Bakersfield Life

Splash of summer: When the heat is on, cool down with one of these local libations

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Every year, Bakersfield braces for it — another sizzling summer.
To beat those inevitable, 100-plus-degree days in store for us, you can: run (to the coast), hide (indoors with the A/C) or drink?
Bakersfield Life recently went on a “Summer Sips” exploration, gathering up some of the best cocktail concoctions found on local drink menus.
These beverages are sure to cool you off and just might make another baking, Bakersfield summer a bit more bearable.
Use the recipes below to make a “Summer Sip” for yourself.
Don’t want to play bartender? No problem. Just venture out to one of these welcoming watering holes, belly up to the bar and select your favorite “Summer Sip” served with a smile!
The folks at Mama Roomba, Tilted Kilt, Sandrini’s and Maxwell’s all report that summer-like cocktail sales are already on the rise — it’s just that time of year.
“We have noticed people are ordering more of our summertime drinks now that it’s hotter,” said Victor Casas Sanchez, owner of Mama Roomba, a quaint, Caribbean-style restaurant at the corner of 18th Street and Wall Street Alley in downtown Bakersfield. “They’re looking for something refreshing.”
And while an ice cold beer might be the standard sip of choice at a pub and eatery like the Tilted Kilt, there are other summer favorites gaining popularity at the Scottish-themed establishment on Calloway Drive in northwest Bakersfield as well.
“Any drink that is cold and refreshing, whether it is one of our 30 beers or a TK signature drink,” said Ian Helper, Tilted Kilt general manager and co-owner, of the pub’s typical summer drink pattern. “We have also noticed more people sitting on the patio taking advantage of the summer atmosphere.”
During the summer at Sandrini’s on Eye Street, customers come into the restaurant/bar’s cozy atmosphere to escape the heat, meet up with friends and imbibe something cool.
“We do get more orders for tropical drinks in the summer,” said Casey Muir, a bartender at Sandrini’s. “People definitely duck in here to get out of the heat.”
While over at Maxwell’s, tucked away on 17th Place, the unique, mahogany, horseshoe-shaped bar provides patrons a chat-friendly environment as they partake of some “Summer Sips.”  Perfect refreshment to enjoy before heading into the dining area for a delectable dinner and one of owner Terry Maxwell’s famous, to-die-for desserts!

“We’ve got several drinks that I could say are for summer,” said co-owner Paula Maxwell. “They are truly delicious and they’re served in our fun, little bar.”
If that’s not enough to draw in the summertime crowds, there’s one more feature at Maxwell’s sure to please everyone:
“We have really good air-conditioning,” Maxwell said.
SUMMER SIPS RECIPES
Mama Roomba
1814 Eye St.
661-322-6262
MAMA ROOMBA MOJITIO
Ingredients:
5 to 6 mint leaves
Ice (crushed or regular)
3 oz. soju (a Korean liqueur)
½ oz. simple syrup (sugar water) or 1 teaspoon of sugar
half of a lime (to be juiced)
Club soda
Directions: Put small amount of ice into a 12 oz. glass, then mash 4 to 5 mint leaves into the ice. Pour in the soju, followed by the simple syrup and lime juice. Fill the rest of the glass with ice. Add soda until glass is full. Garnish with remaining mint.
T.L. Maxwell’s Restaurant & Bar
1421 17th Place
661-323-6889
TWISTED COSMO
Ingredients:
1¼ oz. Grey Goose L’Orange Vodka
1¼ oz. Absolut Vanilla Vodka
½ oz. triple sec
1½ oz. cranberry juice
1½ oz. lime juice
Directions: Place all ingredients into a shaker and shake. Serve in a martini glass with a twist of lime.

Sandrini’s Restaurant & Bar
1918 Eye St.
661-322-8900
PLANTER’S PUNCH
Ingredients:
3 oz. Captain Morgan rum
2 oz. orange juice
1 oz. pineapple juice
Splash of grenadine
Directions: Mix all ingredients; serve over ice in a pint glass. Garnish with a lime slice and a cherry.

Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery
2900 Calloway Drive
661-587-6563
CELTIC CRUSH
Ingredients:
1¼ oz. of Three Olives Orange Vodka
¾ oz. peach schnapps
½ oz. triple sec
Directions: Place all ingredients in a glass with ice. Fill the rest of the glass with equal parts of orange juice, add sweet and sour mix. You can also build the drink in a shaker and pour the mixture into a glass of ice, then adding the orange juice and sweet and sour mix.