For those on the hunt for refreshing summer drinks in Winston-Salem, you’re in luck. Four bars and breweries across the iQ have delivered delicious ways to cool down on a sizzling summer day. Dram & Draught, The Dutch Light, Fair Witness, and Incendiary Brewing Company have each crafted a memorable beverage to enjoy this summer season.
Read up to get details on each one and then make a plan to sample all of these summer drinks before they leave Winston-Salem. When the heat disappears, so do these.
Dram & Draught
Dram & Draught, located on the first floor of Bailey Power Plant in the iQ, has a knowledgeable team dedicated to making sure you have both a great time and the perfect drink. The bar features an extensive whiskey offering with selections from all over the world, craft cocktails, and a carefully curated beer and wine lineup that always includes local offerings, along with a welcoming, neighborhood environment.
Summer Drink:
Violet! You’re Turning Violet!
What Makes It Tasty
For people looking for a drink that’s as potent as it is playful, you just found a new favorite beverage. At 11% ABV, this one packs a tasty punch. This cocktail is as eye-catching as it is tasty, wowing tastebuds with American vodka, blueberry, lemon, coconut, sugar, and egg white, shaken into a smooth, frothy finish. The flavor profile is a refreshing blend of creamy citrus with a bright berry-forward burst and just enough sweetness to keep it balanced.
What Makes It Special
This drink is inspired by the iconic line from Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, “Violet! You’re turning violet!,” where one of the gold ticket recipients unexpectedly turns into a blueberry. The drink’s purple shade is just as vivid as the character’s! The drink plays off the movie’s surreal and imaginative tone, with the blueberry taking center stage. This cocktail is a fan favorite not just for its nostalgic name, but for its beautiful presentation and unique mix of ingredients.
The Dutch Light
If you haven’t checked out summer drinks at The Dutch Light in Winston-Salem yet, make a point to change that. Inspired by a love of both greenery and hospitality, the husband-and-husband duo behind this bar wanted to bring a modern, sophisticated space to Winston-Salem that feels as welcoming as it is beautiful. Find The Dutch Light on the second floor of Bailey South by following the spiral staircase around the smokestack.
Summer Drink:
The Castaway
What Makes It Tasty
The Dutch Light team has crafted their take on a classic Mai Tai with this drink. The Castaway brings some Caribbean vibes to Winston-Salem this summer, complete with the mouthwatering combo of rum, pineapple juice, hibiscus syrup, lemon, and orgeat. And if your drink tastes especially fresh and flavorful, that’s likely due to the fact that The Dutch Light makes all of their syrups in house, including the hibiscus and orgeat (a sweet syrup made from almonds and sugar with a little rose or orange flower water) used in this drink.
What Makes It Special
We have Wilmington-based End of Days Distillery to thank for the barrel-rested rum in this cocktail, so you’re supporting two North Carolina establishments when you order The Castaway. Just like the team behind The Dutch Light, the distillers at End of Days are obsessed with crafting quality drinks that celebrate and inspire. For the End of Days team, “How are you spending your time?” is a question that drives their work and gives them purpose—something we can all bring into our daily lives to create and appreciate in our cocktails.
Fair Witness
Fair Witness serves up interesting and memorable drinks, placing priority on the flavor and creativity of their cocktails. This bar, situated on 4th Street East on the Krankies Block, is an ideal destination for people who are looking for a laid-back, unfussy vibe, but who value thoughtfully crafted, high-quality cocktails. In fact, the summer drink Fair Witness is spotlighting this summer is the perfect representation of that commitment.
Summer Drink:
The Caprese
What Makes It Tasty
Vodka and gin are blended with balsamic and red wine vinegar and fresh basil to bring freshness and flavor to this cocktail. To level it up even more, the mixologists at Fair Witness add a spritz of house-made basil oil and some crushed black pepper, then garnish it with a house-made pickled cherry tomato.
What Makes It Special
The inspiration for this cocktail came years ago as an answer to how to create a tomato drink for people who aren’t bloody mary fans. After initially conceiving the desired flavor profile, the Fair Witness team realized they could add a hint of mozzarella without actually incorporating the cheese by clarifying the cocktail with milk. That process also results in a rich mouth feel, giving The Caprese a well-rounded, recognizable flavor that closely mimics its food-based inspiration.
Incendiary Brewing Company
Though Incendiary Brewing Company now has locations in Winston-Salem, Lewisville, Raleigh, and Greensboro, their legacy started right in the heart of the iQ. This beloved brewery remains a go-to destination thanks to their award-winning beer, their unique outdoor space in the Coalpit of Bailey Power Plant, and inviting atmosphere that encourages lingering over a perfectly crafted brew.
Summer Drink:
Watermelon Undercurrent
What Makes It Tasty
The brew masters at Incendiary are big fans of classic beers, but they’re not afraid to play with fruit flavors, either—especially when looking to brew up the ultimate summer sipper. This light, crisp lager with a touch of watermelon that adds an extra cool and refreshing element has become a house favorite at Incendiary during these sweltering summer days.
What Makes It Special
Because you can either enjoy a Watermelon Undercurrent at Incendiary in the iQ or grab some cans to go, it’s a beer you can incorporate into your summer just about anywhere, including poolside. To make the Watermelon Undercurrent a tasty component of a fun evening out, plan to stop by Incendiary’s iQ location in Bailey Power Plant–or find Incendiary supplying craft beers for purchase at all upcoming Bailey Beats live music shows and Innovation & Cinema outdoor movies across the street in Bailey Park this summer.
If you find your appetite whetted by these four limited-time drinks, you’ll want to be sure to check out all the iQ has to offer when it comes to summer drinks–and food–in Winston-Salem. To see the full lineup of iQ bars, restaurants, breweries, and coffee shops, visit the Eat & Drink section of the Innovation Quarter’s website.
