There are few greater pleasures than savoring a fresh and summery cocktail—preferably with an outstanding view to go with it. From the hills of Amalfi to the shores of the French Riviera, these are a few of our favorite summertime properties, and the recipes for the festive cocktails they serve during the warm-weather season.
Wild Walk
Domaine de Murtoli, Corsica, France
Set on a sprawling 6,000-acre estate, these 20 stone houses sleep from two to 16 guests. Add to that private pools, a golf course, three restaurants and breathtaking sandy coves and you have one of Corsica’s most coveted private estates. The resort’s head bartender Valentin Catoire, recommends a refreshing gin elixir:
Wild Walk
Herb-infused gin, 1.7 oz.
Lemon juice, 5 oz.
Nepita (wild mint) syrup, .6 oz.
Roots bitter, 2 dashes
Top with herbal tonic
Clayoquot Club Cocktail
Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, British Columbia
For those whose idea of summer means mornings spent exploring the outdoors followed by lazy afternoons by the water, Clayoquot is ideal. Located in the heart of the Pacific Northwest, Clayoquot was a pioneer in the “glamping” movement and is still one of its best practitioners, offering unique wilderness experiences with sublime food and service in a gorgeous, rugged setting. Indagare loves the Ivanhoe Glass Lounge, where guests can enjoy an evening cocktail overlooking the estuary. Patrick Francis, the lead bartender and mixologist, recommends the Clayoquot Club Cocktail:
Clayoquot Club Cocktail
Gin, 1.5 oz.
Lemon Juice, .75 oz.
1 Egg White
Salmonberry Syrup, .75 oz.
Directions: Dry shake (no ice) ingredients to emulsify, add ice, shake, fine strain and serve straight up in a coupe glass.
For Salmonberry Syrup:
Sugar, 3/4 cup
Salmonberries (raspberries will work too), 1 1/2 cups
Directions: Stir together the sugar, 3/4 cup water and the salmonberries in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. When the first bubbles appear, reduce heat to medium-low and gently simmer 5 minutes. Let cool, then strain. Keeps up to 1 week, chilled.
“Clayoquot’s glass lounge is the resort’s prime gathering area for guests. The view is stunning and peaceful: floor-to-ceiling windows look out directly onto the estuary, creating the perfect spot to end a day full of adventures.” ~ Indagare Trip Designer Lizzie Eberhart
Related: Spotlight on Summer Family Travel
“Hollywood on the Lake”
Villa d’Este, Lake Como
One of the world’s most iconic hotels, Villa d’Este has become synonymous with old-world Italian glamour. For summer guests, a stay means boating on the lake, poolside relaxation and excellent alfresco dining, preferably with a cocktail in hand on Villa d’Este’s terrace. Barman Francesco Vanerio recommends the “Hollywood on the Lake” signature cocktail, which offers a “well-balanced flavor with a tangy acidity to provide a pleasant finish.”
“Hollywood on the Lake”
Tequila Patron Silver, 17 oz.
Bitter Campari, 8 oz
Fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice, 50 cl.
Juice from half a lime
Simple syrup to taste
Directions: Shake all the ingredients and serve on the rocks; garnish with a lime wedge and mint leaflet.
“Villa d’Este’s pebbled outdoor terrace transforms throughout the day on Lake Como. In the early morning, it’s an idyllic spot to enjoy a cappuccino and croissant while the lake awakens for the day with the odd motorboat cruising by. By nightfall, it’s a hot spot with live music and dancing.” ~ Indagare Operations Manager Rose Allen
Related: The World’s Best Beach Clubs
Coastal Pimm’s Cup
Meadowood, Napa Valley
While days in Napa may be spent wine tasting, the world-famous oenophile’s paradise welcomes cocktail enthusiasts, too. Meadowood resort, with its refined California luxury, is one of Indagare’s favorite hotels in the region thanks to its Restaurant at Meadowood, a destination in itself, and scenic 250-acre estate. After a day of tennis, golf, hiking and plenty of vino, we recommend taking in the surrounding landscape from the croquet lawn with this fruity cocktail:
Coastal Pimm’s Cup
Pimm’s #1, 1.5 oz
St. George Terroir Gin, .5 oz
Lemon Juice, .75 oz
Simple Syrup, .5 oz
1 dash Angostura Bitters
Ginger Beer, 1 oz
Directions: Add all ingredients except the ginger beer to an empty mixing glass, fill with a full amount of ice, seal it and shake several times. Unseal, leaving the mixture in the larger half of the shaker. Add the ginger beer to the mixture, swirl it around, and then pour into a collins glass. Garnish with cucumber slices and bay leaves.
Related: Lesser-Known Beach Retreats
Le Vercoste
Villa La Coste, Provence
Le Puy Sainte-Réparade—a sleepy village less than 10 miles from Aix-en-Provence—suddenly found itself on the map in 2011 with the opening of Château La Coste, a 600-acre wine estate whose hillsides hold not only vineyards but also a collection of stunning artworks. Today, with a world-class contemporary art museum and Michelin-starred dining, this elegant resort is a sophisticate’s paradise. The property’s mixologist, Hugo Pied, recommends a rose cocktail, which is best enjoyed in the shade of the pergolas.
Le Vercoste
Gin infused with fresh verbena, 1.3 oz
Grand vin rosé du Château La Coste 2017, 1.3 oz
Homemade bitters (made with white wine), .3 oz
Simple syrup, .3 oz
Directions: Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker, add some ice cubes and stir it.
Pour it inside a cognac glass with some leaves of fresh verbena.
“Villa la Coste has a casual bistro with beautiful alfresco pergolas that can be booked for special meals—an ideal place for a pre-dinner cocktail.” ~ Indagare Destinations Editor Emma Pierce
Related: Insiders’ Hamptons: Where to Go and What to Do This Summer
Infused Negroni sbagliato
Le Sirenuse, Amalfi Coast
There is perhaps no better way to embrace la dolce vita than on the storied hilltops of the Amalfi Coast in the summertime—and the iconic Sirenuse hotel is arguably the best place to do so. With sweeping views across the sea, the chic Champagne and Oyster Bar draws a sophisticated crowd, some of whom emerge from the privacy of their yachts for an aperitif here. The hotel’s barman, Robert Wimmer, recommends a special twist on a classic cocktail:
Infused Negroni sbagliato
1/3 Rosemary infused Bitter Campari
1/3 Red Vermouth Cocchi Torino
1/3 Prosecco
Basil leaf
Dehydrated orange slice
Related: The Top 10: Mother-Daughter Trip Ideas
Back Porch Bourbon Sipper
Taylor River Lodge, Colorado
With rustic-chic cabins, gorgeous scenery and endless outdoor activities, this 17-room property feels like a veritable adult summer camp. The luxurious countryside retreat is part of the adventured-focused hotel group, Eleven Experience, and the property’s distinct sense of place and homey atmosphere can be attributed to the dedicated owner, a passionate outdoorsman, and his wife, a skilled interior designer. Guests end their days of adventures with cocktails around the bonfire; we recommend this bourbon elixir:
Back Porch Bourbon Sipper
Woodford Reserve Bourbon, 2 oz
Lemon Juice, 1 oz
Rasberry Simple Syrup, 1 oz
Agave, .5oz
Directions: Stir in cocktail shaker, garnish with five mint leaves.
Related: 5 Ultimate Wilderness Vacations
Train to Pinhão
Six Senses Douro Valley, Portugal
The once-sleepy, under-the-radar Douro Valley was put on the map in 2015 when this exquisite property debuted, drawing wellness seekers, wine-lovers and culture hounds from around the world. This property flawlessly integrates Portuguese culture and tradition with modern amenities, making it a destination in itself. We recommend cooling down with this refreshing drink, named after a train to a nearby town, Pinhão, that passes directly in front of the property.
Train to Pinhão
Ferreirinha Brandy, 1.6 oz.
Orange juice, .5 oz.
Lemon juice, .5 oz.
Mandarin Leaf Syrup, 0.6 oz.
Triple Sec Dry Curaçao, 0.3 oz.
Le Bellini
Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, French Riviera
Nowhere epitomizes the glitz and glamour of summer on the Mediterranean quite like the French Riviera, where the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc has set the standard for seaside luxury. Between the excellent tennis club, the pool, spa and many scenic villages nearby (including Juan-Les-Pins, Cannes, Grasse and Monaco), this is the ultimate destination for relaxing in style. Head barman Christophe Lencioni recommends the house cocktail specialty, the Bellini (which was created by Giuseppe Cipriani in 1948 in the famous Harry’s Bar in Venice) to be enjoyed at the chic Bar Bellini, overlooking the sweep of ocean.
Le Bellini
Champagne
Peachtree liqueur
Peach juice
“A glamorous evening on the French Riviera should begin at Bar Bellini. The confines of the pale white room offer the perfect respite as the sun sets through tall glass doors and tuxedoed bartenders mix the perfect aperitif.” ~ Indagare Trip Designer Brittany Giroux
Related: The Top 10: Best Winter Cocktail Spots for a Fireside Drink
Veuve Clicquot Rich Rose Pom Pom
Ocean House, Rhode Island
Rhode Island’s Ocean House resort embodies the quintessential New England summer, with its Victorian-style design, prime beachfront location, subdued glamour and storied past (it opened in 1868 as playground for the East Coast elite). On a warm summer evening, a cocktail with views of the Atlantic is hard to beat. Try this Champagne elixir in the property’s secluded “Secret Garden”:
Veuve Clicquot Rich Rose Pom Pom
Veuve Clicquot Rick Rose Champagne
Pomegranate juice (to taste)
Lime
“You would never notice the Secret Garden unless you were looking for it. Located behind a wall of hedges, the alfresco speakeasy of sorts serves an impressive variety of champagnes with uninterrupted ocean views. Go for a glass of bubbly and a light bite before dinner on the terrace” ~ Indagare Integrated Content Editor Blair West
Related: Summer Escapes from New York: 5 Resorts Near the City
