Toasts of the Town

Congratulations. You made it to Friday.

Considering the week you've just had, you deserve a medal. A statue molded in your likeness. A dedicated holiday.

Or, at the very least, a damn good drink. Which is why we asked four of Hawaii's hottest bartenders (and one from France) to handpick the perfect end-of-summer cocktail, just for you.

Cheers.

The cocktail: Mango Mint, $10 Where to get it: Pint + Jigger, 1936 S. King St., Suite 101 Created by: Dave Newman, owner/operator What's in it: Van Gogh mango vodka, orange brandy, fresh lime juice, fresh mango purée, simple syrup, mint Why it's perfect: "Its freshness, combined with a hefty amount of booze, sneaks up on you. It goes down easy and leaves you wanting more, sort of like summer."

	The cocktail: Fresh Air, $10 Where to get it: Town, 3435 Waialae Ave. Created by: Kyle Reutner, barman What's in it: Cruzan light rum, organic sugar cane juice, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, MA'O Tahitian lime juice, Green Chartreuse Why it's perfect: "This daiquiri variation incorporates strong herbal flavors alongside lychee, pear and elderflower while staying true to the refreshing quality of a true sour."
	The cocktail: The Ol' Flame, $10 Where to get it: The Manifest, 32 N. Hotel St. Created by: Roxanne Siebert, bartender What's in it: Sammy's Beach Bar Rum infused with hibiscus tea, Yellow Chartreuse, cashew orgeat, lime juice, Angostura Bitters, dark rum foam Why it's perfect: Filled with tart, complex flavors, this drink came in second in last weekend's The World's Best Mai Tai contest at Don the Beachcomber Mai Tai Festival in Kona. (Photo Courtesy: Sean M. Hower.)
	The cocktail: Poire Victore, $25 Where to get it: L'Aperitif, Halekulani, 2199 Kalia Rd. Created by: Colin Field, head barman at Ritz Paris' Hemingway Bar and L'Aperitif consultant What's in it: Pear-flavored Grey Goose de Francois Thibault, fresh lime, clarified apple juice Why it's perfect: Field likens it to the first bite of a fresh, slightly underripe summer fruit.

If you're up for mixing your own drink, try this recipe from Imbibe Hawaii.

The cocktail: Summer Rye
Created by: Maria Burke, partner, Imbibe Hawaii
Why it's perfect: Rye is earthy and hints of fall while the touch of bubbles and sweetness sing of summer.

1 1/2 part Rittenhouse Rye Whiskey*
3/4 part St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur*
1/4 part simple syrup
3/4 part freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 part fresh pressed (cloudy) apple juice
3/4 part champagne

Shake everything except champagne with ice and strain into an ice-filled collins glass, top with champagne and fresh apple cubes.

*Available at Fujioka's Wine Times