A Cocktail in the Sun

As it gets hot outside, a young drunkymonkey's thoughts turn to cool refreshment. I've spent several recent weekends searching for what will likely become my go-to summer watering hole and cocktail, and so far the search has proven fruitful.

The first great summer find was the Spanish Trampoline at the Mirage's Rhumbar. YES. I will certainly return often to enjoy this fine establishment's delicious libations and lovely patio area.

The second great find is the Cucumber Gimlet, a delightful concoction you will find at T-bones Chophouse inside the Red Rock Casino, Resort and Spa. Comprised of four muddled cucumbers, Hendrick's gin, rock candy syrup and fresh lime juice, the cucumber gimlet isn't overly sweet and has a nice touch of citrus-y tartness. It also has a nice overall essence of cucumber, a flavor that works well in combination with the unique flavor of the Hendrick's gin -- unsurprising since Hendrick's' unique flavor is acquired through infusions of Bulgarian rose and, yes, cucumber. The cucumber gimlet is refreshing, light and crisp. My first occasion for the cocktail was a stop for pre-dinner drinks on the way to somewhere else (the much loved Hachi where, by the way, I very much enjoyed the Hyuuka, another perfectly good gin/cucumber concoction, but unwisely let the bartender talk me into trying the Sake-tini, a deplorable example of the dreaded whatever-tini craze. Putting crap in a martini glass --some sort of promotional vodka and sake flavoring in this case -- does not a martini make. But I digress.)

A return trip a few weeks later proved the cucumber gimlet to still be delicious, and possibly even more so when enjoyed in the afternoon sun on the T-bones patio. A spacious area overlooking the pool, the patio has plenty of comfy couches and chairs and laid-back atmosphere. If the thought of a cucumber gimlet doesn't quite float your boat, the T-bones bar also serves up a super booze-y, generously portioned Old Fashioned and a nice classic martini featuring the most delicious blue-cheese stuffed olives I've found in Vegas.