Local's Favorite Drinks for the Hot Weather

Now that 90 degree temperatures are the norm, people in Norcross are cooling down their fevered bodies and heated temperaments with their beverages of choice at their favorite watering holes. 

No doubt, water is the best bet in the heat; clear, clean, cool water – and lots of it.  But let’s be honest, water gets a bit boring after a while.

Of course, lemonade is always a good choice and a light, cool and refreshing summertime favorite, particularly homemade lemonade made with big, ripe lemons.  But there are a plethora of choices and favorites when it comes to hot weather refreshments and they’re as different as the people who drink them.

Take coffee, for example. 

“Coffee,” you ask?  Just who in their right mind would want a steaming, hot cup of coffee in this heat?  Well, a lot of people still have to have that morning kick-start that only a fresh brewed Cup o’ Joe provides - if just to clear away the morning “tar” in your throat and get that jolt of caffeine and sugar. 

Others, still in need of the caffeine and sugar – as well as that morning “tar” cleansing ritual – resort to a Coke.  Yep, we said “Coke.”

Whether Classic Coke or Diet, many people drink it every morning - first thing - especially during the heat of summer.  In fact – or in rumor, because you never really know with Coca-Cola - the makers of Coke were said to have actually “tested” Coke as a “morning drink” in the south some years back.  But marketing “Atlanta Holy Water” – as it use to be called in the 1890’s – as a breakfast beverage apparently didn’t bubble up too well.

So, back to the coffee phenom and the question; what to do during the smoldering hot months? 

“Simple,” according to Paige Prier of 45 South Café in Historic Norcross, “iced coffee, maybe with a shot.”

The shot can be an extra shot of espresso or even flavoring, like vanilla.

“I make a crème brûlée (coffee) that people around here really love,” the 45 South Café barista says proudly, adding that it is one of their most popular warm weather drinks.

However, 45 South Café chef Mike Baylot has a different favorite.

“I like the tea smoothies,” he says with a big smile. “We’ve got a variety of green teas and they all make very good smoothies in a lot of different flavors.”

However, down at Zapata Tacos and Tequila Bar, the most popular hot weather drink is still the old standard.

“Beer,” laughs bartender Daniel Zendejas, “Cold beer!”

Zendejas adds that a close second in popularity is their Margarita – on the rocks, not frozen.

Of course, true southerners will tell you that the best warm weather drink, by far, is the mint julep.  A careful mix of bourbon, sugar, crushed ice, spring water and a fresh mint made this libation a classic tradition long before Margaret Mitchell’s Rhett Butler told Scarlet O’Hara what he really thought of her.

Ironically, one of the best places to get a properly crafted mint julep, worthy of southern civility – and preparing a mint julep truly is a southern art form – is at Pitty Pat’s Porch in downtown Atlanta.  The legendary southern dining restaurant is based on the colorful character, Aunt “Pittypat” Hamilton, from Mitchell’s Gone With The Wind – known for her iconic lines in the motion picture, "Oh, dear, Yankees in Georgia! How did they ever get in?"

Perhaps Atlanta would have been sparred had someone just offered the Yankees a cool mint julep...or a cold beer.