Summer Sippin' Cocktail Crawl Highlights Hot Spots and Cold Beverages

It’s a hard-hitting mission: stroll up and down Roswell’s bustling Canton Street, test adult beverages from leading food and beverage enterprises, and convey the discoveries worldwide. Fortuitously, Visit Roswell recognized there was a dweller who could conquer this herculean task. Challenge accepted.

Summer Sippin’ is a yearly, months-long competition in which Roswell bars conceive a summer cocktail and, in some cases, alcohol-free beverages. Customers rate the concoctions 1 to 5 stars, and at the end of summer, the “Best Sips in Roswell” are declared.

While Roswell is replete with standout bars and restaurants, Bar Crawl USA acknowledges the walkability of Canton Street and conducts a yearly five-hour Summer Sippin’ crawl in downtown Roswell. With Mother Nature taking the “summer” part quite seriously, I knew I had to embrace the “sippin’” with corresponding robustness.

We commenced at North End Kitchen & Bar, already bustling just after 1 PM under the leadership of personable industry veteran Chad Barnicoat. The Island Haze delivered much-needed hydration and fruity refreshment. The coconut water rum, guava, banana liqueur, and mint created a tropical escape, as the cool mint was complemented by a trace of warmth from the cinnamon syrup.

Their neighbors, The Vick, boast one of the top neighborhood bar atmospheres on Canton Street. In a libation loop in which I was going to come and go to multiple enterprises, Kami Kamelon deserves an award for peak wordplay. The spicy tequila was perfectly equalized by a cool watermelon purée, giving this man with conviction impeccable poolside vibes. By George…or is that Boy George, they got it!

While stout beers aren’t intrinsically summer brews, Stout Brothers’ blend—the Stoutbucks Cinnamon Latte—delivered the cool goods on a southern, piping-hot day. The cold foam, chocolate sauce, and cinnamon resulted in a silky-smooth and satisfying dessert drink, set against the backdrop of one of metro Atlanta’s best draught lists.

Convenient for the booze cruisers, 1920 Tavern strategically set up a table in the epicenter of Canton Street, with the fittingly titled Canton Heat. Cucumber water and passion fruit supplied the relief, while spicy agave and tequila brought the adult flavor from this successful eatery.

Though we missed seeing Lola’s Burger and Tequila Bar’s beloved GM, Anna Porto, as she was enjoying the bright lights of Manhattan, ever-hustling bartender Mackensie was delivering many a Besos de Verano at light speed. Modestly tart and sweet with strawberries and coconut tequila, the upstairs patrons enjoyed this magical potion—ideal for continued enjoyment, especially for those who participate in the vicinity’s largest trivia prizes on Tuesdays.

Canton St. Social’s Tropic Like It’s Hot was pleasing to both the eyes and taste buds, with a colorful and delightful infusion of dragon fruit and coconut rum, topped with soda water, mint, and citrus.

While all participants in this action-packed taproom tourist dream promotion came up with creative monikers, Rock 'N Taco’s Watermelon Sugar in Fire was as precise in defining the artisanal mix as it was satisfying to the senses. The heat-and-sweet combo of fresh watermelon and jalapeño hit the spot at this beloved sports bar and premier music venue.

A tiki-inspired liquid indulgence, Low Tide was the signature pour at the Artillery Room. The subtle chili-habanero kick finished off the pineapple and citrus, getting rave reviews among the spirit enthusiasts at Gate City’s sister destination for crafted libations.

Slightly off Canton Street, Madrid Spanish Taverna delivered greatness with Islas y Versos, a rum-forward, shaken wonder. Light, citrusy, and exotic with lychee and lemongrass, it was warmly embraced by the liquor lovers I chatted with.

Zest came through with linguistically playful branding for their elixir of the afternoon: TokyOasis. What made the drink “zesty” was a blend of passion fruit, yuzu, and ginger beer, heightening the flavors of Japanese gin. It was a delightful and well-received summer refresher.

While this event featured the most walkable and synergistic part of town for the sip-and-stroll crowd, Summer Sippin’ is delighting afternoon imbibers and nightlife lovers alike. The event continues until August 19, with about 60 participating restaurants, including eight or so non-alcoholic drinks to choose from.

From sensational steakhouse Bask on the east side to praiseworthy newcomer I Taquero Mucho on the west end—and a variety of participants in the flourishing new Southern Post—opportunities abound for the night-out crowd to explore.

The mid-afternoon hours of the aforementioned event were not ideal for the Canton Street nighttime stars to shine. My next meal at Osteria Mattone will have to include their Riviera Spritz, with prosecco and rum—a patio-ready cocktail enjoyed across Italy on warm nights. Fittingly, Osteria features a hospitable and elegant courtyard.

Sister restaurant Table & Main, with an equally impressive terrace, offers the Pork Light Peach Sour, crafted with Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon and Montenegro.

Deep Roots features a Blushing Summer Spritz, with sparkling wine, watermelon, basil, and habanero soda lime. Just a notch off Canton Street, Chelo has already earned accolades as one of the premier Persian food destinations in the state. Their seasonal spirit-based drink gives patrons a choice of vodka, gin, or bourbon, blended with peach purée, lime juice, and agave.

Drink trekkers and suds seekers can chart their own mixology tour, not only along Canton Street, but throughout Roswell. After thorough research, I can assure you, whatever self-guided tour or tours you participate in will be well worth it. Don’t forget to invite me.