More than 20 must-try summer cocktails and buckets at the Jersey Shore

Gabriela L. Laracca, Asbury Park Press
·5 min read

Being at the Jersey Shore is already a vacation for the senses: the salty air, the sand between your toes, the sun on your skin, the breeze billowing through your hair.

Add a chilled tropical cocktail on a hot summer day? True bliss.

Whether you're looking for margs or coladas, there are countless tiki bars, waterfront getaways and air-conditioned watering holes to wet your whistle.

Here are a few bars and restaurants to check out.

The Loaded Spoon in Freehold

Summery cocktails, like the Kiwis Big Adventure (left) and Passion Fruit Spritz, are served at The Loaded Spoon in Freehold.
Summery cocktails, like the Kiwis Big Adventure (left) and Passion Fruit Spritz, are served at The Loaded Spoon in Freehold.

This new restaurant in Freehold is located in the iPlay America amusement center, and there are several tasty concoctions rich with summer flavors.

Try Kiwis Big Adventure (with Papas Pilar Rum, Luxardo, kiwi and lime) or the Passion Fruit Spritz (with Prosecco, Rockey's, passion fruit and Kalo Lemon Lavender seltzer).

If you really want to bring the heat of summer, try Blood of a Dragon, with Tanteo Jalapeno Tequila, Vida Mezcal, dragon fruit, lime, yuzu and pineapple.

For something a little more delicate, but very much "femme fatale": To Kill A Rose (with Casamigos Blanco, Aperol, rose water, strawberry and lemon).

Go: 108 Schanck Road, Freehold; 732-813-8700, loaded-spoon.com.

Drifthouse in Sea Bright

A Driftin' Away from Drifthouse by David Burke in Sea Bright, featuring Hanson cucumber vodka, Hanson habanero vodka, watermelon puree and fresh lime.
A Driftin' Away from Drifthouse by David Burke in Sea Bright, featuring Hanson cucumber vodka, Hanson habanero vodka, watermelon puree and fresh lime.

What screams Summer 2023 more than a cocktail that dawns a stylish Barbie pink? And on brand, in a martini glass.

Try the Driftin' Away cocktail at Drifthouse in Sea Bright, featuring Hanson cucumber vodka, Hanson habanero vodka, watermelon puree and fresh lime.

It offers the flavors of the season, but packs a punch. Who could ask for a better cocktail just steps off the beach?

Go: 1485 Ocean Ave. North #2225, Sea Bright; 732-530-9760, drifthousedb.com.

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The GOAT in Union Beach

A Mell-old Fashioned (left) and a Gin It and Grin It from The GOAT in Union Beach.
A Mell-old Fashioned (left) and a Gin It and Grin It from The GOAT in Union Beach.

It's no secret that the Jersey Shore was a thriving hub of "spirited" activity during Prohibition.

So why wouldn't it be fitting to get a little old-fashioned?

Head on down to The GOAT in Union Beach for a modern take on a classic, called the Mell-old fashioned, with Four Roses Bourbon, chocolate bitters, sugar in the raw and ... a toasted marshmallow?

You read that right: s'mores, just in time for summer.

If you want something a little fruitier, but still giving that speakeasy vibe, try the Gin It and Grin It, with Hendricks gin, fresh berries, lemon juice, simple syrup and Rockey's botanical liqueur.

Go: 1411 Route 36, Union Beach; 732-264-5222, thegoatbydb.com.

Salt Creek Grille in Rumson

Cocktails from Salt Creek Grille in Rumson, like the (left to right) Staycation, Dockside Mojito and Summer Fever.
Cocktails from Salt Creek Grille in Rumson, like the (left to right) Staycation, Dockside Mojito and Summer Fever.

Tropical drinks, peaceful riverfront views and outdoor fire pits — that's the scene you'll find at Salt Creek Grille this summer.

If you're more of a homebody, try the Staycation cocktail, with locally owned and distilled Tillies vodka, Bacardi Light Rum, orange juice, pineapple juice, lemon juice and banana liqueur.

Or do you have that summer FOMO (fear of missing out), with an undying itch to get on the beach? Try the Summer Fever with Casamigos Blanco, muddled habanero, watermelon juice, lime juice and agave.

If you're like us and just want to sit and relax on a dock somewhere, try the Dockside Mojito, with muddled strawberry, mint and lime, Bacardi Light Rum, simple syrup, club soda and a spritz of coke.

Go: 4 Bingham Ave, Rumson; 732-933-9272, saltcreekgrille.com.

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Martell's Tiki Bar in Point Pleasant Beach

Drink on the beach at Martell's Tiki Bar in Point Pleasant Beach.
Drink on the beach at Martell's Tiki Bar in Point Pleasant Beach.

Truth be told, when you're at the Jersey Shore, you want to be on the beach.

The drink menu at Martell's is massive and includes cocktails like the Captain Teddy (Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, Malibu Coconut Rum and Myers's Dark Rum topped with orange juice and a splash of grenadine) and the frozen Caribbean Colada (a mix of piña colada and strawberry daquiris topped with Blue Curacao). Popular drinks include the Tiki Tea (Deep Eddy Iced Tea-flavored vodka with pink lemonade and raspberry, peach or mango flavor) and fresh-squeezed orange juice drinks, like Orange Crush (Stoli Orange Vodka, Triple Sec, orange juice and Sierra Mist).

Martell's also has rum buckets for those truly dedicated to their beach buzz, like the Island Time (with Bacardi Superior Rum, Bacardi Dragonberry Rum, banana liqueur, pineapple juice, orange juice and a splash of grenadine) or the Tropical Vibes (with Bacardi Superior Rum, Bacardi Tropical Rum, Blue Curacao, pineapple juice, sour, and topped with Starry soda).

If you're lucky, and the staff is not too busy, they'll even serve you right on the beach (you're free to take your drinks to their beach area). At night, enjoy live entertainment.

Go: 308 Boardwalk, Point Pleasant Beach; 732-892-0131. tikibar.com.

B2 Bistro + Bar in Red Bank

A Lychee-ta from B2 Bistro + Bar in Red Bank, featuring Teremana reposado, lychee puree, lime juice, simple syrup, ginger liqueur and a tahini rim.
A Lychee-ta from B2 Bistro + Bar in Red Bank, featuring Teremana reposado, lychee puree, lime juice, simple syrup, ginger liqueur and a tahini rim.

B2 Bistro + Bar is getting creative with the cocktail ingredients this summer.

Most tropical drinks include pineapple, orange, coconut — but one of B2's top-sellers features lychee.

Try the lychee-ta, with Teremana reposado, lychee puree, lime juice, simple syrup, ginger liqueur and a tahini rim.

If you're looking for something different, try the cucumber spritz with Tito's vodka, Asbury gin, cucumber juice, lime juice, simple syrup and sparkling wine.

Go: 141 Shrewsbury Ave., Red Bank; 732-268-8555, b2bistro.com/red-bank.

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Teak Restaurant in Red Bank

A pineapple jalapeno margarita from Teak Restaurant in Red Bank, featuring Tanteo jalapeno tequila, pineapple juice, agave and lime.
A pineapple jalapeno margarita from Teak Restaurant in Red Bank, featuring Tanteo jalapeno tequila, pineapple juice, agave and lime.

Sushi and margaritas? Perfect.

At Teak Restaurant in Red Bank, try the pineapple jalapeno margarita — because we couldn't possibly make a cocktails list without including a tropical marg.

The drink features Tanteo jalapeno tequila, pineapple juice, agave and lime for a sweet, spicy, simple summer sip that's sure to please.

Go: 64 Monmouth St, Red Bank; 732-747-5775, teakrestaurant.com.

The Old Causeway in Manahawkin

An assortment of summer specialty cocktails from The Old Causeway Steak & Oyster House in Manahawkin.
An assortment of summer specialty cocktails from The Old Causeway Steak & Oyster House in Manahawkin.

This one made us say "yum," so it's aptly named.

Paired with raw bar classics like oysters on the half shell, or any of the restaurant's other nautical or steak dishes, try the Blueberry Yum Yum (with local blueberry lemonade, Brockman's gin and fresh blueberries).

If you like sippin' sangria during the warmer months, try the Summer Night Sangria (with white wine, fresh peaches and blueberries).

For something a little more tropical, try the 3 Hour Tour (with Brinkley's coconut rum and fresh ginger); for a classic with a twist, the Brazilian cosmo (a fruity cosmopolitan made with mango vodka).

Go: 1201 East Bay Ave., Manahawkin; 609-488-1327, oldcauseway.com.

Gabriela L. Laracca joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey in 2021 and eagerly brings her passion for cuisine and culture to our readers. Send restaurant tips to glaracca@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Jersey Shore summer cocktails to try at bars and restaurants