Photo by Sean Rapoza
Shoryuken Ramen's new Psycho Melon Crusher frozen cocktail
Is "If You Like Piña Coladas" the headline of every article about frozen drinks ever written (since 1979)? Probably, but everything else I had sounded like I’d had a few too many. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, especially in light of what you’re about to discover on this list — a list which I implore you, in the interest of doing summer correctly, to think of as a "collect ‘em all" series. Behold ye these bright havens, oh frozen drink disciples of Richmond:
1. En Su Boca. ESB whips up blueberry, blackberry, strawberry, raspberry, jalapeño, and house margaritas, all from fresh fruit.
2. Sabai. This new Thai spot’s slinging Mai Tais over shaved ice. See our full preview here, complete with so many drink photos.
3. Havana 59. Sip classic margaritas, daiquiris and piña coladas on one of the upper decks; feel like a million bucks.
4. Saison Market. Right now it's got the OG lime daiquiri in its new frozen-drink machine; next week they’ll be making Negroni slushies for Negroni week, with $1 per drink benefiting charity. (And the gents of The Rogue Gentlemen are doing it next week, too!)
5. Shoryuken Ramen. The first frozen concoction to hit the Shoryuken bar: the Psycho Melon Crusher. Soju (Korean vodka, kind of), ginger, yuzu, fresh cucumber and watermelon. Whoa.Want more on Shoryuken's beverage program? Click away.
6. The Boathouse at Rocketts Landing. Lime daiquiri, piña colada, sunset over the James. Repeat until winter.
7. Conch Republic. Margs, piña coladas and daiquiris here are all optionally flavored with your choice of strawberry or mango purée.
8. Baja Bean. More flavored brain freezers, now in prickly pear, peach and strawberry.
9. Joy Garden. This Chinese joint has what I think of as the essential old-school frozen drink list: the requisite daiquiris (including banana), margaritas and coladas, plus The Tropical — which is a coconut-citrus rum punch — and the Love Potion, a peachy, tangy, multi-liquor extravaganza.
10. Pepe’s Mexican Restaurant. Another sighting of the elusive raspberry daiquiri can be had at Pepe’s, along with strawberry, and of course margaritas. Forever margaritas.
