Skip to main content

Blog: We start the out­door sea­son

Two cocktails on a round table in front of folding sun chairs
© Manuela Pucher

We finally get to enjoy the city’s gastronomic delights on site again. No less important are sparkling, exotic and unusual drinks. That’s why I went in search of the city’s latest cocktail creations. Hugo and Lillet were yesterday, now there are clarified pina coladas, vaccine cocktails and soy sauce drinks.

Clear Pina Coladas, Lemongrass Smoke Flavour & Holding Cocktails.

Probably the coolest outdoor cocktail location is Viertel 4 in Graz’s Joanneum district. Besides chilled DJ music, deckchairs and an urban lifestyle, there’s one thing above all: exceptional drinks. Dominik Wolf, cocktail national champion and head bartender, surprises us every year with new hip creations.

This time he has three new summer drinks in his shaker. The clarified Gina Colada is not only unique in the city but also super-refreshing, and without any cream. What a theatre! The big bubble filled with lemongrass smoke is not only visually surprising. When the bubble bursts, there’s first something for the nose, namely lemongrass aroma – then also something for the palate. Namely, a modern gin and tonic with elderberry, cucumber, lemon and flowers.

For those who like it fruity, I recommend the HOLDING Graz Cocktail. The sweet refreshment with gin, banana, peach, orange and lemon is just the thing for hot summer days.

Holding Graz – Action days on 19.6.2021, 17.7.2021 and 14.8.2021

On presentation of an annual/half-yearly ticket or social card, a P+R combination ticket or a season ticket from Freizeit Graz GmbH, you will receive -25% off your refreshments in Viertel4 on the promotion days.

Sun folding chairs with the inscription THE CITY OF MY LIFE in the Joanneum Quarter
© Manuela Pucher
Two cocktails on a round table in front of folding sun chairs
© Manuela Pucher
Yellow cocktail in front of a folding sun chair
© Manuela Pucher

Pfizer, Moderna, Astra and Co.

During the gastronomic break, the Promenade was not only renovated but also worked on new cocktail creations. Pfizer, Moderna, Astra and Co. are now available in liquid form.

The Sputnik Mule with Belvedere Smorgy Forrest, Amaretto, Angostura and Ginger Beer is something special. A little lighter is the fruity Astra Cosmo with Belvedere Heritage 176, Cointreau, cranberry and lime.

Red cocktail and decoration at the bar of a pub
© Manuela Pucher
Interior shot of Café Promenade with tables, benches, armchairs and floral decorations
© Manuela Pucher
Bar area of Café Promenade
© Manuela Pucher
Exterior view of Café Promenade in evening lighting
© Manuela Pucher

Garden of Eden and soy sauce in the cocktail

The open-air arena “KatzeKatze – Hofsaison” has also been transformed into a fairytale forest full of surprises. To match, the Barkeeper serves a Garden of Eden with Havana 7, Frangelico, apple puree, apple juice, Verjus and dried apple pieces.

Probably the most unusual cocktail on our tour is called Geisha, with gin, herbal liqueur, yuzu puree, lemon juice and soy sauce. A tart and surprising umami taste experience.

Florally decorated wall with the inscription Hofsaison (farm season)
© Manuela Pucher
Butterfly decoration against a floral background
© Manuela Pucher
Two cocktail glasses on a round bar table
© Manuela Pucher
Floral ceiling decoration of various leaves and flowers
© Manuela Pucher

I hope I’ve whetted your appetite for the city’s new cocktails – and don’t forget, the 3G rule applies everywhere. You can get tested quickly, easily and free of charge at the pharmacies in the city centre of Graz. You can find all the information in this article.

See you soon and all the best, Manuela from Testesser