Melbourne’s Summer Just Met Its Match With Frosty Sips That Help Cool Off
Melbourne’s summer cocktail scene is entering peak refreshment mode—with citrus zaps that cut through the humidity, spritzes fizzing like your group chat notifications and fruity numbers begging for golden hour selfies.
From coastal winery twists to rooftop pickleball chasers and Dry Jan MVPs, these drinks are made for laneway hangs, tennis-tan hunts and accidental all-nighters.
Dive into our lineup and let these sips soundtrack your next sun-soaked adventure, laced with just enough zest to keep you thirsty.
Laura 75 at Laura, Pt. Leo Estate
3649 Frankston, Flinders Road, Merricks
Image Credit: Laura | Supplied
Laura’s ‘Laura 75’ is the kind of bubbly you order when the group chat has something to celebrate, even if it’s just “made it through the week”. No. 3 London Dry Gin, Cocchi Americano, lemon and sugar get the classic French 75 treatment before being hit with a champagne top-up for that crisp, high‑summer lift.
Cielo Cello at Ciao Cielo
115 Bay Street, Port Melbourne
Image Credit: Ciao Cielo | Supplied
Ciao Cielo’s ‘Cielo Cello’ drinks like an Amalfi sunset in a coupe—warm, zesty and just rich enough to feel a little bit naughty. Limoncello, Starward Two Fold Whisky, Nocello, honey and lemon come together in a honeyed, nutty, lemon-curd situation that begs to be sipped slowly under striped umbrellas.
Spritz Trio at Officina Gastronomica Italiana
532/534 Malvern Road, Prahran
Image Credit: OGI | Supplied
At Officina Gastronomica Italiana, summer eseentially translates to “spritz in the courtyard, always”. The Spritz Classico keeps it iconic with Aperol or Campari and Villa Chiopris Prosecco DOCG, while the Limoncello Spritz leans zesty holiday mode and the OGI Spritz—with St‑Germain and Mirco Mariotti pet‑nat bianco—is your floral, slightly wild card for long, chatty afternoons.
AO Spritzes at New Quarter
Ground Level, 79 Swan Street, Richmond
Image Credit: New Quarter | Supplied
New Quarter is embracing peak spritz season with an Australian Open–inspired menu made for summer drinking. Turning pre-match plans into a ritual, the Swan Street spot is serving a lineup designed for warm afternoons and post-tennis celebrations.
The Spritz Classico keeps things classic, combining Aperol or Campari with Villa Chiopris Prosecco DOCG for a crisp, bittersweet sip. For a brighter option, the Limoncello Spritz mixes Fratelli Brunello Limoncello with lively Prosecco, delivering a fresh citrus hit, while the OGI Spritz pairs floral St-Germain with Mirco Mariotti Pet Nat Bianco for a softer, aromatic take. Dont skip the chance to win Australian Open ground passes, too.
House Spritz Lunch at Firebird
223 High St, Windsor VIC 3181
Firebird’s House Spritz is less “one drink” and more “lock in 90 minutes of feeling like you’re at a backyard party hosted by your coolest friend”. As part of the $76 weekend lunch, it flows alongside oysters, skewers and loaded fried rice, bringing a bright, fizzy counter to all that smoky, charry goodness coming off the grill.
Sour Cherry Negroni at Studio Amaro
Image Credit: Studio Amaro | Supplied
Studio Amaro’s Sour Cherry Negroni is the red‑hued troublemaker of Chapel Street, all tart cherry and grown‑up bitterness. Archie Rose straight dry gin, Campari, Punt e Mes and sour cherry juice join forces for a punchy, ruby‑toned sip that’s equal parts aperitivo and late‑night confidant.
Lychee Spritz at Tokyo Tina
66A Chapel Street, Windsor
Image Credit: Tokyo Tina | Supplied
Tokyo Tina’s Lychee Spritz is the flirty one on the list—sweet on the nose, a little tart on the palate and dangerously smashable. Lychee umeshu, prosecco, plum bitters and soda come off like a grown‑up fruit cup, perfect between bao runs or before you tumble into a late‑night karaoke session.
Blood Orange & Vanilla Sour at Hanoi Hannah Vol. II
306 Glen Huntly Road, Elsternwick
Image Credit: Hanoi Hannah Vol. II | Supplied
The Blood Orange & Vanilla Sour at Hanoi Hannah Vol. II is summer in a coupe, complete with that cloud‑like egg‑white cap. Bacardi Carta, blood orange, lime and vanilla shake down into a sweet‑and‑sour number that hits like a creamsicle got a cocktail‑bar makeover.
Nude and Rude at The StandardX On Top
62 Rose Street, Fitzroy
Image Credit: On Top | Supplied
The StandardX rooftop, On Top, is serving Nude and Rude, and it feels tailor‑made for Fitzroy’s golden hour: slightly smoky, a little mysterious and just frothy enough to keep things playful. Mezcal, amaro, lemon, agave, bitters and a foamy top bring a smoky‑citrus profile that works whether you’re debriefing last night or lining up this one.
Mandarin Lemon Drop at Fern Bar & Dining
288 Little Collins Street, Melbourne CBD
Image Credit: Fern Bar & Dining | Supplied
Fern Bar’s Mandarin Lemon Drop is the kind of citrus hit that jolts you back to life after a long CBD day. Vodka, Cointreau, mandarin, mandarin liqueur and lemon juice land as a glossy, sherbet‑bright martini that tastes like sunshine in glassware.
Raspberry Royale (Non‑Alcoholic) at Hofbräuhaus
18-28 Market Lane, Melbourne CBD
Image Credit: Hofbräuhaus | Supplied
Hofbräuhaus’ Raspberry Royale proves Dry January doesn’t need to be dull, or dry in the fun department. Raspberry, lemon and pineapple stack into a jewel‑toned, alcohol‑free sipper that feels as festive as anything on the regular cocktail list.
Passionfruit Martini at The Douglas Club
472 Bourke Street, Melbourne CBD
The Douglas Club’s Passionfruit Martini is pure hotel‑bar glam with zero stuffiness. Ketel One vodka, vanilla, lime and passionfruit come through lush and silky, the kind of drink that makes a quick “after‑work” catch‑up mysteriously stretch to last call.
Between Sets at Hilton Little Queen Street's Rooftop Pickleball Court
18 Little Queen Street, Melbourne CBD
Image Credit: Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street | Supplied
Up on Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street’s rooftop pickleball court, Between Sets is the drink you earn after a few friendly rallies. Deadman’s Fingers coconut rum, lychee liqueur, pandan and lime read like a tropical dessert—only lighter, fresher and designed to be knocked back in the sun between games.
Maggie Wong at Yum Sing House
22 Sutherland Street, Melbourne CBD
Image Credit: Yum Sing House | Supplied
Yum Sing House’s Maggie Wong is main‑character energy encapsulated in cocktail form. V Vodka, Soho lychee liqueur, lemon and a fluffy lychee foam create a fragrant, silky sip that feels tailor‑made for belting out ballads in the karaoke rooms downstairs.
Main Image Credit: On Top | Supplied