1. Yes, the orange crush is ubiquitous at the beach. But in Delaware, the craze originated at The Starboard, which makes its popular version with Smirnoff Orange Vodka, triple sec, Sprite or soda water (your choice) and fresh-squeezed Florida orange juice. Warning: They go down easy.
2009 DE-1, Dewey Beach • 227-4600
2. You’d expect Fork + Flask at Nage to deliver the goods, and it does. Mixologist master Ginger Breneman pours “flask cocktails,” 375 milliliters of deliciousness. (Keep your Uber app handy or share with friends.) The most popular is the Passionfruit Margarita, which has tequila, passionfruit, lime and simple syrup. Don’t want a whole flask? Ask for the Fay-tini, a take on the classic cosmo named for frequent customer and local author Fay Jacobs. It’s a mix of blueberry vodka, fresh-squeezed lemon juice, Cointreau, pomegranate juice and a dash of simple syrup.
19730 Coastal Hwy., Rehoboth Beach • 226-2037
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The Bluecoast Buzz//Courtesy of SoDel Concepts |
3. At Bluecoast Seafood Grill + Raw Bar, ask for the Bluecoast Buzz, a refreshing mix of berry vodka, fresh lemon and soda water.
30115 Veterans Way, Rehoboth Beach • 278-7395
4. You’ll have fun just reading the cocktail menu at 208 Social, where selections include Gins & Roses and Hoodoo Night. The 2nd & Wilmington salutes the restaurant’s downtown address. It contains Bulleit Bourbon, Yzaguirre Reserva Dry Vermouth, Amaro and cherry liqueur.
208 Second St., Rehoboth Beach • 227-6700
5. Michy’s has created a purple passion with the Violet Margarita, a blend of fresh lime juice, agave nectar, violet liqueur, rosemary and lavender bitters. It’s poured into a glass with a curry-salt-sugar rim.
19287 Miller Rd., Rehoboth Beach • 227-0999
6. If you dare, try the Dewey Devil at Northbeach. The sweet but powerful concoction contains Cruzan 151 Rum, blackberry brandy, orange juice and a strawberry mix.
125 McKinley St., Dewey Beach • 227-3888
7. If you want spicy and sweet, try MezCali’s Pineapple Habanero Mezcalarita, which gets a kick from a habanero simple syrup.
205 Coastal Hwy., Dewey Beach • 260-9017
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Nalu’s Backscratcher//Photo by Ducky Sheetz |
8. Nalu has a cocktail that will scratch any itch. The Backscratcher is a heady mix of Captain Morgan Coconut Rum, blue curacao, banana liqueur and pineapple juice served with a wedge of pineapple and—what else?—a bamboo backscratcher.
1308 Coastal Hwy., Dewey Beach • 227-1449
9. Eden boasts a cocktail menu featuring house-made liqueurs, infusions and syrups. Try the Porterhouse, a marriage between the Forbidden Fruit martini (vodka infused with pineapple, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries) and a mojito (lime, mint and sugar-infused rum).
23 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth • 227-3330
10. Not all signature libations are served cold. For decades, The Back Porch Café has wowed guests with the Flaming Coffee, made with Kahlua and Galliano with nutmeg, cinnamon and coffee. It’s all set aflame tableside and then garnished with whipped cream.
59 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth • 227-3674