BottleRock 2022: 4 refreshing cocktails to quench your thirst at the festival

BottleRock Napa Valley guests order drinks at the Wine Garden.Photo: Jungho Kim / Special to The Chronicle

Unlike some past BottleRock Napa Valley festivals, this year’s weather is much more moderate, with temperatures hovering in the low 70s. But the sun is still making its presence felt and a cold, refreshing cocktail is in order, so here are four of the best libations to sip if you’re looking for something that quenches your thirst — while also giving you a nice buzz.

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Fresh Watermelon Collins, $17

On offer from Ketel One Vodka, this pink-hued concoction is delightfully heavy on the fresh watermelon juice — so much so that you hardly taste the vodka. But trust us, it’s in there. It also includes a bit of pressed lemon and seltzer, plus a mint leaf for garnish.

Find it at the Kettle One booth in the general Culinary Garden, near the entrance to the JaM Cellars stage.

Fresh Watermelon CollinsPhoto: Jess Lander

Aperol Spritz, $17

This go-to summer cocktail is a given for a hot Napa day at BottleRock and the ones here are perfectly refreshing without being overly bitter. It’s also lower in alcohol than most of the other festival cocktails, enabling you to pace yourself.

Find the Aperol Spritz booth between the entrance and the Verizon stage (just look for a lot of orange), grab a spritz, and, if you feel so inclined, get a photo op on an orange swing with the Aperol backdrop.

Festivalgoers at the Hendrick’s bar at the BottleRock Napa ValleyPhoto: Amy Harris / Associated Press

Butterfly Effect, $18

Arguably the most Instagrammable cocktail at the festival, this purple-ombre drink has long been a festival staple. Made with Hendrick’s gin, Jardesca Aperitivo, fresh honeydew juice and lemon, the secret ingredient is butterfly blossom spirulina, which gives the drink its pretty purple hue.

Find it at the three-story, 1920s-themed Hendrick’s Gin activation or at most of the cocktail bars on the festival grounds.

Butterfly EffectPhoto: Jess Lander

Neptuna Fizz, $18

This cocktail is new to the Hendrick’s festival bar. Made with Hendrick’s newly released Neptunia Gin — uniquely made with a blend of coastal-sourced botanicals — fresh lime juice, simple syrup, soda and fresh cucumber slices, this cocktail is the epitome of refreshing with zero sweetness. The lime really shines through, but be warned: This one is deceptively boozy.

Neptuna FizzPhoto: Jess Lander

  • Jess Lander
    Jess LanderJess Lander is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jess.lander@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jesslander