Charlotte’s Summer Craft Cocktails Scene

Here’s a story worth suffering through writing and reading….our blogger Katie Ellis visits her favorite watering holes in the QC to share with you her favorite summer cocktails at each.

Soul Gastrolounge

Soul is always packed and for good reason – handcrafted cocktails served with tapas and delicious and innovative sushi.  I’ve always had great experiences at Soul with the bartenders being very accomodating to any changes I want to make to a cocktail – within reason.  To celebrate July 4th I had to try the 5th Amendment: Old Weller Antique 107 bourbon with fresh ginger syrup, peach, and mint poured over crushed ice.  My companion had The Presidential Sweet: Cranberry, Blue Curacao, lemon juice, agave, orange blossom water and Hangar One Vodka (seen above). Freedom has never been so liberating.

Heist Brewery

Heist is located in the heart of the artsy NoDa neighborhood with creative tapas to choose from and an awesome patio.  Although a brewery, my favorite part of visiting Heist is their cocktails.  There is nothing more refreshing to me in the summer than a Basil Smash: Cardinal Gin, local basil, fresh lime juice, simple syrup and club soda; or The Horny Toad: Hornitos Tequila, jalapeno agave syrup, Elderflower Liqueur, fresh sour mix and cholula. Too bad refills aren’t free.

e2 Emeril’s Eatery

Kick it up a notch and check out e2 for their summer craft cocktails, the featured cocktail being the Caribbean Passion, only available until September 1.  Close your eyes and pretend you’re by the ocean as you sip pepper-infused silver rum, passion fruit syrup, fresh squeezed lime juice, and Chambord, garnished with a slice of star fruit. Bam!

5 Church

Uptown’s favorite hot spot not only offers high-caliber meals, but it is also the locale of my favorite fresh cocktails. The Wildberry Mojito with Bacardi Limon, Chambord, raspberries, blackberries and mint is my favorite… and it’s the perfect picking season for berries.  Why  pick your own fruit when you can drink your own?

The Ritz Carlton Charlotte

A favorite place to stay and a favorite place to drink, The Ritz Carlton offers a luxury to its’ guests and even those off the hot streets of uptown by offering tasty cocktails and an elegant atmosphere.  There is also a cocoa bar with pies, cakes, and cupcakes to pair with your cocktail.  Yum!

The Summit Room 

Seeing that I’m a native Charlottean, it can be very difficult to find new places to check out that I haven’t already been to.  The Summit Room, having just opened on East Blvd, offers its’ “Seven Summits” or seven craft cocktails.  My two favorites are Mount McKinley and Mount Elbrus – the first consisting of  Jim Beam Devil’s Cut with Wild Turkey American Honey, organic apple cider, and dollop of applesauce; the second consisting of  Europe-Russia Stolichnaya, blue agave, fresh squeezed lemon and lime sour, and muddled strawberries and basil.  Get your climbing gear and head for the top!

Fahrenheit Charlotte

Offering not only a wonderful view of the city (see above), but also tasty cocktails, this location is the perfect spot to stop right after work to mingle, take a date or maybe grab a few drinks before heading to the Knights baseball game.  My two favorites would have to be the Spring Fling (gin, pama, lime juice, mint and simple syrup) and Whiskey Business (Barrel Aged Gentleman Jack, vanilla infused agave, lemon peel, blackberry and basil).  If you haven’t checked out this place, please do.  It’s a wonderful new addition to the uptown vibe.

Pisces Sushi Bar

Pisces has been a recent favorite for its’ cocktails in Creative Loafing and The Charlotte Observer – for good reason.   Try the Blueberry Soju Sake Martini with Barley Liqueur, Zipang Sparkling Sake, fresh blueberries and homemade ginger lemon grass foam.  Another of my refreshing favorites for the summer is the Carolina Peach, garnished with a grilled peach and consisting of peach juice, homemade sweet basil simple syrup, Cardinal Gin and Lillet Blanc.  Oh, and they also offer an all you can eat sushi lunch special.

Block & Grinder

Block & Grinder, located off of Providence Road, makes all of its’ cocktails with fresh ingredients from scratch.  The Hemingway, made with spiced rum, grapefruit, key lime, rhubarb bitters and orange twist is amazing, as is The Chupacabra with One 80 Vodka, Luxardo Maraschino, brandied cherries, lemon and cherry bitters.

Nan and Byron’s

My usual go-to for wine night with the ladies on Tuesdays (half-priced wine bottles AND glasses), I thought I’d test out their cocktails also.  Their exceptional service and personable staff keeps me coming back for more, and let’s not exclude their cocktails as another reason for my presence.  The Refashioned, made with Bulleit Rye Bourbon, orange bitters, peach bitters, muddled fresh strawberry, orange and cherries is right up my alley.  Being a bourbon drinker myself, that’s my go-to for most cocktails and I love fresh fruit.

Like a wise woman once said, everybody should believe in something – I believe I’ll have another drink.  Check out the scene yourself.  Cheers!