Summer Drinks

1704 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118 (map)

We're feeling ... bullish. And sidewalk perching at its finest happens on the patio at this tapas mecca. Soak up the sun (and probable puppy kisses and baby stroll-bys) rightfully with small plates at the fore and beverage in hand. Comb the list of bright Spanish wines (from Muscat to Verdejo), or dive head-first into the finely crafted cocktails, like the truthful and loving Verdad y Amor, incorporating hibiscus-infused tequila, ginger and lime, or the aptly-named Southender, a highball flowing with vodka, mint, lemon and bubble-happy cava. We're already getting a little melty inside just thinking about it.

838 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02215 (map)

One of the city's most intimate and holy-cow-this-place-exists patios is a stone's throw from Fenway's hustle-bustle, yet remains relatively off the main radar. More for us! Go through the main restaurant, with clean lines and a gargantuan communal table, and escape through the back to the landscape enclave. Go local (lusciously so) with the refreshing 838 cocktail, with Berkshire Mountain gin, basil, grapefruit and lime. The margarita here is in a class of its own, and not for the faint of heart, with habanero-infused tequila, guava and cilantro. It's the drink that bites back--and you're gonna like it.

500 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02118 (map)

Are we in Boston, or are we in the garden patio of our dreams? Hard to tell, but we don't mind if Rocca keeps us guessing. The lush, grassy idyll is a perfect perch for an afternoon quencher at this Ligurian-tinged South End restaurant. Cool your constitution with sultry quaffs like the Frizzante Genoese, with St. Germain elderflower liqueur, rosé, prosecco and lemon juice; or the signature Ligurian lemonade, laced with Svedka Citron Vodka, limoncello, Campari, lemon and honey. Excuse us while we tend to our Italian lovers ... sip by lovely sip.

510 Atlantic Ave, Boston, MA 02110 (map)

We're not going to extricate the fuzzy logic behind the concept of this boxy, bright, modern eating spot--namely, sushi meets tequila meets salsa music. However, come summer, reason--like our wool sweater---goes out the window. Go over the moon with the tequila-focused cocktails on pour here, including the vitamin C-blasting pineapple kiwi 'rita or the tarragon lime version (tequila with tarragon-infused simple syrup, Key lime juice, with a fancy-dancy Peruvian Pink salt rim--or in a pitcher, if you please). They're best drunk outside on the patio, with the Boston harbor waving at you all night.

One Seaport Lane, Boston, MA 02210 (map)

Hop, skip, jump--don't be surprised if you splash right into the harbor. But no need to lug your life-preserver to Tamo, the Seaport Hotel's bar, since its Harbor Islands martini menu will rescue you from any of life's unpredictabilities. The historically inspired cocktails happen all summer. You're not just drinkin'--you're learnin'! Peddocks Island (shot in Scorcese's film "Shutter Island") equates to Myers rum, OJ and grenadine in a glass, and George's Island-Fort Warren (a Civil War prison camp), mixes up Cuervo Gold, Cointreau, Grand Marnier, pomegranate liqueur and sour into a most delicious lesson on Boston's past.