It may not feel like summer’s over just yet, but the kids are back at school and temperatures are headed to cool down on the horizon. Here are seven ways to help make it a smooth and cool transition on Labor Day.

Broken Shaker at Freehand LA is partnering with L.A. Collective Made to Move to host a Labor Day pool party celebration on Sunday, Sept.  3, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., with dancing to a rotating selection of local house DJs. The event will also feature happy hour specials, including carne asada fries, chicken banh mi and fried mushroom tacos.  Handcrafted cocktails include a zesty Guavafornication made with El Tesoro Tequila, guava, Cointreau, agave and lime. If you’re in the mood for something sweeter and smokier, the No Bucks Given is made with Legent Bourbon, pineapple, ginger and lemon.

DTLA’s newest rooftop, La Lo La Rooftop, will have a surf-and-turf feast celebrating Labor Day on Monday, Sept.  4 from noon to 8 p.m., 34 stories up above Los Angeles with a live DJ and dancing. At $65 per person, the menu features filet mignon and lobster. For reservations, visit lalolarooftop.com. And speaking of rooftops, over in Hollywood, there will be a Swimsuits & Cowboy Boots pool party at Desert 5 Spot on Sunday, Sept. 3, starting at 2 p.m., featuring the Trading Post by Jada & Jon, as well as a cowboy cookout and cowboy karaoke. 

Labor Day

Martini Month (Courtesy Bar Louie)

Bar Louie will serve half-price martinis and mimosa specials all Labor Day long. The Northridge, Downey and Tustin watering hole will extend the weekend brunch menu through the holiday weekend into late night on Monday.

To help mediate all that Labor Day celebration, try a “Last Sip of Summer,” a joint vegan creation from Dear Bella Creamery and Klatch Coffee, now through Monday, Sept. 4. It combines the creamery’s vegan treats with coffee for sweet and tart soursop raspberry sorbet, topped with Klatch’s award-winning espresso and tonic water for a last sip of summer.

On Saturday, Sept. 2, San Diego-based Cutwater Spirits will host its first annual Cocktail Classic benefiting the San Diego Food Bank at Humphrey’s Outdoor Concert Lawn in San Diego. There will be live waterfront music from The Knocks, as well as Cutwater cocktails, mocktails and food pairings in partnership with three prominent San Diego bartenders and restaurants. Get tickets  HERE

Staying at home, wanting to make the best out of your late-season strawberries and basil? Here’s a recipe from Cointreau for a late summer fizz:

Strawberry Basil Fizz Margarita

Ingredients:

  • 2 basil leaves
  • 3 oz club soda
  • 2 oz Cointreau
  • 1 oz fresh lime juice
  • 1 strawberry hulled and quartered

Directions:

  • Muddle the strawberry and basil in the bottom of a glass
  • Add Cointreau and fresh lime juice with ice and top with club soda
  • Stir briefly
  • Garnish with a strawberry and basil leaf

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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