As the mercury rises on the thermometer, so does our urge to reach for a refreshing, cold drink. In the morning, that might mean getting your caffeine jolt on the rocks. At lunch, it might be the pleasure of flavored iced teas and lemonades. Non-alcoholic beverages get doctored up in this roundup of the most creative ways to quench your thirst on a hot summer day.
Blueberry Mint Fizz
For as many occasions as it is appropriate and pleasurable to consume an alcoholic drink, there are just as many when it’s not, whether you’re the designated driver or a mother-to-be. If that’s the case, you won’t miss a thing with Crave’s alternatives to the cocktail. The blueberry mint fizz resembles a virgin mojito, made with fresh mint, fresh blueberries, house-made lemonade and a splash of soda water. A glass of the sweet peach tea is also bound to get your mouth watering, made with pieces of fresh peach and freshly brewed iced tea. “We like to take that crafted cocktail element and apply it to non-alcoholic beverages,” says marketing manager Mike Herman. Any customer who is taking the night off from alcohol will appreciate the 10 non-alcoholic options, all priced at $4.95.
Galleria, 3520 W. 70th St., Edina; 952.697.6000
Hours: 11 a.m.–10 p.m., Mon.–Thurs., 11 a.m.–11 p.m., Fri.–Sat., 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Sun.
Saigon Sunset Cooler
An Nguyen of Rice Paper has added an entire menu of creative drinks this summer season, all of which can be ordered in alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions. The Saigon Sunset Cooler is made with mango juice and a blast of cool sparkling water, plus a splash of fruit flavor on top ($5 for the N/A version, or $8 for the regular version made with sparkling wine). This drink and others, such as the pomegranate mist made with pomegranate juice and bubbles (prices as above), are garnished with mint, lime wedges and mixed berries.
3948 W. 50th St.; 952.288.2888
Hours: 11 a.m.–2 p.m., 5 p.m.–9 p.m., Mon–Thurs., 4 p.m.–8 p.m., Sun.
Sea Salt Caramel Latte
If you love the addictive flavor combination of salted caramel in your desserts, why not in your morning coffee? The caramel sea salt latte at Peoples Organic is made with espresso, caramel syrup and sea salt ($3.75-$4.75). The basic cold-pressed iced coffee is another popular way to kick off the day ($2.50-$3.50). Lemonade is made to order here, another refreshing cold drink made with freshly squeezed lemons and agave nectar instead of sugar. The mint version, made with fresh crushed mint, is also lovely ($4). The café often uses agave instead of sugar to serve customers with dietary restrictions, and because it has a subtle taste.
Galleria, 3510 W. 70th St.; 952.426.1856
Hours: 6 a.m.–10 p.m., Mon.–Thurs., 6 a.m.–11 p.m., Fri.–Sat., 6 a.m.–9 p.m., Sun.
Mint Lime White Tea
Caribou is the one-stop shop for pleasing any palate that needs a refreshing cold beverage to put some vigor in the day. The coffee company has several reliable favorites on the cold drinks menu, including cold press coffee and iced mochas made with real dark, milk or white chocolate. This summer, however, you should take a moment to study the new line of sparkling teas and juices that’s come out, made with all-natural premium ingredients, like the mint lime white tea, made with limeade, crisp spearmint and white tea, a subtle, delicate tea that’s considerably lower in caffeine than black tea. Other varieties of these new bubbly drinks include peach black tea, green tea lemonade, lemon ginger pomegranate, very berry and berry black tea ($2.70 - $4). For a limited time only this summer, you’ll also find a new smoothie flavor, strawberry limeade, on Caribou’s blended drinks menu.
Various Edina locations
Blood Orange Virgin Margarita
As painful as it is to contemplate a visit to Cocina del Barrio without partaking in one of the dreamy margaritas, the blood orange virgin margarita offers some consolation. It’s made with sweet and sour, blood orange puree, orange juice and a splash of soda ($4). The bar also stocks a variety of Jarritos Mexican drinks, including tamarind, pineapple, lime, fruit punch and grapefruit. Barrio also offers Mexican Coca Cola fro $3 and Buddy’s Grape soda by the bottle for $3.50.
5036 France Ave. S.; 952.920.1860
Hours: 11 a.m.–1 a.m., Mon.–Thurs., 11 a.m.–2 a.m., Fri.–Sat., 11 a.m.–12 a.m., Sun.
Pomegranate Paradise
The all-fruit smoothies at Jamba Juice are a low-calorie alternative to the dairy-based smoothies, made with only fresh fruit, juice and ice. The Pomegranate Paradise is a tangy, summery choice, made with strawberries, mangoes, peaches and pomegranate juice (starting at $4.45). The Strawberries Wild is the most popular smoothie on the menu, made with frozen yogurt, strawberries, bananas and apple strawberry juice (starting at $4.10). Additionally, the company offers seasonal smoothies, fruit and yogurt parfaits, and fresh-squeezed juices like orange and carrot.
7511 France Ave.; 952.842.9251
Hours: 7 a.m.–8 p.m., Mon.–Fri., 8 a.m.–8 p.m., Sat., 9 a.m.–8 p.m., Sun.
Dirty Iced Chai
The name of this drink is intriguing enough to make you want to order one. Chai is brewed fresh in the shop, poured over ice and mixed with your choice of cow’s milk or soy. The “dirty” part comes from adding a shot of espresso, for a jolt of caffeine that also cuts the sweetness of the chai ($3.50-$4.15 plus 45 cents per shot of espresso). The mochas here can also be ordered frozen ($4.15-$4.85), with dark or white chocolate, for a smooth, rich delicious way to enjoy a summer treat. Arnie Palmer’s ($1.40-$1.75) are also popular thirst quenchers–made with your choice of brewed iced teas of the day and house lemonade.
7015 Amundson Ave.; 952.345.3380
Hours: 6:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.–2 p.m., Sat., Closed Sun.
Zingapore
The full array of options at Good Earth’s smoothie and juice bar are enough to guarantee that you won’t go thirsty this summer. The Zingapore is a fresh-squeezed juice ($4.95) made with pineapple and ginger, but there are about a dozen options, with add-ins like flax seed or wheatgrass for $1 extra. Berry lemonades made with fresh strawberries or raspberries also go over huge in the summertime. Dairy-free smoothies, made with ice, fruit and juice, like the copabanana with banana, mango, coconut milk and protein powder make for an excellent breakfast ($5.50).
Galleria, 3510 W. 70th St., Edina; 952.925.1001
Hours: 7 a.m.–10 p.m., Mon.–Sat., 7 a.m.–9 p.m., Sun.
Basil Lemonade
D’Amico & Sons could be a go-to spot not just for a lunchtime pizza, salad or sandwich, but also for an afternoon break, thanks to the basil lemonade being poured this summer. The lemonade is freshly hand-squeezed, with a blend of simple syrup and local basil for an Italian twist on the classic summer refreshment ($2.79).
3948 W. 50th St.; 952.926.1187
Hours: 11 a.m.–9 p.m., Sun.–Thurs., 11 a.m.–10 p.m., Fri.–Sat.
