10 Best Frozen Drinks Bars Around The World
Some things are just plain better in the summer. Wearing shoes without socks, for example. Or Mexican food. Go ahead and add frozen drinks to that list. In the winter, ordering a slushy concoction may seem like the liquid equivalent of casually lighting up a Virginia Slims Super Slim in a crowded bar. It just doesn't work. But, once warm weather rolls around, there are few things more refreshing (and respected) than chilling out with a solid, boozy blended drink. In honor of Frozen Drinks Week here on Food Republic, we journeyed near and far to compile this list of the world's best bars dealing in the slushy stuff. From Bangalore to Miami Beach, here's where to sip the ultimate taste of summer.
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Whiskey Soda Lounge (Portland, OR)
At this casual boîte located alongside Andy Ricker's perennially popular Pok Pok, bartenders put Thailand's signature Singha beer to good use. After a few rotations in a barrel filled with salt and ice, the Thai brew comes out of the bottle with a frosty consistency similar to a 7-Eleven Slurpee. Called bia wun, or jelly beer, the Thai treat will soon be available to East Coasters as well: a second Whiskey Soda Lounge is set to open alongside Ricker's Brooklyn base this year. 3131 Southeast Division Street, Portland, 503-232-0102, whiskeysodalounge.com
Oasis Bar (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
In 1954, a tropical watering hole at the Hilton Caribe made history when bartender Ramón Marrero invented the piña colada on the premises. Now the official drink of Puerto Rico, frosty piña coladas are still served to nostalgic locals and sunburnt hotel guests alike at the recently renovated Oasis, which has floor-to-ceiling windows and a sleek chrome bar. 1 San Geronimo Street, San Juan, 787-721-0303, caribehilton.com
Potato Head Beach Bar (Bali, Indonesia)
One of Bali's hippest addresses, Potato Head was designed by Andre Matin as a modern take on the Coliseum in Rome. The amphitheater-shaped space is tiled in a mosaic of mismatched, 18th Century teak shutters collected from across Indonesia. Global DJs play sold-out sets on weekends, but the true stars are inventive frozen cocktails like the Kookaburra, which combines lemongrass-infused gin, passion fruit and mint. Jalan Petitenget, Seminyak, Bali, +62 361 4737979, ptthead.com
Wet Willies (Miami, FL)
The idea of a bi-level bar in South Beach that specializes in grain-alcohol-fortified slushies is admittedly terrifying. Yet Wet Willie's manages to charm, delighting everyone from decked-out club-goers to hard-drinking retirees with house specialties like the infamous Call a Cab, made with light rum and either 153- or 190-proof grain alcohol. Service is uniformly stellar, as is the people-watching from the bar's corner lot on Ocean Drive. 760 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, 305-532-5650, wetwillies.com
Noir (Philadelphia, PA)
This South Philly pub is both a solid date spot and a great neighbor. It purchases ingredients for its new frozen drinks menu from surrounding establishments, blending house-made, cherry-infused vodka with juices from Mancuso's cheese shop a few doors down, and topping them with custom-limoncellos made at the nearby Pollyodd. 1909 E. Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, 267-319-1678, noirphiladelphia.com
Bequia Beach Bar (St. Vincent & the Grenadines)
Caribbean beach bars are a dime a dozen, but Bequia's waterfront spot is notable for its commitment to sustainable farming. The limes and sugar apples used in its extensive list of frozen daiquiris are grown right on the property, then blended with local SLR or Captain Bligh rum. Bequia Beach Hotel, Friendship Bay, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, 784-458-1600, bequiabeach.com
Monkey Bar (Bangalore, India)
Providing a much-needed dose of revelry to Bangalore's buttoned-up nightlife, Manu Chandra's rowdy gastropub serves inspired, somewhat eccentric fare — think a whole mango soaked in vodka and topped with fiery chili. Naturally, the frozen beverages do not disappoint. The Kokum Ginger Margarita is a frosty mix of local mangosteens with tequila, black salt and fresh ginger, and the Monkecinno blends iced coffee with India's beloved Old Monk rum. 14/1 Wood Street, Bangalore, +91 80 41116878, mobar.in
The Tippler (New York, NY)
In the lower level of Manhattan's gargantuan Chelsea Market, The Tippler is a buzzy bar favored by the advertising and media agencies that occupy the offices above. This summer, the bar debuted a "Lushie of the Day" series, featuring a new frozen cocktail nightly. Highlights include the aptly named Snogroni, made with Campari, gin and sweet vermouth. 425 West 15th Street, New York, 212-206-0000, thetippler.com
Maria's (Santa Fe, NM)
Forget the fancy stuff. Sometimes, a thirsty traveler just wants to toast Americana with a fruity, frozen margarita. For those moments, there's Maria's. A Sante Fe institution since 1952, the bar and restaurant pours over 100 varieties of blended margaritas. All are made with tequila with at least 51% agave, Bols triple sec and boatloads of fresh lemon juice, hand-squeezed on site. 555 West Cordova Road, Santa Fe, 505-983-7929, marias-santafe.com
Aquabar (Cartagena, Colombia)
Located within Colombian designer Silvia Tcherassi's boutique hotel, Aquabar makes frozen drinks seem downright fashionable. The mod, glass-walled space seats just six, so you can get to know your neighbors over rum-spiked gaunabana blends, or the heady Tcherassi, a mix of gin, lemon juice, mint and aguardiente, Colombia's fiery, anise-flavored liqueur. ¡Ole! Hotel Tcherassi, 6-21 Calle del Sargento Mayor, Cartagena, +57 5 664 4445, tcherassihotels.com
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