Staying hydrated is key during Atlanta’s notoriously long, brutal and sweaty summers. But there’s only so much boring tap water you can chug. Whether you opt for something fizzy, frozen or foamy, try quenching your thirst with one of the city’s coolest summer sips.
Montane Sparkling Water
Lovers of flavored fizzy waters, rejoice. This homegrown Georgia company released its fourthflavor, a refreshingly summer-appropriate Grapefruit Peach, just in time for the season’s hottest days. Sourced from a family-owned natural quartzite spring nestled in nearby Pine Mountain Range, these cheerily colored cans of the carbonated water are also available in original, cucumber lime, and Meyer lemon honeysuckle flavors. Enjoy on its own, or try adding a splash of the soda to your next gin and tonic or party punch. Montane is available at select Publix grocery stores as well as local shops and corner markets.
Golda Kombucha
Named for founder Melanie Wade’s 96-year-old grandmother—also the source of her recipe—Golda Kombucha now has a permanent brick-and-mortar taproom, Cultured South, in the city’s historic West End neighborhood along Atlanta BeltLine’s Westside Trail. The taproom features a kombucha tasting room, a development kitchen and a marketplace for fermented foods. The effervescent fermented tea is also available at Kroger and Whole Foods Markets.
Recess’ Froze
It’s not summer without frozé (frozen rosé), and you can get your fix—plus a kombucha margarita, a turmeric spritz and various non-alcoholic shakes, juices and tonic—at this healthy-ish stall in Krog Street Market.
King of Pops' Poptails
This perennial hot weather favorite combines the best of both worlds with its poptails—the brand’s fun-flavored popsicles dunked into booze. Try the Sun Burn, a tequila, pineapple, lime and honey tonic paired with a pineapple habanero pop. Find the poptails bar at Ponce City Market.
Victory's Jack and Coke Slushie
What’s better than Jack & Coke? A Jack & Coke slushie, available at the Decatur and Inman Park outposts of popular casual eatery, Victory Sandwich Bar.
Bon Ton's Hurricane
New Orleans knows a thing or two about surviving sweltering summers. Cool off in Midtown with Bon Ton Boil House’s signature rum-based hurricane at this Big Easy-meets-Vietnam seafood spot in Midtown. And don’t forget to ’gram it.
Frosted Duck L'Orange
This grown-up version of the beloved Atlanta classic, The Varsity’s Frosted Orange, is essentially a spiked and frozen orange creamsicle made with coconut milk, orange soda, vodka and orange flower water. Get it at The Painted Duck, a duckpin bowling alley in Atlanta’s industrial Westside.
Sweetwater's Tropical Lover
Yes, we know you love your 420, but don’t miss this Berliner Weisse with mango, passion fruit and guava from the city’s most well-known craft brewery. Bonus: 4.5-percent alcohol content makes this an easy sipper.
Freshed Iced Tumeric Matcha Latte
Stave off summer colds at SAMA Food for Balance with the anti-inflammatory benefits of turmeric and matcha’s powerful antioxidants, blended with vanilla almond "mylk" for a drink that’s as refreshing as it is healthy.
Trader Vic's Mai Tai
In recent years, contemporary riffs on classic Tiki drinks have taken craft cocktail bars by storm—but it all started at Trader Vic’s. In 1934 Vic “The Trader” Bergeron built a cozy little saloon in California called Hinky Dinks. After refining his skills as a bartender and learning about rums from around the world, Vic began serving simmering plates of island-style cuisine, and Trader Vic’s became one of America’s first fusion restaurant concepts. Inside the Hilton Atlanta, experience the historic institution and its long list of signature drinks, including the original Mai Tai.
