Four young Pittsburgh mixologists met at TABLE studios to dream up some thirst-quenching and very sippable summer cocktail drinks designed for warm evenings. Kaltlin Fellers, John Hess, Maddison Fyffe, and Darelle Canada all combine a wealth of knowledge and experience with a vibrant, youthful energy.
What Makes a Good Summer Cocktail?
Usually, you want refreshing, light flavors, rather than heavier, smokier ones. And definitely nothing that dries out your mouth during the months where you need the most water. However, these cocktails buck convention a little bit by showing that something like earl grey syrup doesn’t necessarily make a fall cocktail.
7 Unique Summer Cocktails from Pittsburgh Mixologists
Everything’s Growing in Our Garden Chamomile Cocktail by Kaitlin Fellers
Chamomile in a cocktail? Maybe you’re shaking your head. Chamomile is best known as tisane that helps you sleep. But in this cocktail, it becomes a cordial. It’s not as unusual as you might think. In Italy, grappa camomilla is a very popular (and delicious) liqueur. To get the chamomile flowers, you can buy them in bulk at many places including Bulk Apothecary, Amazon, and even Walmart.
Beso Beso, a A Grapefruit Cocktail for the Weekend by John Hess
Mixologist John Hess’s wry charm was expressed in this tasty, multilayered, sipping experience of a grapefruit cocktail. The flavors play across the palate in ways that are both serious and playful. It’s definitely something to try on a Friday, at home, when you know you’ve earned a seriously good cocktail as the weekend starts.
Stealing the Moonlight Simple Pink Cocktail by KaitlIn Fellers
Because this cocktail begins with tequila and Cointreau, you’re thinking Oh, a margarita! You’re not entirely wrong of course, but the addition of rose-vanilla syrup and Campari is a game changer that makes this a unique margarita. The flavor experience speaks to fair weather, glowing sunsets, and maybe someone noteworthy by your side.
Silk Chiffon Easy Party Cocktail by Kaitlin Fellers
In this easy party cocktail, delicate notes of rose dance a dance with the complexity of gin and the sunshine of lemon juice. It’s the perfect opener for a chilled soup or a simple, farm-fresh salad. Don’t let its pink appearance and rose petal garnish fool you–this cocktail will delight girls and guys alike.
Smoking Gun Mezcal Smoky Cocktail by Maddison Fyffe
There’s a gleam in mixologist Maddison Fyffe’s eye because a touch of wit colors her take on things. We see this wit in her creation, the Smoking Gun, a smoky cocktail with mezcal and scotch. The spicy sweetness of ginger syrup and the fragrance of orange bitters bring the duo alive like two friends having a marvelously delicious time together.
Silver Lining Earl Grey Cocktail by Kaitlin Fellers
This Earl Grey cocktail offers a delicate aroma of bergamot. With champagne flute in hand, perhaps dive into smoked salmon and cucumber canapes, or skewers of fresh fruit. Though Earl Grey is a black tea usually served hot, turning it into a sweet syrup allows for it to mix with the flavors of the champagne and prosecco in this recipe. It doesn’t hurt that you get a little extra caffeination from the tea, either!
Flyaway, a New Take on the Jungle Bird Cocktail by Darelle Canada
“What’s it called?” we asked mixologist Darelle Canada when he pushed his stunning drink across the counter. “See the red at the bottom? It’s a deconstructed Jungle Bird cocktail. I call it Flyaway” he said. A fitting name because it blew us away. Great to look at. Delicious to drink.
Story by Carole Valle / Photography by Joey Kennedy
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