Aug. 24--We reach for chilly, fizzy, fruit-infused cocktails in the summer; warmer, smokier, whiskey-based drinks as temperatures cool. But at Gather, a stylish but casual restaurant and bar in Lincoln Square, the signature cocktails have an all-season appeal.
One of the best is the deep-red Overnight Sensation ($10), which combines Tito's vodka, lime juice and a touch of simple syrup with muddled raspberries and blackberries for a sip that's crisp and refreshing, not overly tart or sweet. The flavors play off each other in way that is intentionally harmonious -- the cocktail borrows its name from a hit song by '70s band the Raspberries.
All of Gather's signature cocktails are inspired by songs, as a nod to the nearby Old Town School of Folk Music, says general manager David Breo.
A raspberry drink for a Raspberries song is fitting, but Breo has a deeper explanation: The cocktail is as balanced as the melodies and harmonies in the song, he says.
According to Breo, the drink's "wonderful fruit flavors" will continue to ripen with the season, meaning that this Overnight Sensation will sing for many more nights to come. 4539 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-506-9300, www.gatherchicago.com.
Pickett is a freelance writer.
