Sip & Dip

Take respite from the heat and humidity at a watery watering hole this summer—scattered throughout the city are several boozy oases perfect for knocking some back by the pool (or the sea). Whether you’re working off last night’s hangover or working on tomorrow’s, check out some of Boston’s best spots to splish and splash into a glass below.

hojoko miami viceThe Verb’s resident Japanese tavern, Hojoko, shares a pool space with the trendy hotel, allowing diners the chance to lap it up in luxury. Headed up by Daren Swisher and Joe Cammarata, the bar team excels at funky, cold offerings with an in-house slushie machine at the ready. Try the Miami Vice, a daiquiri-meets-colada concoction. The pina part is built with Plantation Barbados rum, J. Wray & Nephew rum, pineapple, coconut and fluff, while the strawberry daiquiri portion is your traditional rum, lime and strawberry with a bit of chili added for spice. The two get blended together for a perfect summer potable.

Rooftop Pool at The Colonnade_ Strawberry DelightOver at the Colonnade, you can elevate your poolside sipping, literally—the Huntington Ave. hotel boasts the only outside rooftop pool in the city. As a non-guest you can gain admission for a fee, or wait until after 5:00pm to get in free. Once you’re there, order a Strawberry Delight, a simple and refreshing mix of Absolut vodka and strawberry puree. Have one, then take a quick dip to clear your head before round two (or three, or four).

Revere HotelThe rooftop pool at the Revere Hotel on Stuart Street is an indoor affair that gives off onto an open-air cabana area. The pool is heated but you can keep cool with bar manager Ben Buckley’s Sip ‘n’ Slide, a tropical mix of Medford rum, pineapple, lime and simple syrup. (Buckley also plans to roll out a line of boozy freeze pops in the near future—keep an eye out for those.)

Legal Harborside - Rooftop - Fun-Time Punch (c. Paul Saraceno)Craving air a bit brinier? Head to Legal Harborside, where the roof deck overlooks Boston Harbor and offers a lengthy slew of roof-exclusive cocktails. Get a jolt of their Iced Irish Coffee—Teeling Small Batch Irish whiskey, cold brew Mexican coffee, demerara sugar and cream—or go super summery with the Fun-Time Punch, a blend of Plantation 3 Star Rum, cognac, Citadelle gin and grape-hibiscus punch. Whatever you do, don’t miss out on the restaurant’s quartet of adult slushies: La Bomba (tequila base), Kentucky Sno-Cone (bourbon), All Saints and Blue Bols (both vodka).

Pier 6 PainkillerOn the other side of the Harbor, Pier 6 keeps things appropriately rummy by the docks with the Pier 6 Painkiller, made with Real McCoy 3 Year Rum, orange juice, pineapple juice, crème de coconut and nutmeg. Or toast to the city skyline with the Honey Don’t, a bar team original that features Avion Blanco tequila, honeydew melon puree, lime and soda.

One if by pool and two if by sea seems a little tame with this many tasty drinks on the docket. Summer is just beginning—dip your toe in as many spots as you like and lounge away with libation in hand.

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