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Readers Pick PDX's 12 Best Warm-Weather Cocktails

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Holy crap everybody it is warm and sunny and beautiful outside right now, and perhaps most crucially, that fact is not going to change as the weekend arrives. In last week's Friday Open Thread, we asked readers to name-drop their favorite warm-weather cocktails, and a few trends emerged: margaritas, gingery drinks, and spots with sunny patios emerged as favorites.

In celebration of the sunshine, here now are 12 of Portland's Best Warm-Weather Cocktails, as deemed tops by readers. If your favorite still isn't included, do give it a shout in the comments — but seriously, shouldn't you be outside drinking right now?


· http://pdx.eater.com/tags/friday-open-threads">All Previous Friday Open Threads [Eater PDX]

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Swift Lounge

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Summertime drinking is apparently synonymous with big-ass jugs of drank, because several nominations came in for the 32-ounce mason jars at Swift Lounge. Votes came in for the habenero-infused "Bitchy Parrot" and the cucumber vodka "Stoned Finch," which also features elderflower syrup. Says a reader of the latter, "they do a great job infusing their liquors and this one is so fresh and summery."

Gold Dust Meridian

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Multiple comments came in for Gold Dust Meridian's "Strawberry Blade," featuring a simple and summer combination of vodka, strawberry nectar, and lemon. [Photo]

Teardrop Lounge

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Teardrop Lounge received a few votes for different cocktails on its sprawling list. In addition to nods for its uber-popular pina colada (which doesn't appear to be on the seasonal menu yet), one commenter praises Teardrop's take on the "Kentucky Buck," featuring whiskey, ginger syrup, lemon, and strawberry puree. [Photo]

Mi Mero Mole

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What Portland restaurant/bar makes the best margaritas? The debate begins now: Several readers recommend the plantain margarita at Mi Mero Mole, which contains a spiced plantain syrup.

¿Por qué no?

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Others vote for the classic margaritas at Por Que No, poured in a large pint glass. [Photo]

The Bye and Bye

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Another nod to a big-ass drink, this time at the Bye & Bye. One reader votes for its "eponymous cocktail: cranberry juice and peach-infused bourbon and vodka served in a huge Mason jar." [Photo]

Lucky Strike Chinese Restaurant

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With a menu full of spicy options, it's no surprise that many of Lucky Strike's cocktails are on the "refreshing" end, and one reader advocates for its "Busta Lime," which combines bourbon with lime, mint, and housemade ginger syrup.

The cocktail menu at Peruvian spot Andina is full of weather-appropriate margaritas, piscos, and tiki-ish rum cocktails, but it's its Acaipirinha — featuring a "splash" of acai berry — that has the biggest fans. Writes one commenter, it's "sooo good on a hot day."

Lardo East

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One reader recommends sitting on the large outdoor patio at Lardo's east side location with one of its grapefruit margaritas in hand. "Lardo East makes a tall, strong, super-tasty margarita with mezcal and grapefruit."

Little Bird Bistro

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Drinking at Little Bird doesn't necessarily evoke images of sun-dappled patios, but one reader recommends the spot's take on a summer drink: The "Le Pinata" features tequila, Sauternes, pineapple, and lemon, served on the rocks.

Sunshine Tavern

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For a frozen take on the margarita, the slushy machine at Sunshine Tavern churns out a simple frozen concoction of tequila, simple syrup, and lime.

This NE izakaya's back patio is a prime drinking spot when the sun's out, and one reader prefers his Vitamin D with Yakuza's "Whiskey #2," featuring bourbon, muddled ginger, and Cock & Bull ginger beer. [Photo]

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Swift Lounge

Summertime drinking is apparently synonymous with big-ass jugs of drank, because several nominations came in for the 32-ounce mason jars at Swift Lounge. Votes came in for the habenero-infused "Bitchy Parrot" and the cucumber vodka "Stoned Finch," which also features elderflower syrup. Says a reader of the latter, "they do a great job infusing their liquors and this one is so fresh and summery."

Gold Dust Meridian

Multiple comments came in for Gold Dust Meridian's "Strawberry Blade," featuring a simple and summer combination of vodka, strawberry nectar, and lemon. [Photo]

Teardrop Lounge

Teardrop Lounge received a few votes for different cocktails on its sprawling list. In addition to nods for its uber-popular pina colada (which doesn't appear to be on the seasonal menu yet), one commenter praises Teardrop's take on the "Kentucky Buck," featuring whiskey, ginger syrup, lemon, and strawberry puree. [Photo]

Mi Mero Mole

What Portland restaurant/bar makes the best margaritas? The debate begins now: Several readers recommend the plantain margarita at Mi Mero Mole, which contains a spiced plantain syrup.

¿Por qué no?

Others vote for the classic margaritas at Por Que No, poured in a large pint glass. [Photo]

The Bye and Bye

Another nod to a big-ass drink, this time at the Bye & Bye. One reader votes for its "eponymous cocktail: cranberry juice and peach-infused bourbon and vodka served in a huge Mason jar." [Photo]

Lucky Strike Chinese Restaurant

With a menu full of spicy options, it's no surprise that many of Lucky Strike's cocktails are on the "refreshing" end, and one reader advocates for its "Busta Lime," which combines bourbon with lime, mint, and housemade ginger syrup.

Andina

The cocktail menu at Peruvian spot Andina is full of weather-appropriate margaritas, piscos, and tiki-ish rum cocktails, but it's its Acaipirinha — featuring a "splash" of acai berry — that has the biggest fans. Writes one commenter, it's "sooo good on a hot day."

Lardo East

One reader recommends sitting on the large outdoor patio at Lardo's east side location with one of its grapefruit margaritas in hand. "Lardo East makes a tall, strong, super-tasty margarita with mezcal and grapefruit."

Little Bird Bistro

Drinking at Little Bird doesn't necessarily evoke images of sun-dappled patios, but one reader recommends the spot's take on a summer drink: The "Le Pinata" features tequila, Sauternes, pineapple, and lemon, served on the rocks.

Sunshine Tavern

For a frozen take on the margarita, the slushy machine at Sunshine Tavern churns out a simple frozen concoction of tequila, simple syrup, and lime.

Yakuza

This NE izakaya's back patio is a prime drinking spot when the sun's out, and one reader prefers his Vitamin D with Yakuza's "Whiskey #2," featuring bourbon, muddled ginger, and Cock & Bull ginger beer. [Photo]

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