Summer of Soda

It isn’t just cocktails that are becoming more and more inventive – restaurants are offering nonalcoholic drinks that are just as delicious as their boozy counterparts. Whether you’re looking for a fun lunch sip or just want to take a night off from imbibing, here’s where to look for cool summer sodas and lemonades.

2 Sparrows makes fruity sodas like the Bird’s Nest, with raspberry, lemon, and juniper, and the Back Patio, with strawberry, basil, and balsamic. The restaurant also makes fresh lemonades that reflect the season, like blueberry sage lemonade.

Tavernita puts Spanish spins its on housemade sodas, and the menu includes White Grape, with white grape, rose water, and golden raisins, along with Ginger Chile Ale, with fresh ginger, guindilla peppers, and orange blossom honey.

Sandwich Me In’s soda flavors change daily, so you’ll have to visit to find out if the menu features housemade ginger soda, vanilla cola, or citrus soda.

Mercadito offers light and fruity refrescos, which are sodas made with fresh fruit, citrus, and soda water. The strawberry, mango, and lemon-lime flavors are perfect for quelling fiery salsa.

GT Fish & Oyster has a whole section devoted to lemonade, and includes The OG Johnny, made with strawberry, lemon, and ginger beer, and the Spicy Blueberry, with blueberry, jalapeno, cilantro, and lime.

Little Market Brasserie offers a variety of sodas that you can get spiked with a spirit or just get straight. Flavors include Apple Lavender, Orange Hibiscus Mint, and Cornflower Yuzu.

2 Sparrows|
553 West Diversey Parkway, Chicago
(773) 234-2320
Website

Tavernita
151 West Erie Street
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 274-1111
Website

Sandwich Me In
3037 North Clark Street, Chicago
(773) 348-3037
Website

Mercadito
108 West Kinzie Street, Chicago
(312) 329-9555
Website

GT Fish & Oyster
531 North Wells Street, Chicago
(312) 929-3501
Website

Little Market Brasserie
10 East Delaware Place, Chicago
(312) 640-8141
Website