Best Bites: These 8 Drinks and Desserts Will Save Your Sanity This Summer

Summer means fun beach parties and excursions to places in your bucket lists, but if you're staying in the city, it could also mean dizzy spells and frustration with the crazy heat. This is especially true for the commuter, for the employee who has to walk to get from one building to another, or really, for anyone who wishes he were somewhere else other than the merciless heat dump that is the city. A cold frappe or a quick soft-serve is the ideal companion these days, but if you're looking for something more extraordinary, then here are 8 drinks and desserts you need to try this summer:


1. Salted Egg Caramel Parfait (PhP220) from Le Petit Soufflé


Salted caramel has just gotten a few notches higher with Le Petit Soufflé's Salted Egg Caramel Parfait. If you think this fad is dead, think again—chefs Miko Aspiras and Kristine Lotilla of Scout’s Honor fame haven't spent all their creative juices and bring to us yet another rave-worthy creation. Here, vanilla custard swirls about with salted duck egg-flavored custard, then jazzed up by peanut brittle, almond dacquoise, choco pearls, and chocolate-dipped cookie sticks. The result is an addictive dessert you will never get tired of spooning into.

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Le Petit Soufflé
3/F Century City Mall, Kalayaan Ave., Poblacion, Makati City
(02)886.3056


2. Doublemint Sago’t Gulaman (PhP110) from Simple Lang

Bubble gum in your drink? Why not, as long you don't choke on it! Simple Lang takes the refreshing flavors of Juicy Fruit Doublemint and mixes it into the classic Pinoy drink, sago't gulaman. The end result is the Doublemint Sago't Gulaman, a delicious summery beverage that’s minty and sweet, perfect for beating the sweltering heat. Who could have thought of such a simple yet brilliant concept other than this aptly-named restaurant?

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Simple Lang
Ayala Triangle Walkways, Makati City


3. Apple Basil Smoothie (PhP165) from Socrates’ Secret

If you find yourself spending a family weekend in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, head over to Socrates' Secret in Greenfield City and try their Apple Basil Smoothie.  I love basil in my pasta, but never did I imagine it would work so well in a drink. I've always liked apple shakes because of the way it retains some texture, but this Mediterranean restaurant made me realize how better is with a minty finish.

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Socrates' Secret
Unit 9 and 10, G/F Laguna Central Bldg., Greenfield City, Sta. Rosa, Laguna


4. Cucumber Mint Cooler (PhP95) from Oliva Bistro Café

There’s nothing better than an invigorating minty drink to keep your head cool this summer, and if you’re looking for a well-made one, drop by Oliva Bistro Café and order the Cucumber Mint Cooler. Each sip refreshes the palate and the body—I swear, I think I enjoy cucumber more when it’s in liquefied form. Trust me, you’d be sipping into this glass so fast, you wouldn’t notice it’s gone after a few seconds.


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Oliva Bistro Café
Marcos Highway Branch
#8010 Marcos Highway Santolan, Pasig City
Telefax: 02.631.6309

Visayas Avenue Branch
Unit 101 Ground Floor, #77 Visayas Avenue, Quezon City
Telefax: 02.990.5342



5. Jack S’mores Dreamshake (PhP185) from Egg-It Waffle Shop

If you love booze and shakes, check out this humble shop in Kapitolyo because Jay Isais of Egg-It Waffle Shop has combined them for you in his prided creation: the Jack S’mores Dreamshake. Here, milk, cream, chocolate syrup, crushed chocolate, choco chips, roasted marshmallow, and a shot of Jack Daniel’s whiskey combine together in an ultimately refreshing beverage. Who doesn’t like a laced innocent-looking drink?


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Egg-It Waffle Shop
6F San Rafael St. cor. Sta. Rosa St., Kapitolyo, Pasig City
+63915.269.6424


6. Me Lychee ice cream (PhP350/pint) from Up in the Clouds Ice Cream

The Next Big Food Entrepreneur finalist, Up in the Clouds Ice Cream, has started selling their products by the pint—to the delight of its fans and well, ice cream lovers in general. Try the Me Lychee, one of their new flavors, a refreshing concoction made of blended fruit. It was not too sweet and tasted like real lychees; each bite reflects how this product was lovingly made. I couldn’t think of a more summery ice cream flavor than this.


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Up in the Clouds Ice Cream
0922.806.6412


7. Good Shepherd Ube Shake (PhP138) from Red Baron Ribs & Steaks

The Baguio pasalubong staple finds itself in beverage form with Red Baron’s Good Shepherd Ube Shake. I love it when someone who just went to Baguio takes home several jars for us—I’m so addicted to ube that I could polish off a jar on my own. Topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, the blended ube jam is so rich and creamy, it’s as if the whole thing is ice cream.


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Red Baron Ribs & Steaks
143 D. Tuazon cor. Calamba Street, Brgy. Lourdes, Quezon City
357 Severino Reyes St. Corner Bambang, Manila
02.354.5970/0905.400.2138 


8. Summer Berry Panna Cotta Frappuccino (PhP170, tall) from Starbucks

Finally, a Starbucks drink I am genuinely enthusiastic about! This summer, the coffee chain releases their Panna Cotta Frappuccinos. I loved the Summer Berry Panna Cotta, a fine blend of mixed berries with a layer of Italian pudding underneath, then finished with whipped cream and supposedly, some strawberry drizzle (they ran out of this when I went). Despite the lack of strawberry syrup, my drink was still very good—I loved it when chunks of the pudding goes into the straw and pops into my mouth!


What are your favorite summer cold treats? Anything you would love to add to this list?

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2 comments :

  1. Agree with the salted egg custard from Le Petit Souffle, so good! They really did an awesome job with the flavor and texture on that one. I also like the double mint sago't gulaman :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Craving for the salted egg parfait again!

    ReplyDelete

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