cold drinks, all-day happy hours, and summer nights you’ll never forget. In a city as big as Chicago, the options are endless when it comes to places to get a drink, and there’s no wrong answer here in Lakeview East. From spritzes to margaritas, and everything in between, here are some of the amazing seasonal cocktails on the table this summer.

Swift Tavern

3600 N Clark St

Not a marg, not a mojito, but a secret third thing, the smartly coined “Blackberry Marg-ito” at Swift Tavern offers all the summer freshness you could hope for. Cold tequila complete with lime perfectly complements the bright flavors of the blackberry and orange, and mint marries it all to create the perfect spiked refreshment.

Apothecary Lounge

3242 N Clark St

Carefully crafted and curated flavors are kind of Apothecary Lounge’s MO, and their cocktail menu highlights this attention to detail masterfully. Oi Lindo is a brilliant blend of aged cachaça, oloroso sherry, chinola passion fruit, falernum, and lime that just tastes like summer. The frozen orange garnish offers an aromatic, fruity element that sits delicately on top of this foamy beauty, and we can’t recommend it enough.

Blind Wolf

3222 N Sheffield Ave

Stylish, spicy, and sharp, Da G Funk down at the Blind Wolf Speakeasy is light, refreshing, and perfect for a summer night hangout. Their weekly Wednesday night comedy shows are hilarious, and are all the entertainment you need while you sip on this mix of resposado, citrus, banana, and chili bitters.

Mordecai

3632 N Clark St

Mordecai has two offerings for this month’s cocktails for a cause, and if you can’t decide which to try, just order them both! A portion of proceeds support Old Town School – a Chicago institution bringing people together through music, arts education, and community programming. Their first creation, Garden Party mixes cucumber shrub, spirit-free amaro, tonic, and sparkling mineral water for an uber refreshing sip topped with crisp, fresh cucumber slices. For those who love a creamy drink akin to a piña colada, give Hammock Envy a try. Pictured in the shorter glass, rum, coconut, banana, pineapple, and citrus are mixed together to create a frothy, smooth, and delicious tropical blend that will make you feel like you’re on an island vacation right here in Lakeview East.

Muse Spirits

3169 N Broadway

It doesn’t get more Chicago than this— the Chicago Dog Martini is back again in all its glory. Glizzy-washed vodka, relish, celery bitters, mustard, and poppy seeds work simulate all the savory spiciness of a traditional Chicago dog for a truly uncanny drink that you can’t help but love. And, Chicago dog garnish skewer is the cherry, or glizzy, on top that pulls it all together.

Lark

3441 N Halsted St

Certainly not lacking in flavor, Lark’s newest summer cocktail, The Cockpit, is bursting with seasonal inspirations. Fig infused chicken cock kentucky bourbon, strawberry aperol, amaro, lemon, and orange bitters pair wonderfully to create a bright, citrussy cocktail that’s designed for patio season.

Matilda

3101 N Sheffield Ave #1

It’s not summer until you’ve had an Aperol Spritz. Matilda decided to put a spin on the classics this month, and their Strawberry Amaro Spritz is simply gorgeous. Smooth montenegro, lemon, prosecco, and soda come together to form a bubbly concoction that’s both refreshing and mouthwateringly decadent. Dried strawberries on top bring the idea home, and make it a must-try cocktail for the season.

Kit Kat Lounge

3524 N Halsted St

There’s absolutely no shortage of delicious martinis at the Kit Kat Lounge on Halsted, and their July flavors are no exception. The Plymouth Punch is for cherry lovers, and promises to be juicy, sweet, and a terrific cure for when the summer heat gets to be too much. Grenadine and lime juice swirl together with three olives cherry infused vodka to make it all happen, and the result is magic in a martini glass.