Charleston’s finest frozen cocktails

With heat indexes spiking into the triple digits, + humidity that feels a little like strolling through warm milk, it’s hard to maintain a good dose of chill. From now through August, the feverish temperatures throw us all into a bit of a swelter.

So how do Charlestonians cope with the dog days of the Lowcountry? With plenty of frigid central air, long days in the waves, and cocktails blended with ice. 🍹Stop + drink the frosé, we say.

In honor of National Daiquiri Day, we took to our social channels to ask locals which blended beverages keep them cool during the sizzling summer months. Thanks to the growing, innovative cocktail scene in the Holy City– we weren’t short on responses.

Check out a few of the favored frozen refreshments around town. Then select your libation of choice, dedicating it to the delicious daiquiri. (And remember– always drink responsibly).

Frozen Gin + Tonic | Photo by @your.attention.please

🍹 Frozen Gin + Tonic
Made with Jack Rudy Cocktail Co. classic tonic syrup
💰 $9
📍 Leon’s Oyster Shop | 698 King St.

Gamechanger | Photo by @charlestonfoodist

🍹 Gamechanger
Made with gold Caribbean rum, spiced Caribbean rum, orange + pineapple juice, cream of coconut, + a dash of fresh nutmeg
💰 $8- $10
📍 Home Team BBQ | locations vary

The Mermaid Trap | Photo by @south_seas_oasis

🍹 The Mermaid Trap
Made with white rum, pineapple + orange juice, cream of coconut, +
mango purée
💰 $10
📍 South Seas Oasis | 23 Ann St.

The Man-go Chill | Photo by @lewisbarbecue

🍹 Man-go Chill
Made with rum, coconut, lime, + a mango purée drizzle
💰$8
📍 Lewis Barbecue | 464 North Nassau St.

Frozen Screwdriver | Photo by @aloadofcraft

Frozen Screwdriver | Photo by @aloadofcraft

🍹 Frozen Screwdriver
Made with premium freshly squeezed OJ (Pro tip: add a Grand Marnier floater for $2)
💰 $7
📍 Taco Boy | locations vary

Frosé at The Skinny Dip | Photo by @samjoking_

🍹 Frosé
The most basic… frozen rosé
💰 $10+
📍 The Skinnydip | 345 King St.

Thirsty for more? Sip your way through the city with these other brilliantly blended beverages:

🍹 Pina Colada
If you like getting caught in the rain… rum, lime, pineapple, + coconut
💰 $9
📍 The Getaway | 541 King St.

🍹 El Satanico
Made with Blanco tequila, yellow chartreuse, pineapple vinegar, + tepache
💰 $11
📍 Minero | 153B East Bay St.

🍹 Spiked Shakes
📍 Rutledge Cab Co. | 1300 Rutledge Ave.
💰 $12
Choose from the Frozen Siberian (espresso vodka + Kahlua coffee liqueur), the Dreamsicle (Stoli O + Cointreau), the Rootbeer Shake (Jagermeister + Galliano liqueur), the Bourbon Peach Shake (Buffalo Trace + peach schnapps) or the Rutledge Russian (Stoli vanilla + Godiva chocolate liqueur)

📍Sesame Burgers and Beer | Locations in West Ashley, N. Charleston, + Mt. Pleasant
💰 $8
Choose from a variety of adult milkshakes such as Girl Scout Cookie (with peppermint schnapps, oreo cookies), Key Lime Pie (vanilla vodka, coconut rum, key lime juice, graham crackers), + White Russian (featuring kahlua + vodka)

🍹 Frozen Sidecar
Made with pineapple, coconut, orange juice, Cruzan 151, + dark rum
💰 $7- $10
📍 450 Pizza Joint | 2213-B Middle St., Sullivan’s Island

To be honest, I don’t understand folks who say they moved to Charleston for the weather. My Mid-Atlantic blood was not boiled enough for the hotter months of the South. It’s no wonder that we are such a spirited city.

What’s your take on Charleston summers? Love them? Dread them? What local blended beverages do you indulge in when the weather turns above-tropic? Let me know in the comments below.

– April, Digital Media Intern