10 Must-Try Summer Cocktails in Knoxville

We’ve been waiting for her all year, but now that she’s here, we desperately need to cool down 😳 Yes, we’re talking about summer in Knoxville, Tennessee! And nothing says summer in Knoxville like cooling down with some summer cocktails in Knoxville 😉 It’s officially time for you to find your perfect summer match – so we’ve rounded up our Top 10 Summer Cocktails in Knoxville. They’re totally drinkable, totally refreshing, and totally ready for you to enjoy! 

Take a look at these 10 delectable drinks (sporting everything from views to spice) and don’t wait another weekend to choose your flavor of the season ☀️

Some Must Try Summer Cocktails:

1.) Strawberry Mountain Mist
Five Thirty Lounge

First up is a light and spritz-y cocktail with a side of mountains and fire pit lounging! It’s no secret the Five Thirty Lounge sets the drink bar at mountain height, but this season they’re setting it at Mt. Le Conte height with their Strawberry Mountain Mist. This drink is made with tequila and bubbles so you can get that fizzy burn and feel nice and light – all as you lounge out and look out over the mountains!

2.) Empress Gin French 75
Radius Rooftop

Next up on our list is a sweet and classic gin with a colorful twist – a French 75 made with Empress Gin! The Radius rooftop on the Embassy Suites always feels elevated with their rooftop pool and cabanas overlooking the city, mountains, and even the Sunsphere! This season, we’re adding a splash of color by getting it made with Empress Gin so it gets a purple color to compliment your summer colored clothes! (PS. Want an overview of all 5 rooftop lounges in Downtown Knoxville? We gotchu right here.)

3.) Frossini
Brother Wolf

Your favorite childhood summer treat and adult drink have come together to create the ultimate midday refresher – the Frossini at Brother Wolf! The cool atmosphere in Brother Wolf is one of the best places to cool down during the week when the sun gets high! The Frossini is their seasonal Bellini – it’s the classic Bellini but frozen (ie. extra refreshing during these hot as hades summer months!).

4.) The Maude
Maple Hall

Summer is all about vibrant colors, bright flowers, a shining sun, blue water, and a nice purple drink in hand! The Maude at Maple Hall is another light and bubbly drink (do you see a pattern?😉😂). The elderflower and pomegranate taste is delicious and fruity, while the vodka keeps it light. It’s the perfect summer drink to have in hand through a round of bowling – or head upstairs and enjoy it outside on Maple Room’s patio.

5.) Paloma
Tern Club

Okay, there are a lot of drinks on this list (we may have had a little fun😂), so we’re giving you a fun classic on Happy Hour! Tern Club is a staple to the 100 Block of Gay St. There are few people who haven’t taken advantage of their hidden patio during the warmer months – and even fewer who haven’t indulged in their amazing Happy Hour! That is why drinking a cold Paloma on the Tern Club patio is an absolute must for you and your friends this season.

6.) The Chivo
Chivo

The margarita is like the fun, party sister to the classic paloma. And just like everyone needs a fun little sister in their life, everyone needs to try the Chivo from Chivo! Chivo is known for their tequila and tacos – especially on Tuesdays. The Chivo is their delicious house margarita. (If you’re feeling a little extra you can even add some flavor to it!)

7.) The Kingsman
Not Watson’s 

The cucumber may just be the best vegetable of them all. You can use it for skin care, summer salads, refreshing drinks, pretending to be Sharpay by the pool in High School Musical 2 – the list goes on and on. That’s why the gin-and-cucumber-heavy Kingsman at Not Watson’s may just be your new favorite drink of the season! It’s the perfect amount of liquor mixed with the refreshing feel and taste of cucumber! This is the drink to enjoy on their patio. (Though the best part is actually watching all the dogs enjoy cool summer nights in Market Square.😉)

8.) Peridot Cocktail
Bernadette’s Crystal Gardens

If you’re more into crystals than canines, then the Peridot Cocktail at Bernadette’s Crystal Gardens is the cucumber-gin drink for you! Bernadette’s is full of oversized crystals, gemstones, and welcoming attitudes. Seriously, if you haven’t been in there, it’s the perfect place to get some shade from the sun and a crystal themed drink. But weeee suggest ditching the shade and heading to the crystal rooftop garden they share with Pres Pub!

9.) Pink is the New Mimosa
Tupelo Honey

If you haven’t checked out my bio page yet (hellooo you totally should) you may not know I’m obsessed with pink. Like, dyed-my-entire-head obsessed with pink! So if you’re as colorful as me and looking for a good brunch beverage, Pink is the New Mimosa is the drink for you. It’s cool enough to chill you out after trekking through downtown to find a shady spot for brunch – but nice and light to start the day! And of course, it’s pink😍 Expect a cute & classic mimosa with just a little extra sweetness!

10.) Holly Golightly
Peter Kern Library

I know you were wondering if we were going to go there – and we did! You can’t sip around Knoxville without taking a trip to Knoxville’s OG speakeasy. When you see the red light and have the password you know you’re in for a night of absolutely delectable, tasty, and classy drinks! (We don’t want to give toooo much of the mystery away… so DM us on Instagram if you want to know how to find this spot and get in 😏) Per my last *drink* you know I’m obsessed with pink. So I’m not ashamed to admit that *pink* was the main reason I ordered the Holly Golightly for the first time. Now, though, I’m about ten Holly’s in and loving each and every one! It’s light, it’s fruity, it’s pink, it’s everything you could ever want in your dream summer drink.

Take Your Pick:

There’s about a bazillion more drinks we could put on this list. Cocktails from Simpl and Public House and PostModern and oh man, not to mention all of the local breweries – the list could literally go on and on. So now it’s your turn – let us know what summer drinks in Knoxville are your favorites!

Want to know when to snag these sips on a budget? Find our favorite Knoxville Happy Hours here!