Wine & Dine / Tropical Cocktails
UPFRONT PLACES | PERSPECTIVES | HAPPENINGS
Endless Summer Elixirs
WARM UP YOUR WINTER NIGHTS WITH THOUGHTS OF SUMMERTIME WHILE SIPPING THESE TROPICAL COCKTAILS .
By SHARAEL KOLBERG
A lthough the temperatures in Laguna Beach don ’ t dip as low as many other locales , winter weather often leaves us dreaming of the warmer months . Escape the dreary doldrums with fruity drinks that will have you reminiscing about midsummer mixtures . From rum-filled mai tais to citrus-based margaritas , local bartenders are whipping up cocktails that are sure to put you in a sunshine state of mind — without having to slip on your swim trunks or squeeze into a bikini .
The tropical Dad ’ s Mai Tai cocktail at Reunion Kitchen & Drink
REUNION KITCHEN & DRINK Step right up to the Reunion Kitchen & Drink dining room to enjoy a cocktail just like you ’ ll get in Hawaii : Dad ’ s Mai Tai is hand shaken with three types of rum — RumHaven Caribbean , Captain Morgan and Myers ’ s Rum — then blended with amaretto almond liqueur and fresh tropical juices . Refreshing due to its sweet and fruity undertones , the spirit-forward beverage is garnished with a dehydrated orange , a pineapple slice and a cherry . Reunion Kitchen & Drink focuses on innovative interpretations of classic comfort foods in a cozy dining room , presenting diners with a pleasant and relaxing experience reminiscent of being home with family — but this drink , says owner Scott McIntosh , is inspired by the urge to travel . “ Hawaii is one of my favorite places to vacation and I always love enjoying a … [ cocktail ] by the beach ,” he explains . “ The laid-back feeling you get while visiting the island compares to enjoying a nice dinner in Laguna Beach while watching the sunset . It was a nobrainer to include a fresh mai tai on our menu to give the guest [ s ] a relaxing , vacation-like option .” ( 949-226-8393 ; reunionkitchen . net )
BOB HODSON PHOTOGRAPHY
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