Cool Summertime Cocktails and Where to Get 'Em

As temperatures rise, cold beverages go down more smoothly.

But what to drink to relax and help quench that thirst? Choices abound along the I-84 corridor.

"It all depends on what people are in the mood for," said Rich Volpe, the general manager of of his customers' drink preferences. "We have a special drink we do every week and, other than that, it's up to people's preogative on what they drink."

Volpe highlighted Señor Panchos' Karma margarita, made with a brand of tequila by the same name that he said was "certainly new to Connecticut."

might be the place to go if you're in the mood for more inventive, refreshing cocktails. Bartender Sophia Bernardo, 23, of Bridgeport, highlighted the Tavern's mint cucumber lemonade and pomegranate grapefruit martinis as some of the best drinks during steamy summer months.

"We just opened a month ago, so I can't really say yet what people drink [all summer long]," Bernardo said. "But since we've opened, we're constantly getting drink orders off our menu and they're usually the more refreshing ones. So, yeah, people are definitely in the mood for summer drinks."

Bernardo also divulged the mixture of the Tavern's popular "Bourbonito."

• Woodford Reserve Bourbon
• Freshly-squeezed lemon
• Mint
• A splash of soda

Farther down the intersate, features a sweet tea vodka drink that managing member and resident Tony Maniscalco, 34, said is pretty special. 

"We do sell a lot more Corona during the summer than at any other time of the year," Maniscalco said of customers' summer drink preferences. "Some people diversify and go the lighter, more refreshing drinks. Then again, a lot of people will stick with their staples, whatever they might be."

Some other popular summertime beverage spots are listed below.

• - Bethel
• - Brookfield
• - Brookfield
•  - Danbury
•  - Danbury
•  - Danbury
• - Oxford
• - Southbury

Please feel free to add your own!