12 drinks you should order this summer, according to experts

Tiffanie Barriere, the bartender known as "The Drinking Coach," loves a Paloma for the summertime.

"The Paloma is a tequila-based cocktail. It's most commonly prepared by mixing tequila with a grapefruit-flavored soda such as Fresca, Squirt, or Jarritos and served on the rocks with a lime wedge," she said.

"I also can't ever pull away from a cold glass of rosé," Barriere said. "Rosé is dry and crisp. It smells like strawberries and goes down like a wonderful tart basket of them. That screams summer if you ask me."

Rosé is a type of wine that uses a red grape. In fact, there are three kinds of rosé you can choose from.

"My favorite summer drink is the Sweet Carolina Bee that we do," said Jesse Rodriguez, director of wine at Montage Palmetto Bluff.

The Bee's Knees is a sweet Prohibition-era cocktail that's usually made with gin, honey, and lemon.

"It's essentially a Bee's Knees, but with a slight riff with hibiscus syrup and sparkling mineral water," Rodriguez added.

Adam Kirby, chef and co-owner of Rustic Table and Bistro 217, said a margarita never goes out of style. "Drinking a margarita with good tequila is an unmatched feeling."

A margarita calls for tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and a splash of soda.

"Food is all about feeling," Kirby added. "Salt's a feeling, sour is a feeling ... makes you pucker your face up."

Sparkling rose is a fermented and bubbly wine.

"There's nothing better than a glass of sparkling rosé on a hot summer day in Atlanta. The particular brand of champagne that I like is Billecart-Salmon Sparkling Rosé," said Todd Richards, culinary director for Jackmont Hospitality and owner of Richards' Southern Fried.

Allen Lo, the cofounder of Hawkers Asian Street Fare, said his summer pick is a well-crafted mojito or margarita. Never sip this cocktail without fresh citrus flavors.

A mojito consists of ingredients native to Cuba — including rum, lime, mint, and sugar.

"It's just refreshing. And, it has to be that freshly squeezed lime juice — none of that bottled stuff. It's just amazing. I love it," Lo said.

Emma Dreyer, Georgia events coordinator for Tito's Handmade Vodka, said a strawberry lemonade with a splash of vodka would be her top choice.

"You just take a big pint glass and fill it up with ice, add about an ounce to two ounces of Tito's Handmade Vodka and then top the rest off with Natalie's Strawberry Lemonade," Dreyer said.

Laura Strawberry, the head of marketing at Caroline's Cakes, said a mimosa is perfect for brunch. Mimosas are cocktails made with sparkling wine and orange juice.

"It's always nice and colorful and it certainly makes the meal," said Strawberry. "I personally like to make my mimosas with orange juice, but I love experimenting and trying new things. How can anyone refuse champagne?"

Vivian Joiner, the part-owner of Sweet Potatoes Restaurant and Miss Ora's Kitchen, said the best cocktail is a mint julep.

A mint julep is a refresher composed of bourbon, sugar, mint, and crushed ice, and is most famous for being the official drink of the Kentucky Derby.

"I love bourbon and the freshness of mint. It's perfect for sitting on the porch in the early afternoon," Joiner added.

Hilary White, the owner of Bistro Hilary, recommends the Pimm's Cup — a blend of mid-proof spirit with lemon, ginger, and fruit.

"There's just something about it. Maybe it has to do with the queen; I'm not sure what it is. But, when it heats up, I'm all about Pimm's Cup," said White.

Chef Zu, the private chef and owner of King's Apron, prefers the Fruitland Augusta Lemonade — a mixed drink with vodka, lemonade, and an optional slice of a Georgia peach.

"It's refreshing and it's my new favorite drink," said Zu.

Yuri Kato, the founder of Fruitland Augusta, agreed, adding, "It's like a peachy-boozy Arnold Palmer."

Chef Digby, the owner of Braata Rum Bar, loves straight rum, neat — a Caribbean specialty.

"I like the ice cubes out of coconut water because it's more aromatic," he said. "This is the perfect drink because it's so cool, not too sugary, very light, and very summer-like."

"You have time to actually enjoy the drink because it's made to sip slow," he added.