With the temperature in Manila reaching a scorching high of 37.7°C last Sunday afternoon, we must simply find ways to keep cool and hydrated.

A tall glass of ice water and the fan on high speed can help, but if you want to splash out, give coolers a twist—just to be different and exciting.

Inquirer Lifestyle made the rounds of hotels to come up with a list of thirst quenchers for summer 2016.

Choose from drinks like “virgin” mojitos, “dirty” milkshakes and that old reliable, sago’t gulaman. There’s a reason it’s called “samalamig.”

Diamond Hotel

The hotel’s Minty Pineapple Cooler is a refreshing blend of pineapple, mint and a splash of ginger ale. It consists of 8-10 mint leaves, 3 jiggers of pineapple juice and ginger ale.

Fairmont Makati

At the Fairmont Lounge, the Kiwi Lemonade is a tangy combination of kiwi, lemonade, lime and orange.

Sofitel Philippine Plaza

Mango Lush is one of the bestsellers at Le Bar, the restaurant at the lobby of Sofitel Philippine Plaza. The mango-based shake can be spiked with ginger for a tangy taste, or cucumber for a refreshing and cool taste. Aside from one whole mango, ingredients include mashed ginger or cucumber, sugar syrup and crushed ice.

Edsa Shangri-La

Kids and adults alike will like the Dirty Milkshake at Heat, the hotel’s all-day dining outlet. Served in a mason mug, the chocolate milkshake is overloaded with chocolate powder, choco ice cream, choco shavings, marshmallows and whipped cream. Consume immediately.

City of Dreams Manila

Hyatt Hotel at City of Dreams (COD) Manila has an Apple Ginger Ale made from ginger ale, apple and fresh ginger served in a mason jar.
Crown Towers Manila also at COD has 5 A Day which combines raspberry, blueberry, blackberry, strawberry and grape for a drink that’s rich in antioxidants and phytochemicals. The mixture also includes lime juice, honey syrup and a dash of Sprite.

At Nobu Hotel likewise in COD, the thirst quencher is Peach Mojito where the slight sourness of the lime juice balances the sweetness of the peach nectar and sugar syrup. Mint leaves add a dose of freshness and complement the drink’s delicate flavors.

New World Manila Bay

Cool off with New World Manila Bay Hotel’s Virgin Mojito. The refreshing mocktail, available any time of the day
at the Lobby Lounge, combines lime, mint, sugar and ginger ale.
The Peninsula Manila

Those who love citrus will like the hotel’s Pomelo Ginger that combines fresh pomelo juice, Palawan honey, freshly peeled ginger and water. Juice, honey and ginger are mixed in a bar shaker and poured into a glass with ice.

Resorts World Manila
Nothing beats the heat quite like a classic. Remington Hotel’s café RBar serves up a favorite Filipino refresher, ice-cold Sago’t Gulaman. This merienda staple mixes portions of sago, grass jelly, and shaved ice doused in homemade syrup to create a cold, brain freeze-inducing drink. – Raoul J. Chee Kee