While last winter’s polar vortex would have us forget, the climbing mercury and walls of humidity will quickly remind us that we live in the north most subtropical major metropolitan city in the US. With cruel summers guaranteed, how do Philadelphians beat the heat? Air conditioning is a good idea, but cocktails are better. Last month we shared the new ones at 1 Tippling Place. Now add these to your list of light, fresh, crisp, fruity, and refreshing summer specialties to try.

Oyster House (1516 Sansom St.; 215-567-7683)
The summer cocktail menu offers fun choices like Strawberry Mansion (white pepper infused rye, muddled strawberry, aperol $10), Bonita En Rosa (Reposado tequila, campari, St. Germain, lime $11), and (pictured above) Bootsy Collins Punch (Pimms, cucumber, lemon-dill gin, rosemary lemonade $8). Check-out the rest of their menu.

Liberté Lounge (120 S. 17th St.; 215-569-8300)
It would be hard to get more local than a rooftop garden for harvesting basil, cucumber, and mint, and that is exactly where the ingredients for these new summer signature cocktails come from. The honey is local too: Honey Bud (Gosling’s Dark Rum, ginger, orange, lime, honey served on the rocks $12); Val’s Garden (Uncle Val’s Gin, St. Germain, cucumber, mint, lime $14), and Thai-ger Eye (Patron Reposado, thai basil, ginger, agave, cayenne and cumin and served up $14).

coZara (3200 Chestnut St.; 267-233-7488)
For something refreshing, but out of the ordinary, try one of of coZara’s Chu-Hi cocktails. Chu-Hi is a traditional Japanese cocktail that’s based on the vodka-like spirit Shōchū. The Yuzu Mint Chu-Hi (pictured right) combines Shōchū with yuzu juice, fresh mint and mint-infused vodka ($11).

Trolley Car Diner (7619 Germantown Ave.; 215-753-1500)
Want to feel like a kid again? A big kid? Quench your thirst with Ken Weinstein’s solution. Weinstein, the Trolley Car Diner’s owner, created this treat at their annual Beer BBQ last year – Ken's Adult Strawberry Float (Lancaster Brewing Company’s Strawberry Wheat Beer with strawberry ice cream $7.95).

Photos: Drink Philly