By Katie Vaughn | Photo courtesy Travel Wisconsin
For a peak summertime pairing, combine one of the city’s rooftop bars with a delicious cocktail inspired by the setting. At Lake Vista Café, sit alongside the beautiful rooftop gardens at the Monona Terrace, and watch the sun lowering over Lake Monona while sipping on a Vista Sunset, made with tequila and pineapple and cranberry juices. For a dose of nostalgia, head to Camp Trippalindee on the seventh floor of the Graduate hotel on Langdon Street. Inspired by 1980s camp movies, the rooftop bar brings old-school summer vibes along with views of downtown Madison. Ask for Bug Juice, one of the bar’s boozy Capris featuring rum, coconut, blue curaçao, and pineapple and lime juices. At The Perch at Mint Mark — a newcomer to the rooftop bar scene — the sixth-floor tiki-style lounge pairs perfectly with the Mint Mark Sangrita, with tequila, yellow bell pepper, mango, housemade ginger syrup, citrus and chili. Nearby on the eighth floor of the Moxy Hotel, Ático Lounge boasts a fun pink interior plus un-toppable views of the East Wash area. Color coordinate with the Bubblegum Hop, made with Hubba Bubba-infused rum, yellow chartreuse and lemon and lime juices, and topped with a spray of absinthe and a blown bubble of gum. And at the glamorous Eno Vino Downtown, on the 10th floor of the AC Hotel, ordering Always Overdressed — a combination of vodka, St. Germain, lavender, lemon and sparkling rosé — will never go out of style. The drink is almost as gorgeous as the bar’s Capitol and lake views.
