Take It Easy with Summer Mocktails

As we make our way through the hottest part of the summer, you might be looking for tasty drinks to cool down. However, hot temps and alcohol don’t always mix. That's why Denver’s bars and restaurants have put together some mocktail menus and other non-alcoholic options. These summer sips are full of great taste without all the fuzziness the next day.

The Curtis Club: Over in River North, The Curtis Club has a mocktail menu using a variety of Boylan’s Natural Sodas. The Devil’s Lil Helper is a mix of black cherry soda, ginger beer, jaleno and lime, while the Key Lime Thyme is pineapple, lime, coconut cream and thyme. The Park Swing features green tea, lemon vanilla preserves, lemon and cream soda. Like ice cream? Who doesn’t! Pair your choice of soda with vanilla ice cream for a Boylan’s Float. (2100 Curtis St.; 720-420-9898)

Kachina Southwestern Grill: Kachina Southwestern Grill in Westminster offers up special mocktails with a south of the border twist. Agua Frescas are popular non-alcoholic drinks from Mexico that feature fruits, flowers or seeds combined with sugar and water. For summer Kachina has a whole Agua Fresca menu including Cucumber Mint, Hibiscus and Cantaloupe and Thyme. (10600 Westminster Blvd.; 303-410-5813)

Olive and Finch: The newly opened Olive and Finch wants to keep things on the healthy side with a huge variety of juices that are pressed on site. These juices will not only cool you down, but are good for you too. The Rejuvenate is a combination of apples, carrots, celery, cucumber, spinach and spirulina designed to pick you up after a grueling workout. The Rise & Shine is a combination of apples, kale, grapes, celery, ginger, lemon, orange and spinach. And the All In One is a refreshing blend of apples, beets, carrots, watermelon, cucumbers and ginger. Refreshing! (1552 E. 17th Ave.; 303-832-8663)

P17: P17 Bar Manager Charles Kollmann knows that people want to have a good time, yet not overindulge, especially when the temps start to rise. That’s why he put together this delicious mocktail menu using the same fresh house-made ingredients that guests will find in the cocktails. Try the Ginger Colada with ginger ale, pineapple, and coconut milk or the K Tizz Fizz with basil, orange, lemon and lime. The Flower Child features lavender, lime and mint. The bar also makes its own sodas and ginger beer. (1600 E. 17th Ave.; 303-399-0988)

TAG Restaurant: Chef Troy Guard’s TAG Restaurant in Larimer Square also has a mocktail menu. The TAG Ginger Ale is fresh ginger, lime syrup and soda. The Virgin Kumquat Jalapeno Mojito features, you guessed it, kumquat, jalapeno, mint, fresh lime and soda. The bar’s Coconut Soda is coconut milk, lime, simple syrup and soda or try the even more refreshing Cucumber Water with muddled cucumber, cane sugar, lemon and soda. (1441 Larimer St.; 303-996-9985)

Photo via Chandler Kim