10 Cocktails You Should Order In Atlantic City This Summer

Thousands will make the pilgrimage to America’s Favorite Playground looking for more than a Red Bull and vodka. But what are the elusive qualities that make a beverage able to transcend heat and humidity and truly refresh you? We found the guys who know. In order to assist you in making the most of your precious bar time, we enlisted Atlantic City experts to assess trends, ingredients and market research in order to provide the ultimate drinks itinerary.

This summery sweet blend was customized by Harrah’s Pool After Dark, and has been a major seller this season owing to its unusual blend. Black Haus blackberry schnapps mixes with peach schnapps, fresh sour mix and cranberry juice – it’s light, but not too light.

Among Atlantic City’s newest offerings is a Jameson Gingerade which gives a boardwalk update to its more boardroom predecessors. At the heart of its basic recipe (Jameson, ginger ale, melon and sour mix) is a simple sophistication and a bit of bubbly heat relief. You can pick this up exclusively at Caesars, Harrah’s, Showboat or Bally’s.

While it’s not a drink per say, this cinnamon whisky brand has been popping up everywhere from dive bars to bottle service menus, and has a real draw for the traditionally brown liquor adverse nightclub crowd. “The word’s out that this is a flavorful whisky,” explains Howard Weiss of Caesars Entertainment. “You can take a shot of it or sip on it and it doesn’t really taste like you’re drinking whisky.” Make sure to order a glass at your favorite local watering hole.

Said to be one of the oldest American cocktails, Sazerac is given a summery touch with a rye whiskey infused with orange peel and vanilla beans, along with an absinthe rinse and dash of bitters. It’s like a poolside creamsicle without the melting. You’ll find this at the majority of AC’s hottest spots.

In an environment built on momentary flash, turning to a tested classic can be a rewarding act of rebellion. Look for the whiskey sour in its most perfect form: a dry shake gives the egg white a perfect degree of frothiness which adds a hint of sweetness to Four Roses bourbon, lemon juice and house orange bitters. If this recipe isn’t on your menu, most bartenders will happily oblige.

There are margaritas, and then there’s this. Available at Dos Caminos at Harrah’s, the Cadillac Margarita features El Mayor Reposado tequila, fresh lime juice and a Grand Marnier float for a taste you’ve never experienced. We were told to sip slowly, and we suggest you do the same.

The best of the best for those seeking a more pared down seaside libation, this gin aperitif (cherry simple syrup, lime juice, club soda) achieves a fruity effect with a much lighter hand. Available at Caesars, Harrah’s, Showboat and Bally’s.

If you’re looking to sip on something that may come with a dowry, look no further than the Foundation Room’s pièce de résistance, the Shiva. While it’s made up of three parts – Belvedere Citrus vodka, cranberry liqueur and elderflower liqueur – you’ll also find an orchid-filled ice sphere floating in the center. Yes, you read that correctly.