It’s the kind of weather that calls for creative drinks to beat the summertime heat. Here’s our round-up of some great liquid destinations to quench your triple-digit thirst:
Drink: Fresh-squeezed lemonade
Watering hole: Mister Parker’s Lemonade Stand at The Parker Palm Springs
Despite its innocent-sounding name, the Mister Parker’s Lemonade Stand at The Parker resort serves alcoholic beverages as well as freshly-squeezed lemonade, using citrus grown right on the hotel’s grounds. You can sip this perfect summertime beverage under the bar’s yellow-and-white striped awning or served in the shade of poolside umbrellas at their adults-only Gene Autry pool, located near the cowboy actor’s actual house (which is now a vacation rental on the property). Though the pool is open 24 hours, the stand is only open from dawn ‘til dusk, so be sure to get there in time for a round of sundowner drinks.
Drink: Lavender Mojito
Watering hole: Purple Palm restaurant at the Colony Palms Hotel
The Colony Palms Hotel is as classically Californian as they come, with an elegant pool tucked amid 1930s stucco-and-red-tile buildings. Their poolside restaurant called Purple Palm features walls adorned with a palm tree silhouettes against a purple background, wood beams ceilings, and French doors looking out on to the water. It’s the ideal place to sip one of their signature Lavender Mojitos, made fresh with herbs grown in the hotel garden. If that doesn’t quench your thirst, then follow it with a La Boheme, a concoction made with Tanqueray, St. Germain, muddled cucumber, and ginger. Then lie on one of the huge sunbeds and tan the day away.
Drink: Citron Blue
Watering hole: Citron Bar at Viceroy Palm Springs
The Viceroy Palm Springs is bathed in the 1940s Regency style of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Even nowadays, their casual indoor/outdoor restaurant is the kind of place you may see Hilary Swank entering the kitchen, plate in hand, seeking a second helping of an entrée, or Miley Cyrus joining in a public game of Twister on the resort’s lawn. (Both true stories!) Sit at the Citron Bar on one of the designer stools with sunlight reflecting on the yellow and white décor and tiles while sipping on their signature Citron Blue: a mixture of Hypnotiq, citron vodka, sweet and sour, with a champagne floater. The rest of the day will surely float for you then onwards!
Drink: Watermelon Fresca
Watering hole: Native Foods restaurant
Ask any local where the best vegetarian restaurant in Palm Springs is, and they will point you to Native Foods, hidden away in an outdoor mall at Smoke Tree Village. Even carnivores love the café’s world fusion menu with everything from sweet potato taquitos to an Oklahoma Bacon Cheeseburger made with seitan. And best of all are their handmade drinks, including lavender lemonade and organic hibiscus and wild berry tea. But our favorite is the seasonal Watermelon Fresca, blended from fresh watermelons with a touch of mint and sweetened with organic agave. You’ll be ordering your second one even before your meal arrives.
Drink: Bloody Mary
Watering hole: Azul
Even when the weather is roasting, you’ll see Azul’s patio full of patrons cooling off under the extensive misters or swaying away on the outdoor lounge’s signature swing table and chairs. This gay-popular spot is filled for Sunday brunch, when the drink special is their hearty $4 bloody marys, as well as $4 mimosas – all the way until 9 pm! But come any afternoon from 4 pm to 9 pm to enjoy their rotating $2 drink specials that change daily, as well as a $5 appetizer menu, one of the best deals in town. Inside, you’ll often find colorful singers on stage or theme parties going on. It’s never a dull moment at this local favorite watering hole.
