梅泰勒 Taylor Melton
With the sweltering heat and humidity of summer in full swing, it’s time to switch up our drinks to something more seasonal. A refreshing cocktail can do wonders for escaping the sticky heat and mentally transporting oneself to a relaxing tropical beach overlooking the ocean. Whether it’s a classic margarita, revitalizing Tom Collins, or a sweet mojito, there is no shortage of summer-appropriate mixed drinks to be found around Taichung. For this article, I sought out locales and bartenders that are creating unique, innovative cocktails perfect for the summer and not found anywhere else.
Ruler Bar
(04) 2312-2979
西屯區臺灣大道三段38號
38, Taiwan Blvd, Sec 3, Xitun Dist
8 pm-4 am
$30 Black Tea (NT$350) is Ruler Bar’s latest concoction for escaping the heat. Taking Brazil’s national cocktail–the Caipirinha–as inspiration, bartender Andrew has crafted a sweet-and-sour drink with floral notes that is incredibly addictive. The key ingredient is Cachaca–fermented sugar cane similar in flavor to rum, plus peach, rose and black tea liqueurs and lime juice. The drink is garnished with a lime, doused in bitters, and a rose bud that hits the nose first before the first sip. $30 Black Tea is incredibly smooth with a nice sweetness that gives way to a sour finish, keeping the drink light and refreshing. The talented bartenders at Ruler Bar also have numerous other drinks up their sleeves for customers seeking something different to cool down with.
Wine Barrel
(04) 2329-4711
西屯區精誠路30號2F
30, JingCheng Rd, 2F, Xitun Dist
週三&四/Wed-Thu 7 pm-12 am, 週五&六/Fri-Sat 7 pm-1 am
To beat this summer’s heat, The Wine Barrel is offering three fantastic cocktails guaranteed to quench your thirst. The Jungle Bird (NT$220) mixes pineapple, Campari, dark rum, lime, and cherry. The cocktail goes down easily with a sweet fruity start and a delicate sour finish, giving one the memory of lying on a beach. After first thinking up the name Day Spa (NT$250), owner Chris set out to make a cocktail fitting of the name. Coconut rum, sour apple liqueur, and a cucumber garnish round out this clean, refreshing drink. For an energetic party-in-your-mouth flavor, Passionate Tequila (NT$250) will do the trick. With silver tequila, Cointreau, passion fruit and lime juices, and a maraschino cherry, the sweet flavors jump around the mouth and excite the taste buds.
The Prime – Grill & Lounge
(04) 3705-6099
西屯區市政路77號24F(日月千禧酒店)
77, Shizheng Rd, 24F, Xitun Dist (Millennium Hotel Taichung)
11:30 am-2:30 pm, 6-11 pm
The Prime Grill & Lounge at the Millenium Hotel is offering a terrific summer cocktail selection to be enjoyed with an exquisite dining experience and breathtaking views of the city. Harkening back to the days of old, Ice Tea (NT$300) is a black tea based cocktail made with white rum, cinnamon syrup, lime juice, and muddled apples, and is served in a traditional tea set commonly associated with the Qing Dynasty. The cocktail is well-balanced with a soft hint of cinnamon and so smooth you’d forget it was an alcoholic drink in the first place. Another available non-alcoholic cocktail is Flora (NT$200). Inspired by a Mojito, this “mocktail” combines fresh cranberry puree and muddled strawberries, soda water, lime juice and rose syrup to give a sweet and sour, refreshing drink. In contrast to the Ice Tea, this non-alcoholic concoction has a nice bite, giving the impression of containing alcohol.
Double Happy
北區博館路88號1樓; (04) 2329-0309
88, BoGuan Rd, 1F, North Dist
6 pm-2 am
This new bar and lounge serves up a variety of unique mojitos found nowhere else in Taichung to get you through the summer. The Cocopineapple Mojito (NT$360) is a soothing and cooling cocktail of coconut liqueur, muddled pineapple, mint, and white rum, garnished with a pineapple stalk and pineapple chunks coated in caramelized sugar. Although I’m not a fan of pineapple or coconut, the subtle coconut flavors melded excellently with the pineapple and rum to provide an invigorating sensation. Other mojitos (NT$360) include a Grape-Yogurt Mojito, Chilli-Inflused Rum Mojito, Watermelon Mojito, Coconut Mojito, and Condensed Milk Mojito Smoothie. For traditionalists, a Classic Mojito (NT$350) is also available.
ATC
西屯區市政路480號; (04) 2252-0038
480, ShiZheng Rd, Xitun Dist
11 am-11 pm, 週五~六/Fri-Sat 11 am-12 am
ATC (Alcohol Tea Coffee) has become a popular destination known for its unique fusion of western ambiance and local cuisine and teas. In keeping with this multicultural mix, bartenders here (with the help of Tainan’s famed TCRC Bar) are offering a series of four unique summer cocktails based on fine oolong teas (plus two oolong tea beers). These include Oolong Tea Shots (NT$1,000 for 12 shots), a mix of oolong from Nantou County’s Zhushan, rum, tonic water and peach liqueur, uniquely served in a traditional tea pot and cups. The Oolong Tea whiskey on the Rock (NT$300) features whiskey and almond wine poured over a giant oolong tea ice cube that softens the whiskey flavors as it melts. Green Tea Oolong Cocktail (NT$320) is a creamy, tropical-tasting mix of green Taiwan oolong, coconut liqueur, rum, pandan syrup and fresh cream, garnished with a pandan leaf.
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