Summer cocktails bring bold, fresh flavors to Salt Lake City
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Urban Hill's summer cocktails. Courtesy: Hill Top Hospitality
Bartenders across Salt Lake City are crafting bold seasonal beverages for cooling off amid the summer heat and sipping in style.
Why it matters: Mixologists are experimenting with seasonal ingredients, local produce, agave spirits and low- to zero-proof spirits to meet the growing demand for refreshing and inclusive drinks.
What they're saying: "Mezcal has been in the spotlight for the last couple of summers," Katie Forstner, beverage manager and sommelier at Urban Hill, told Axios on drink trends she's seen around Salt Lake City.
- She noted the growing popularity of lighter, booze-free drinks.
Here's our menu of summer sips:
🍸 Urban Hill
The fine dining restaurant spent about six months creating its summer cocktail menu, according to Forstner, and there's something for everyone.
State of play: Wicked Dreams ($18) — likely the prettiest cocktail I've ever sipped — blends seasonal beets and raspberries with Cimarron reposado tequila, Brennivin Rugbraud and Cocchi Americano and is topped with foam.
- The smoky, mezcal-forward Persephone ($18) features Luxardo Bitter Bianco, sumac and Greek yogurt, giving it an opaque color.
- For a low-alcohol by volume (ABV) option, I was delighted by the Lazarus ($14) mixed with Velvet Falernum, Wahaka Mezcal Espadín, dandelion tea, grapefruit and lemon.
🍷 Melancholy
Just a few doors down from Urban Hill, this two-story wine bar shines at infusing cocktails and wine.
What I tried: The Lilith ($15) is mixed with blanco tequila, passion fruit, elderflower, Sauvignon Blanc and citrus.
- The Delilah ($15) features blanco tequila, guava honey, elderflower, Torrontés and citrus.
- Both cocktails are floral and tart but not too sweet.
🍹 Water Witch
Utah's only 2025 James Beard-nominated watering hole, in Central 9th, prepares some of the best tropical drinks in town.
- You can't go wrong with classics like a piña colada ($13) or Mai Tai ($12) — best enjoyed on its cozy patio on a hot day.