March 29th, 2010 
One of my favorite pastimes is exploring the many restaurants that Chicago has to offer. I have dibbled and dabbled at some of the finest eateries and the yummiest greasy spoons. Along the way, I have stumbled upon the best cocktails ever mixed by man, or woman. My closest, male friends often tease me because my cocktails of choice must meet the F & F Criteria. They must be fruity. Or they must be frothy. I don’t do any drinks in between. Here is a list of my favorite Cocktails Around Chicago- so fabulous that they demand public acknowledgment. Here goes…
1. Samoan Girl Scout Cookie at Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club. I came across this concoction during a birthday dinner that I had at Kit Kat about five years ago. And, I have been a faithful follower ever since. Kit Kat has an extensive drink menu which includes nearly 100 specialty cocktails and martinis- so patrons are bound to overlook this little gem. It is a modeled after the actual “Samoa” Girl Scout Cookie and is flavored with chocolate, caramel, cream and vodka. My girlfriends and I make quarterly visits to Kit Kat for our favorite cookie! Trust me…it won’t disappoint.
Sushi Samba Rio in Chicago
2. Nina Fresa at Sushi Samba Rio. If you love fresh strawberries and if you love vodka then this cocktail is for you. Nina Fresa, affectionately named “The Nina” by my girls and I, is a blend of vodka, muddled strawberries, orange liqueur, lime and guava. This fruity concoction brilliantly conceals the taste of any alcohol. Don’t. Be. Deceived.
3. Key Lime Pie Martini at Lucky Strikes. Hands down, Lucky Strikes is the front runner of the Key Lime Pie Martini. (Yes, there are other bars that serve them). Unfortunately, I am not a professional mixologist and cannot discern the exact ingredients of this cocktail– I do know that the drink tastes of vodka, lime and crème and that the rim of the glass was dipped in graham cracker crumbs. It has the tart flavor of a key lime dessert, balanced by a bit of sweetness (it might have had simple syrup in it as well). The next time you swing by Lucky Strikes for a casual evening of bowling give this one a go.
4. Raspberry Margarita at La Cantina. La Cantina is a low key Mexican eatery located in the South Loop. They offer great drink specials every day of the week and a wide variety of margaritas- ranging from passion fruit and mango to raspberry and coconut. If you are ever on the prowl for a good, intensely flavored margarita, check this one out.
5. Peach Cobbler Martini at Chant. Chant is a casual, pan-asian restaurant located in Hyde Park. I first dined here on the
Chant in Chicago
day when I was officially sworn in as an attorney. Of course, I was ready to celebrate! My favorite dessert is peach cobbler and I was absolutely floored when I saw this martini listed on the menu. It is available with either rum or vodka and also has lime juice, sugar syrup, cinnamon and a fresh peach half in it. The Peach Cobbler Martini outshines any food item that Chant offers…it is to die for. Check out Chant on a Friday or Saturday evening when you can enjoy their live jazz music as well.
That concludes my list. Print it, hop in the car or on the El, pick up your buddies and enjoy! Fellas, I know that some of you may feel strange about sampling these seemingly “girlie” cocktails. I say, ask the bartender to serve it in a regular glass, sans the extra adornments and drink on!
I would love to hear of your favorite Cocktails Around Chicago!
Patrice, where’s your apple martini? Come on this must be your signature drink, judging by the rest of your dessert drink choices.
I love the Nina Fresa. Phenomenal summer drink. It is 9:30am, but I think I want to get one now. I could surely use it.
But, I will definitely try the raspberry margarita. Yums!
I want a leopard print pump rating for each drink. haha.
Wow I’m super excited to try these places! Especially Kit Kat! That place sounds like fun! 100 martini’s
Lucky strike sounds cool too! Thanks for the tips! 
All of these drinks sound yummy sis. I may have to make an extra trip to the Chi just to sample these spots!
Okay…this column officially makes me miss Chi. I definitely need to find some great cocktails like these in the DC area
And I also never got to go to Kit Kat! Grrr.