You’ve had a longstanding love affair with lemonade, beginning with that watered-down variety you hawked for 10 cents a cup from a table in your front yard. Later, in your college years, you mixed it up by introducing Minute Maid to Absolut.
Still looking for a main squeeze? You can enjoy alcoholic lemon- and citrus-flavored drinks at bars and restaurants around town. No flask required.
Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club
This spot’s new outdoor terrace–replete with a giant Buddha statue, tiki torches and water fountains–is candy for the eyes. And its Lemonhead Martini ($8.50), a drink named for the classic confection, is candy for the palate. One of 70 specialty martinis on the menu, this drink’s made with vodka, sugar, fresh lemon juice and a splash of lemon concentrate. A sugar-rimmed glass sweetens the deal. 3700 N. Halsted St., 773-525-1111.
Twisted Spoke
Talk about a history of getting people sloshed on citrus: This self-proclaimed “family biker bar” has served the Puckered Puss ($6.75) for 10 years. The extra-tart libation is made from fresh lemonade and vodka, and is served in a pint glass. Feeling daring? Order a Puckered Jack (the same thing, only with Jack Daniels) or a Puckered Jim (Beam, anyone?). 501 N. Ogden Ave. 312-666-1500; 3369 N. Clark St., 773-525-5300.
Castaways
This North Avenue Beach hangout delivers a real jolt with its Electric Lemonade ($6). A simple mix of lemonade and house vodka, it’s one of the more potent drinks out there. For a different kind of punch, try the Kentucky Lemonade ($6.75), a tall glass of Jim Beam Black combined with lemonade. Careful, or you might jump right out of your swim trunks. 1603 N. Lake Shore Drive, 312-275-9000.
The Leg Room
Enough of those wimpy lemon-drop shots; we’ll down an entire Lemon Drop Martini, thank you very much. This just-sour-enough drink combines citrus vodka, lime juice, triple sec and lemonade. It’ll set you back $12, but extra touches make it worthwhile: The drink comes garnished with a lemon slice, and lemon-flavored candies are dropped into the glass. 7 W. Division St., 312-337-2583.
The Globe Pub
With some 20 beers on draft, this Euro-style pub knows its hops. But it also boasts a strong vitamin C scene, thanks to its Global Solstice Lemonade ($6). More creative than the garden-variety cocktail, this Absolut Citron-enhanced lemonade features a splash of 7-Up, plus blueberry-pomegranate juice. Bartender Regan Alexander deserves a big squeeze for dreaming it up. 1934 W. Irving Park Rd., 773-871-3757.
Bar Louie
Things are rosier at Louie, thanks to its Lemon Louie ($7), made from pink lemonade and Bacardi Limon. Want to change citrus loyalties? Order the Key Lime ($7), an equally tangy mix of Smirnoff Vanilla, triple sec, amaretto, lime juice and cream, topped with a crumbled graham cracker. 226 W. Chicago Ave., 312-337-3313; check metro mix.com for other locations.
