Sippin' On the Summer
Summer is here, and with it comes watering holes serving up your favorite sun-soaked drinks.
By Cyote Williams
TULLPA RESTAURANT: Pina Colada
3708 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines
www.tullpadsm.com
Tullpa serves authentic Peruvian food that has delighted metro area taste buds. They also offer an excellent pina colada. The basic ingredients of a pina colada are pineapple juice, cream of coconut and white rum, creating a refreshing and tasty summer beverage.
HACIENDA VIEJA: Margarita
1101 E. First St., Suite 101, Grimes
www.haciendaviejadsm.com
Hacienda Vieja has won CITYVIEW’s Margarita Wars competition several times in the past, and for good reason. Their shaker margaritas come in multiple flavors and have become a local favorite. Margaritas consist of tequila, triple sec and lime juice.
EL RINCON CUBANO RESTAURANT AND BAR: Mojito
1452 Second Ave., Des Moines
www.elrinconcubanorestaurantia.com
This authentic Cuban restaurant has had reviewers saying it reminds them of Miami. Being able to bring that kind of vibe to central Iowa is ideal for those looking for a summer cocktail. At El Rincon, try their Mojito. Mojitos typically consist of five ingredients: white rum, sugar, lime juice, soda water and mint.
THE BARTENDER’S HANDSHAKE: Aperol Spritz
3615 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines
www.thebartendershandshake.com
The Aperol Spritz at The Bartender’s Handshake is made with Aperol, sparkling wine, soda and orange. And, for those who get there before 6 p.m., it is only $6. The owners describe their business as “a small, neighborhood cocktail bar serving craft cocktails, unique wines and beer alongside homemade bites.” Toss in a solid patio, and this place gives patrons a great place to enjoy a summer drink.
JASPER WINERY: Sangria
2400 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines
www.jasperwinery.com
Did you know that Des Moines has a winery right in its own backyard? Did you also know that they make a killer sangria? We did, and we felt like you should know, too. Made with real fruit from blackberry, raspberry and blood orange, their sangria can be purchased in a can for you to take home to enjoy, or grab a fresh glass of it at their summer concert series.
BUBBA: Mint julep
200 10th St., Des Moines
www.bubbadsm.com
This downtown restaurant serves Southern-style food, much to the delight of metro diners. Their cocktail selection is equally impressive, including their mint julep. Thursdays are Sips and Sliders night, where you can dine on $10 BBQ slider trios with $6 select sips, which includes their Bubba Julep, made with Old Forester bourbon and fresh mint.
HOBNOB COFFEE AND WINE BAR: Tequila sunrise
1000 Walnut St., Des Moines
www.hotelfortdesmoines.com/dining/hobnob-coffee-and-wine-bar
This European-style cafe is located inside the iconic Hotel Fort Des Moines, and it is not your average hotel bar. Hobnob Coffee and Wine Bar is named after the original Hobnob eatery from the 1940s and carries on its legacy. Their tequila sunrise is made with Blanco tequila, orange juice and grenadine with a sea salt rim. This is the priciest option of the drinks on our list, but it is worth it.
KELLY’S LITTLE NIPPER: Sex on the beach
1701 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines
www.kellyslittlenipper.com
This no-frills bar is located on Des Moines’ east side. Kelly’s was established in 1940 and holds the second-oldest liquor license in Polk County. That’s impressive. Just as impressive? Their sex on the beach, made with vodka or Malibu, peach schnapps, pineapple juice, orange juice and topped with grenadine for a delightful summer sipper.
COA CANTINA: Paloma
425 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines
www.coacantinadsm.com
The Coa Paloma is made with Blanco tequila, fresh lime juice, grapefruit juice, Aperol, topped with Squirt and fresh grapefruit and comes with a salted rim. Coa Cantina also sports a nice patio in the East Village, making it ideal to stop in for a quick drink (or two) on a day of shopping.
TULLPA RESTAURANT: Pina Colada
3708 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines
www.tullpadsm.com
Tullpa serves authentic Peruvian food that has delighted metro area taste buds. They also offer an excellent pina colada. The basic ingredients of a pina colada are pineapple juice, cream of coconut and white rum, creating a refreshing and tasty summer beverage.
HACIENDA VIEJA: Margarita
1101 E. First St., Suite 101, Grimes
www.haciendaviejadsm.com
Hacienda Vieja has won CITYVIEW’s Margarita Wars competition several times in the past, and for good reason. Their shaker margaritas come in multiple flavors and have become a local favorite. Margaritas consist of tequila, triple sec and lime juice.
EL RINCON CUBANO RESTAURANT AND BAR: Mojito
1452 Second Ave., Des Moines
www.elrinconcubanorestaurantia.com
This authentic Cuban restaurant has had reviewers saying it reminds them of Miami. Being able to bring that kind of vibe to central Iowa is ideal for those looking for a summer cocktail. At El Rincon, try their Mojito. Mojitos typically consist of five ingredients: white rum, sugar, lime juice, soda water and mint.
THE BARTENDER’S HANDSHAKE: Aperol Spritz
3615 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines
www.thebartendershandshake.com
The Aperol Spritz at The Bartender’s Handshake is made with Aperol, sparkling wine, soda and orange. And, for those who get there before 6 p.m., it is only $6. The owners describe their business as “a small, neighborhood cocktail bar serving craft cocktails, unique wines and beer alongside homemade bites.” Toss in a solid patio, and this place gives patrons a great place to enjoy a summer drink.
JASPER WINERY: Sangria
2400 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines
www.jasperwinery.com
Did you know that Des Moines has a winery right in its own backyard? Did you also know that they make a killer sangria? We did, and we felt like you should know, too. Made with real fruit from blackberry, raspberry and blood orange, their sangria can be purchased in a can for you to take home to enjoy, or grab a fresh glass of it at their summer concert series.
BUBBA: Mint julep
200 10th St., Des Moines
www.bubbadsm.com
This downtown restaurant serves Southern-style food, much to the delight of metro diners. Their cocktail selection is equally impressive, including their mint julep. Thursdays are Sips and Sliders night, where you can dine on $10 BBQ slider trios with $6 select sips, which includes their Bubba Julep, made with Old Forester bourbon and fresh mint.
HOBNOB COFFEE AND WINE BAR: Tequila sunrise
1000 Walnut St., Des Moines
www.hotelfortdesmoines.com/dining/hobnob-coffee-and-wine-bar
This European-style cafe is located inside the iconic Hotel Fort Des Moines, and it is not your average hotel bar. Hobnob Coffee and Wine Bar is named after the original Hobnob eatery from the 1940s and carries on its legacy. Their tequila sunrise is made with Blanco tequila, orange juice and grenadine with a sea salt rim. This is the priciest option of the drinks on our list, but it is worth it.
KELLY’S LITTLE NIPPER: Sex on the beach
1701 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines
www.kellyslittlenipper.com
This no-frills bar is located on Des Moines’ east side. Kelly’s was established in 1940 and holds the second-oldest liquor license in Polk County. That’s impressive. Just as impressive? Their sex on the beach, made with vodka or Malibu, peach schnapps, pineapple juice, orange juice and topped with grenadine for a delightful summer sipper.
COA CANTINA: Paloma
425 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines
www.coacantinadsm.com
The Coa Paloma is made with Blanco tequila, fresh lime juice, grapefruit juice, Aperol, topped with Squirt and fresh grapefruit and comes with a salted rim. Coa Cantina also sports a nice patio in the East Village, making it ideal to stop in for a quick drink (or two) on a day of shopping.