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A red and white frozen cocktail sits in a plastic cup on a table in front of a wall of ferns.
Sip, sip, hooray.
Shore Club

Killer Frozen Cocktails to Beat the Chicago Summer Heat

Where to find frosé, boozy sno-balls, and more icy delights

by Naomi Waxman and Ashok Selvam Updated
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Sip, sip, hooray.
| Shore Club
by Naomi Waxman and Ashok Selvam Updated

Warm summer weekends are in short supply in Chicago, and residents know it’s smart to bask in glorious weather while it lasts. High temperatures pair beautifully with frozen drinks, which are usually best imbibed with friends in the open air. From swanky rooftops to casual patios, tons of Chicago bars and restaurants offer boozy snow cones and icy blended cocktails all summer long. Peruse the map below for Eater Chicago’s selection of the hottest spots to cool down and drink up.

For updated information on coronavirus cases, please visit the city of Chicago’s COVID-19 dashboard. Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may still pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission. The latest CDC guidance is here; find a COVID-19 vaccination site here.

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Parson's Chicken & Fish

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Parson’s smash-hit negroni slushy is a staple for Chicago summers that ushered in a new wave of frozen cocktails. Other icy slush options include rum-based Dr. Coconut and citrusy Pisco Control. All are best imbibed on the restaurant’s expansive and popular patios. Parson’s has additional outposts in Logan Square, Lincoln Park, and West Town.

5721 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60660
(773) 654-1141
(773) 654-1141

Also featured in:

L&M Parkside

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This playful neighborhood restaurant in North Center from the owners of gourmet grocer L&M Fine Foods applies a lighthearted take to new American food, as well as a frozen booze for sweltering days: dubbed Orange Leaves, the shochu-based cocktail highlights Asian flavors including shochu, lemongrass, and shiso.

2201 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 825-2377
(773) 825-2377

Sidetrack

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One of Chicago’s most popular and well-known gay bars, Sidetrack is a sprawling hotspot in Northalsted, the neighborhood formerly known as Boystown. Locals and visitors beat a path to the bar for dancing, patio hangs, and frozen drinks like frozé, frozen margaritas, and Black Cherry Buzzes.

3349 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 477-9189
(773) 477-9189

Also featured in:

Mother's Ruin

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This New York export has quickly garnered an energetic fanbase, slinging crowd pleasers like fried chicken sandwiches and a great riff on Filet-O-Fish. It’s also known for its signature beverage: a rotating slushy du jour.

2943 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60618

Also featured in:

Maplewood Brewery & Distillery

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Perhaps best known for its popular beers, Maplewood in Logan Square is also a distillery and demonstrates a deep understanding of cocktails at its tasting room. The brand’s Lounge Dog Whiskey, for example, is displayed to great effect in a frozen Razzle Dazzle Frape, boosted by Hexe coffee, coconut milk, and raspberry puree.

2717 N Maplewood Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 270-1061
(773) 270-1061

Also featured in:

Estereo

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Latin American and Caribbean vibes permeate this breezy, energetic cocktail bar from Heisler Hospitality (also behind Sportsman’s Club, Queen Mary, and more) in Logan Square. Menu options typically include at least one frozen cocktail, such as summery rum-based concoction with coconut, pineapple, and lime.

2450 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Also featured in:

The Moonlighter

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Logan Square’s ultra-casual dog-friendly patio spot serves several frozen drinks that also raise money for charity. These include piña coladas ($1 from each sale goes to Women Unite! and partner charities) and frozen passion fruit margaritas ($1 from each sale in the month of August goes to the Chicago Abortion Fund).

3204 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 360-8896
(773) 360-8896

Also featured in:

Dos Urban Cantina

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Owned by a wife-and-husband chef team, Dos Urban is a creative modern Mexican restaurant with a gorgeous bar. Ownership has put great effort into their drink program, and one of the gems is a frozen mango margarita that tastes like real fruit. Artificial flavors are often a problem in the genre.

2829 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 661-6452
(773) 661-6452

Also featured in:

Shore Club

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Shore Club is a festive beachside oasis next to North Avenue Beach with a selection of eight frozen cocktails. Chilly creations include Spritzicles, Cold Fashioneds, and Frosé All Day. Curious types can try a little bit of everything with a frozen flight.

1603 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 635-8058
(312) 635-8058

Also featured in:

The Violet Hour

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Widely hailed as one of Chicago’s best cocktail bars, the Violet Hour is including some summery frozen options on its ever-changing menu. Recent creations include wine- and tequila-based Friesling and the Little Black Dress Too, made with rum and espresso.

1520 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 252-1500
(773) 252-1500

Also featured in:

Ina Mae Tavern & Packaged Goods

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Chef Brian Jupiter blends nostalgia for childhood summers with boozy adult beverages with customizable sno-balls at his bustling New Orleans-influenced restaurant. Patrons pick a flavor out of nine options (including bubble gum, kiwi, strawberry, and sweet mint), garnish with a drizzle of caramel sauce or condensed milk, and a dose of Hennessy, Tito’s, or Jim Beam.

1415 N Wood St, Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 360-8320
(773) 360-8320

Also featured in:

Avli River North

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This River North wing of modern Greek restaurant hit Avli Taverna features a duo of frozen beverages that aren’t available at other locations. Head to Wells Street to try Lemonade Chios, which includes Greek liqueur, and a Mediterranean spin on a strawberry margarita starring Greek honey and Kyklos Xinomavro red wine.

702 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 643-5656
(312) 643-5656

Also featured in:

Recess

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Enormous patio venue Recess is putting its own frozen spin on a familiar cocktail: the Aperol Freeze adds extra oomph to the popular spritz. Patrons can also try the Brain Freeze, made with tequila, pomegranate, and lime.

838 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 801-1181
(312) 801-1181

Also featured in:

Tree House Chicago

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Colorful River North restaurant and bar Tree House, located inside the former Old Crow Smokehouse, taps into tropical flavors with two frozen drinks: the Kiwi Kruiser, a green beverage with Midori and Casamigos Blanco, and a classic frosé with strawberry puree. The restaurant is owned by Samantha and Korina Sanchez, daughters of well-known Chicago restaurateur Sam Sanchez, board chair of the Illinois Restaurant Association.

149 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 477-3983
(312) 477-3983

Time Out Market Chicago

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The giant Fulton Market food hall features a rooftop bar where they pour proper cocktails (folks interested in beer are best served to remain on the first floor. The summer lineup includes two selections: Pool Toy (tequila, triple sec, pineapple juice, strawberry, lime) and 19th Hole (whiskey, hibiscus, sugar, lemon).

916 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 637-3888
(312) 637-3888

Also featured in:

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Saint Lou's Backyard

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A lot has changed over recent years at Saint Lou’s, as it now features a rotating food menu highlighting side projects from top Chicago chefs and neighboring cocktail bar MONEYGUN has taken over its dining room. Chicagoans seem to have welcomed the bar’s evolution, as they can still rely on its ever-popular frosé or try This Must Be the Place with mezcal and Campari.

664 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60661
(312) 600-0600
(312) 600-0600

Also featured in:

FitzGerald's

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Adored bar and music venue FitzGerald’s in suburban Berwyn is ready for a hot summer days with two icy drinks: rum-based frozen Golden Daiquiris and citrusy frozen palomas. Smart drinkers will seize the opportunity to try Babygold BBQ, the venue’s smoked meat operation from chef John Manion (El Che) starring excellent baby-back ribs, brisket, and pulled pork.

6615 Roosevelt Rd, Berwyn, IL 60402
(708) 788-2118
(708) 788-2118

Also featured in:

La Vaca Margarita Bar

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Frozen margaritas are among the season’s greatest pleasures, and La Vaca serves up one of the best in town, with flavors including tamarind, mango-guava, blackberry, and passion fruit. Unsurprisingly, the cool and boozy cocktails draw many to its boisterous patio in Pilsen and outpost in Lincoln Park, so come prepared for a crowd on weekends.

1160 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 829-1147
(312) 829-1147

Also featured in:

La Luna

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This quaint Mexican spot off 18th Street from Samantha Sanchez (her father is prominent bar owner Sam Sanchez, known for John Barleycorn and others). There’s a rotating drink menu, but the frozen selection as of summer 2022 is a hibiscus tepache cocktail.

1726 S Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 248-8957
(312) 248-8957

Also featured in:

14 Parish

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Tropical drinks get top billing at this popular Caribbean restaurant and bar in Hyde Park. Try the ocean-blue Mermaid Bathwater (dark rum, coconut rum, creme de coconut, pineapple, blue curacao).

1644 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL 60615
(312) 291-8379
(312) 291-8379

Also featured in:

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Parson's Chicken & Fish

5721 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60660

Parson’s smash-hit negroni slushy is a staple for Chicago summers that ushered in a new wave of frozen cocktails. Other icy slush options include rum-based Dr. Coconut and citrusy Pisco Control. All are best imbibed on the restaurant’s expansive and popular patios. Parson’s has additional outposts in Logan Square, Lincoln Park, and West Town.

5721 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60660
(773) 654-1141
(773) 654-1141

L&M Parkside

2201 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60618

This playful neighborhood restaurant in North Center from the owners of gourmet grocer L&M Fine Foods applies a lighthearted take to new American food, as well as a frozen booze for sweltering days: dubbed Orange Leaves, the shochu-based cocktail highlights Asian flavors including shochu, lemongrass, and shiso.

2201 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 825-2377
(773) 825-2377

Sidetrack

3349 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60657

One of Chicago’s most popular and well-known gay bars, Sidetrack is a sprawling hotspot in Northalsted, the neighborhood formerly known as Boystown. Locals and visitors beat a path to the bar for dancing, patio hangs, and frozen drinks like frozé, frozen margaritas, and Black Cherry Buzzes.

3349 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 477-9189
(773) 477-9189

Mother's Ruin

2943 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60618

This New York export has quickly garnered an energetic fanbase, slinging crowd pleasers like fried chicken sandwiches and a great riff on Filet-O-Fish. It’s also known for its signature beverage: a rotating slushy du jour.

2943 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60618

Maplewood Brewery & Distillery

2717 N Maplewood Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Perhaps best known for its popular beers, Maplewood in Logan Square is also a distillery and demonstrates a deep understanding of cocktails at its tasting room. The brand’s Lounge Dog Whiskey, for example, is displayed to great effect in a frozen Razzle Dazzle Frape, boosted by Hexe coffee, coconut milk, and raspberry puree.

2717 N Maplewood Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 270-1061
(773) 270-1061

Estereo

2450 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Latin American and Caribbean vibes permeate this breezy, energetic cocktail bar from Heisler Hospitality (also behind Sportsman’s Club, Queen Mary, and more) in Logan Square. Menu options typically include at least one frozen cocktail, such as summery rum-based concoction with coconut, pineapple, and lime.

2450 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

The Moonlighter

3204 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Logan Square’s ultra-casual dog-friendly patio spot serves several frozen drinks that also raise money for charity. These include piña coladas ($1 from each sale goes to Women Unite! and partner charities) and frozen passion fruit margaritas ($1 from each sale in the month of August goes to the Chicago Abortion Fund).

3204 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 360-8896
(773) 360-8896

Dos Urban Cantina

2829 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Owned by a wife-and-husband chef team, Dos Urban is a creative modern Mexican restaurant with a gorgeous bar. Ownership has put great effort into their drink program, and one of the gems is a frozen mango margarita that tastes like real fruit. Artificial flavors are often a problem in the genre.

2829 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 661-6452
(773) 661-6452

Shore Club

1603 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60610

Shore Club is a festive beachside oasis next to North Avenue Beach with a selection of eight frozen cocktails. Chilly creations include Spritzicles, Cold Fashioneds, and Frosé All Day. Curious types can try a little bit of everything with a frozen flight.

1603 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 635-8058
(312) 635-8058

The Violet Hour

1520 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Widely hailed as one of Chicago’s best cocktail bars, the Violet Hour is including some summery frozen options on its ever-changing menu. Recent creations include wine- and tequila-based Friesling and the Little Black Dress Too, made with rum and espresso.

1520 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 252-1500
(773) 252-1500

Ina Mae Tavern & Packaged Goods

1415 N Wood St, Chicago, IL 60622

Chef Brian Jupiter blends nostalgia for childhood summers with boozy adult beverages with customizable sno-balls at his bustling New Orleans-influenced restaurant. Patrons pick a flavor out of nine options (including bubble gum, kiwi, strawberry, and sweet mint), garnish with a drizzle of caramel sauce or condensed milk, and a dose of Hennessy, Tito’s, or Jim Beam.

1415 N Wood St, Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 360-8320
(773) 360-8320

Avli River North

702 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60654

This River North wing of modern Greek restaurant hit Avli Taverna features a duo of frozen beverages that aren’t available at other locations. Head to Wells Street to try Lemonade Chios, which includes Greek liqueur, and a Mediterranean spin on a strawberry margarita starring Greek honey and Kyklos Xinomavro red wine.

702 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 643-5656
(312) 643-5656

Recess

838 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60642

Enormous patio venue Recess is putting its own frozen spin on a familiar cocktail: the Aperol Freeze adds extra oomph to the popular spritz. Patrons can also try the Brain Freeze, made with tequila, pomegranate, and lime.

838 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 801-1181
(312) 801-1181

Tree House Chicago

149 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654

Colorful River North restaurant and bar Tree House, located inside the former Old Crow Smokehouse, taps into tropical flavors with two frozen drinks: the Kiwi Kruiser, a green beverage with Midori and Casamigos Blanco, and a classic frosé with strawberry puree. The restaurant is owned by Samantha and Korina Sanchez, daughters of well-known Chicago restaurateur Sam Sanchez, board chair of the Illinois Restaurant Association.

149 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 477-3983
(312) 477-3983

Time Out Market Chicago

916 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607

The giant Fulton Market food hall features a rooftop bar where they pour proper cocktails (folks interested in beer are best served to remain on the first floor. The summer lineup includes two selections: Pool Toy (tequila, triple sec, pineapple juice, strawberry, lime) and 19th Hole (whiskey, hibiscus, sugar, lemon).

916 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 637-3888
(312) 637-3888

Related Maps

Saint Lou's Backyard

664 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60661

A lot has changed over recent years at Saint Lou’s, as it now features a rotating food menu highlighting side projects from top Chicago chefs and neighboring cocktail bar MONEYGUN has taken over its dining room. Chicagoans seem to have welcomed the bar’s evolution, as they can still rely on its ever-popular frosé or try This Must Be the Place with mezcal and Campari.

664 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60661
(312) 600-0600
(312) 600-0600

FitzGerald's

6615 Roosevelt Rd, Berwyn, IL 60402

Adored bar and music venue FitzGerald’s in suburban Berwyn is ready for a hot summer days with two icy drinks: rum-based frozen Golden Daiquiris and citrusy frozen palomas. Smart drinkers will seize the opportunity to try Babygold BBQ, the venue’s smoked meat operation from chef John Manion (El Che) starring excellent baby-back ribs, brisket, and pulled pork.

6615 Roosevelt Rd, Berwyn, IL 60402
(708) 788-2118
(708) 788-2118

La Vaca Margarita Bar

1160 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608

Frozen margaritas are among the season’s greatest pleasures, and La Vaca serves up one of the best in town, with flavors including tamarind, mango-guava, blackberry, and passion fruit. Unsurprisingly, the cool and boozy cocktails draw many to its boisterous patio in Pilsen and outpost in Lincoln Park, so come prepared for a crowd on weekends.

1160 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 829-1147
(312) 829-1147

La Luna

1726 S Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60608

This quaint Mexican spot off 18th Street from Samantha Sanchez (her father is prominent bar owner Sam Sanchez, known for John Barleycorn and others). There’s a rotating drink menu, but the frozen selection as of summer 2022 is a hibiscus tepache cocktail.

1726 S Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 248-8957
(312) 248-8957

14 Parish

1644 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL 60615

Tropical drinks get top billing at this popular Caribbean restaurant and bar in Hyde Park. Try the ocean-blue Mermaid Bathwater (dark rum, coconut rum, creme de coconut, pineapple, blue curacao).

1644 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL 60615
(312) 291-8379
(312) 291-8379

Related Maps