10344 102 St NW
Located in the JW Marriott, Alchemy Bar is nothing short of luxurious. The fifth floor bar with a patio overlooking downtown has inviting leather couches perfect for mingling over a cocktail. No Shrubs is a vibrant green cocktail with Ketel One vodka, Midori melon liqueur, lime juice, honeydew shrub, sumac kiwi bitters and fever-tree soda. If you like surprises, order The Alchemist, a 3 oz ever-changing experimental cocktail.
10359 104 St NW | (780) 421-7060
Baijiu’s list of cocktails is intimidating, but the Baijiu Barbie is a classic. Coconut tequila, baijiu, pineapple and lemon drink will make you feel like you’re in paradise with each sip.
10538 Jasper Ave | (780) 423-4256
The Bower has a seasonal rotating cocktail menu, as well as classics like Paper Plane and Naked and Famous. But the Jalapeño Margarita is for a feisty soul. It’s refreshing and innocent-looking but makes your heart race. Don’t try to lick the salt rim right after you nibble on the jalapeño garnish, unless you want your lips on fire.
10550 115 St NW | (780) 707-0827
It’s hard to drink something that looks like a work of art when you know you’re just going to ruin it. That’s how it feels drinking the Beary Passionate cocktail from Brew & Bloom. The bright red drink screams summer vibes and is topped with fruit and a teddy bear made of ice. The drink is made with your choice of mango or strawberry puree, passionfruit lemonade, butterfly pea tea and vodka.
5012 50 St #102 | (780) 737-3633
It’s hard to dislike a cocktail as colourful as the Violet Queen. This purple drink features Empress Gin, charred orange Cointreau, peach lavender syrup and lemon juice.
11957 Jasper Avenue NW | (780) 756-4570
Clementine is the perfect spot for after work drinks or weekend nights out. The menu features 13 signature cocktails, and the Marathos and Gariguette are fruity and light. The Marathos is a light pink drink with absinthe, Zubrowka Vodka, pomegranate, grapefruit, lime and cremant. The Gariguette is a mix of pisco, Luxardo Aperitivo, lemon, thyme and strawberry with a sliced strawberry on the rim.
9910 109 St NW | (780) 452-7333
Among the many seasonal cocktails on their list, baristas at The Common put a friendly sense of humour into the Fu’s Waitlist — a cocktail curated for those who sit at The Common, waiting for their turn to get into the new and popular Fu’s Repair Shop right next door. This sweet cocktail has an espresso vodka and Kahlua base, stirred with Vietnamese cold brew and coconut condensed milk. It might not taste strong at first, but wait until you get another round of drinks at Fu’s. The coffee liquor brings the rest of the night to another level.
8232 Gateway Blvd NW | (780) 760-4444
Community Taps & Pizza has a lengthy list of cocktails, and, arguably, the best ones are the ones with uniquely Edmonton names. The QE II G&T is citrusy and light with Empress Gin, Fentimans pink grapefruit tonic water, rosemary simple syrup and lime. The drink is an electric blue, and the gin comes on the side. Pour the gin in and watch as the drink turns purple.
10190 104 St NW | (780) 540-0606
DOSC’s new summer cocktail menu features 11 craft cocktails curated by DOSC’s bartenders. Try the Ode to Ophelia (gin, violet, blueberry, lime, mint, cucumber, rose water and bitters) or the Maeflower (vodka, melon, lemon and rose) for something light and fruity. The Copper Bar Top is an ode to DOSC’s copper bar, and has a hint of metallic taste blended with 10 year brandy, Calvados, Curaco, gomme, lemon, egg white and bitters.
9902 109 St. NW
Fu’s cocktail list is full of niche Asian-inspired lineups. Apart from the flowery Cherry Blossom topped with sake, the Spiked Milk Tea with Boba is another successful combination of sugar and dreams. As sweet as it tastes, the rum and vodka kicks in after a few insatiable sips. The smooth texture makes it addictive, just like boba tea itself.
17412 111 Ave. NW | (780) 341-0682
Hansen Distillery’s newest release, Pink Josee, was made for patio drinking. The peach lemonade vodka is sweet poured over ice, or try the Pink Josee Signature Cocktail.
11806 Jasper Ave | (780) 760-1616
You may know Japonais for their delicious sushi and sashimi take-out, but next time you swing by this cozy bistro on Jasper Ave, don’t miss out their curated cocktail menu. The takara plum wine puts a sour fruitiness twist onto the roku gin based Meguroni. If you’re looking for something bright, try pairing your tempura with a flavour-rimmed Spiced Yuzu Mimosa.
10432 Jasper Ave Basement
If you’re looking for an after-dinner drink, Pablo is the place to go. Pablo’s lengthy list has a mix of classic recipes and summer specials, of which the Nada Slush stands out. The spiced rum, Root Beer Schnapps, fresh lemon juice and Maraschino juice are sweet. And, it comes topped with a piece of licorice. Need we say more?
10403 83 Ave NW | (780) 760-4747
The Chef’s Dinner has orange bitter and olive brine that neutralizes the flavour quite well. If you’re looking for a strong, serious drink with bittersweet taste, don’t miss out on the cynar and rye combination.
112 Maple Ridge Dr NW | (780) 466-2348
Located on the south west edge of St. Albert, The Ridge boasts a short, but tempting signature cocktail list. Order the Jungle Bird Punch featuring rum, Campari, pineapple, lime juice and soda.
10425 121 St NW | (780) 540-4800
Chefs at Shojo surely know how to work their magic with Japanese liquor. Just like the same-named anime, One Piece pairs better with a pirate fantasy life. The green-tea infused Takasago Umeshu (Japanese plum sake) brings out a herbal flavour and goes so well with the floral Goku gin.
11011 Jasper Avenue | (780) 705-1101
When you order the Rosemary Baby at Sodo, you get more than just a delicious cocktail — you get a show. The drink comes with a stick of rosemary resting in the glass with a smaller glass of green chartreuse on the side. The bartender then takes the stick of rosemary and lights it on fire before stirring and swirling it in the gin as flames surround the rosemary. The green chartreuse is then used to douse the flames.
100 – 21 Perron St., St. Albert | 587-290-3433
Visit Tryst for a Canadian twist on a Mexican classic. The Maple Margarita is a sweet mix of Cazadores Reposado Tequila, Triple Sec, maple syrup and lime.
8135 102 St NW | (780) 439-4442
Sure, you could order a mimosa with your brunch, but why not try something new? Under the High Wheel boasts a small cocktail list, but The Kopernikus is an original. This cocktail features Polish sweet grass vodka, organic apple juice and a splash of sour cherry syrup and fresh berries.
10132 100 St. NW | (780) 757-4100
Woodwork’s cocktail list is small, but mighty, and it’s difficult picking one drink. The bartender recommended the Petra, and immediately understood why it’s a crowd favourite. The cocktail has Blanco Tequila, Aperol, sumac, agave, lime and grapefruit, and is refreshing and light.
