We've been graced with some extra-warm evenings this spring, and the Grapevine Cosmo ($5) is a great way to start one of them off — especially when this Middleburg Heights pub and eatery throws open the glass double doors to let the breezes waft in. Although the spot is known for its wide selection of two-buck beers and drinks, manager Shannon Hardman and the bartenders get creative when concocting the seasonal drink menus. This one gets top billing lately: an oversized dose of Absolut Grapevine Vodka, triple sec, and a hint of cranberry juice is perfectly iced and shaken to yield a not-too-sweet cocktail. A splash of lime adds a twang that, at first sip, is almost effervescent. If there's a chill in the air, it makes a delightful appetizer for the beer-cheese soup: a mix of molten cheddar and pepper jack blended into a Dortmunder and onion-laced broth. Or, if it feels more like summer, you may just want to make your way through some of the other citrusy and fruity libations the staff has dreamed up. — Maude L. Campbell
Get it at 18336 Bagley Rd., Middleburg Heights, 440-234-8344, www.twobucks.us.
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