Cool Spots for Frozen Cocktails In and Around Arlington, Virginia

Chill out and do some people watching with a frozen prickly pear margarita at Big Buns in Shirlington (Courtesy photo)

We’re at the tail end of the dog days of summer, which, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, runs through Aug. 11. Although the heat will most likely linger well into September, there’s no reason not to top off the season and chill out with any number of creative frozen cocktails—scroll on, coffee lovers and fruit fans—plus reliable classics such as coladas, daiquiris, margaritas and the almighty frosé . Cool your heels with these slushy sippers:

A frozen “pain killa” at Clare & Don’s Beach Shack in Falls Church (Courtesy photo)

Owned by Florida natives David and Rebecca Tax, the restaurant with beachside vibes and none of the annoying sand has no shortage of frozen beverages, including fresh watermelon margaritas, sandiacoladas (watermelon coladas) and pain killas (Myers dark rum, light rum and a frozen coconut/pineapple mixture topped with a sprinkle of nutmeg). Tip one back during District Trivia on Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m. or Drag Bingo on the third Sunday of the month at 6 p.m. Check the beachy cantina’s calendar for the live entertainment schedule. Bonus: Dogs are welcome on the patio. // 130 N. Washington St., Falls Church

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Wendy Buckley’s Clarendon wine bar knows its way around frozen drinks. Try a Frozen Aperol Spritz or pucker up for a Frozen Limoncello Spritz made with Pallini Limoncello, sparkling wine and lemonade. Of course there’s also the obligatory (for a wine bar) and delightfully refreshing Frozé, a mix of strawberry puree and rosé. Can’t decide? Ask for any of the frozen offerings as a swirl. If you’re feeling extra bubbly, you can top your drink of choice with a floater of prosecco. // 1025 N. Fillmore St., Arlington

Colada Shop’s “cafecito” in the Mosaic District will transport you to Havana (Photo courtesy of Colada Shop)

Tucked inside the Bloomie’s concept store at the Mosaic District, Colada Shop’s “cafecito” in the Mosaic District conjures the spirit of old Havana with Cuban mainstays such as empanadas, pastelitos and croquetas. On the beverage front, try a Margarita Nacional slushie (tequila, apricot liqueur, lime, apricot puree and agave) or a traditional pina colada. No seats left on the patio? You can take your drink to go. Mosaic District allows Sip & Stroll, which means you can enjoy your cocktail in the parks and on pedestrian walkways. Just steer clear of the parking areas. // 2920 District Ave., Unit 180, Fairfax

A Magic Milky Way shake at Big Buns (Courtesy photo)

Can’t decide whether to splurge on dessert or drinks? Go for both at this Best of Arlington-winning burger chain with locations in Ballston, McLean, Shirlington and Vienna. The whimsically decadent menu includes boozy slushies (try the prickly pear margarita), or the option of adding a shot of bourbon, Irish cream, spiced rum or whiskey to that hand-spun milkshake. (Which, incidentally, is a great place to dip your fries.) // 4401 Wilson Blvd. (Ballston); 4251 Campbell Ave. (Shirlington); 1330 Chain Bridge Road (McLean)

The rooftop bar at Wilson Hardware (Photo by Albert Ting)

For a sweet reward, head to this breezy Clarendon haunt, where the rooftop bar and garden terrace offer plenty of outdoor seating to make the most of the summer weather. If it’s hot out, cool off with the Frozen Espresso Martini, made with salted caramel vodka and cold brew coffee, or the Classic Pina Colada with white rum, coconut cream and pineapple juice. // 2915 Wilson Blvd., Arlington

Catch some rays, play a round of mini golf and enjoy frozen tiki drinks at Rhum Roost at The Perch in Tysons (Courtesy photo)

Take toasting to a new level at this 11th floor sky park topping Capital One Center in Tysons, where you can catch some rays while lifting a glass of frozen lemonade (boozy or not), a pina colada or a daiquiri with rum, lime and mango. Conveniently located alongside Perch Putt, an 18-hole mini golf course, Rhum Roost also turns out tiki drinks such as Rum Runners, Mai Tais and Zombies. The Perch also has giant chess boards, bocce ball, fire pits, porch swings, an outdoor amphitheater and the Sky Bark Pup Park. It’s a party. // 1805 Capital One Drive, 11th Floor, Tysons

Frozen strawberry margaritas at Palette 22 in the Village at Shirlington (Courtesy photo)

Located in the Village at Shirlington, this tapas-style restaurant serves small plates and cold drinks like frozen strawberry margaritas and orange crushes. Sip among the artists—painters, sculptors and jewelry-makers—who design and sell their wares on site, or take a drink to go (like Mosaic, the Village at Shirlington has a sip and stroll policy) and do a little window shopping. // 4053 Campbell Ave., Arlington

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Serving up piles of steamed Maryland blue crabs since 1979 in Arlington’s Fort Myer Heights neighborhood, Quarterdeck is a go-to destination for seafood, but that’s not all. You know what pairs beautifully with those spice-encrusted crustaceans? An icy drink. Try a frozen strawberry, raspberry or peach lemonade or margarita. Frozen daiquiris are offered in the same flavors, plus banana. The bar also presents specialty drinks like the rum-based Tarzan or Miami Vice (half strawberry daiquiri and half pina colada) for when you just can’t decide. Pro tip: Save room for the key lime pie. // 1200 Fort Myer Drive, Arlington

A guava mint margarita at Taco Bamba (Courtesy photo)

With nine locations in Northern Virginia, Victor Albisu’s beloved Mexican street food joint brings the margs. Say yes to a frozen Woodfire Pineapple and Mercado, made with tequila, strawberry, simple syrup and lime (available at all but the Falls Church location, which doesn’t do frozen drinks). The Ballston and Shirlington taquerias also blend up a tasty seasonal frozen guava and mint margarita. // Multiple locations

Sip a Frosé or a frozen Hurricane at Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar and Eatery in Court House (Courtesy photo)

A destination for New Orleans-style eats including fluffy house-made beignets and Muff-A-Lotta sandwiches, chef David Guas’ Big Easy eatery keeps the daiquiri machine spinning with two flavors that change with the seasons. Available now are the Bayou Frosé (vodka, strawberries, cherry juice, honey and rosé) and The Hurricane, a combo of locally distilled Thrasher’s rum, fruit juices and simple syrup. Both come in 12-ounce pours or 16-ounce pouches. // 1515 N. Courthouse Road, Arlington

A Frozen Waterloo (gin, watermelon, lemon, mint) at Ragtime in Arlington (Photo courtesy of Ragtime/Vintage Restaurant Group)

Visit the rooftop Skybar at this Little City watering hole, or any of its sister restaurants—William Jeffrey’s Tavern, Ragtime, Rhodeside Grill, Bear Branch Tavern—and take the edge off with a frozen Porch Pounder. For those who love a good surprise, the flavors change weekly, from bourbon smashes and rainbow pina coladas to the melon-tastic Frozen Waterloo (gin, fresh watermelon, lemon, sugar, mint). //132 W. Broad St., Falls Church

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