Beat the heat with fresh new beverages

Even before the calendar tells us it's summer, we can feel it. Bakersfield starts to heat up in spring, sending us to the nearest shade and looking for a cool beverage.

We reached out to local businesses in search of refreshing drinks to help you beat the heat and enjoy your day (or night).

Everything is cool right now at Memento Mori (2000 S. Union Ave.).

That's because the cevicheria and mezcal lounge just opened two months ago near Bakersfield Municipal Airport.

The space gives off "modernist cultural vibes" with a museum-grade art gallery, library and spacious lounge to relax while enjoying a drink, according to owner Dion Altamirano.

For a perfect summer drink, he recommends The Onyx. The decadent sweet cocktail was named for local artist Alicia Onyx, who creates the lounge's "La Malinche" and "Gold Wings" murals. It's made with Jamaica mezcal, coconut cream, vanilla and pineapple juice.

Having cocktails in the summer is about enjoying the moment and the flavors, whether on your own or with friends or family.

"The idea is to escape your daily routines and enjoy the small things life has to offer," he said.

Memento Mori will also offer mezcal tastings and pairings through the summer as well as mixology classes.

Temblor Brewing Co. (3200 Buck Owens Blvd., Suite 200) has been busy with some mixology of its own.

Long known for its selection of craft brews, the business has ventured into cocktails.

"Temblor Brewing has a great following of local craft beer and food enthusiasts, but not everyone drinks beer so we are looking forward to having something for those customers going forward," said Madi Caballero, Temblor's marketing and events director.

With an emphasis on quality craft ingredients, the brewery offers six signature cocktails as well as single mixer drinks.

Caballero's favorite is the margarita.

She said, "It’s a classic margarita made with agave, lime juice, triple sec, silver tequila and a flaky salt rim. It’s so refreshing!"

Along with the citrusy drink, Caballero believes customers will enjoy the Temblor Old Fashioned, Moscow mule and Buck's Bourbon Sweet Tea, which is made with lemonade, sweet iced tea and Old State Bourbon, a brand owned by Temblor's head brewer, Justin Hill.

The brewery plans to celebrate its foray into cocktails with a launch party on June 14 that will include music by Vince Galindo and another band to be announced.

Enjoying a chilled beverage while enjoying live music is an everyday occurrence at Locale Farm to Table (1727 18th St.)

Owner Heather Laganelli said customers enjoy the cold-pressed juices, champagne spritzers, Italian sodas and Arnold Palmer (iced tea and lemonade).

Although she enjoys the Italian soda with cream ("I don’t think there’s anything like it in town," she said), she also notes the popularity of muddled fruit beverages.

"There’s something about strawberry, lime and basil that I can’t get enough of."

Frescas, which change with the fruit of the season, are also a fresh pick.

"One of my favorite parts of living in Bakersfield is watermelon season and stone fruit season, which is among us (now). Berry season is one of my favorites as well."

Fruit is wonderful but when nothing but coffee will do, the key in summer is to go iced.

Covenant Coffee (1700 N. Chester Ave.) has a number of chilled customer favorites for the warmer months.

"A popular beverage during the summer is definitely the iced caramel and latte," chef Andrew Paparella shared in a text. "Simple but delicious. It's definitely a go-to for quite a few people."

The cold-brewed coffee, nitro cold brew caramel and white mocha blended drinks and peach pear mango smoothie are also popular.

Recently the coffeehouse revamped its menu, adding homemade soups and quiches alongside panini and other sandwiches, gourmet salads and in-house baked pastries.

And leave it to Tiki-Ko (1919 K St.) to offer a variety of options for summer.

The bartenders took inspiration from tiki historian Jeff "Beachbum" Berry for the new Designated Diver, a nonalcoholic drink made with passion fruit, vanilla syrup, fresh orange and lemon juices, and topped with soda water.

Also new for June is the Flamingo Kid, a blend of spiced rum, vodka, vanilla syrup, pineapple, fresh lemon juice and grenadine.

Landing on the permanent menu is the Margarita de Cthulhu, a special created by mixologist Belisario "Benny" Dena for Cinco de Mayo weekend.

Bar co-owner Roy Scarazzo said of the drink, "It’s the best margarita I’ve ever had, with silver tequila, agave, fresh lime and orange juice and a petite orange shrub liqueur, topped with an egg white and sea salt foam that give it a very beachy vibe."

A bestseller at Tiki-Ko and its sister bar The Sinking Ship during the summer months is the Shark Attack, a fun blended drink made with coconut cream, strawberry puree, pineapple, and fresh lime juices and vodka.

For Scarazzo, his summer pick needs to be "crisp and light."

"During the hotter months, I usually just go for a highball with one of the Japanese gins we carry with a bit of fresh lemon juice and fizzy water."