First Place: Ray’s Place Long Island Iced Tea
At Ray’s Place, one drink has become the bar’s signature. The Long Island iced tea took first place among the voters in Kent, not just because of its four types of liquor, but for the way it’s made.
Ray’s makes its Long Islands to order, using vodka, gin, rum, triple sec, sour mix and Coke, all in one mug.
“A lot of places use a generic mix, so it has a totally different flavor,” Manager David Morgan said. “That’s where the refreshingness comes from, is us making them to order.”
That extra effort has helped turn the drink into a staple for Kent’s nightlife, and over time, its popularity has only continued to grow.
“It’s kind of just become the thing to get here. It’s like a self-fulfilling prophecy,” Morgan said. “It feels like 90% of our orders are Long Islands.”
Morgan said that despite its reputation for being strong, it’s also easy to drink at any occasion.
“It’s got a good amount of alcohol in it, but it is a refreshing drink, though,” he said. “If you want to drink it during a nice day, or if you want to drink it on your night out.”
The versatility of the drink is what makes it so loved by bar-goers, and the Long Island continues to be the best alcoholic beverage in Kent, year after year.
Second Place: Zephyr’s Slushie
At Zephyr Pub, the drink menu is ever-changing, helping the bar’s signature slushie take second place among Kent voters.
Rather than sticking to generic flavors, Zephyr changes up the slushies regularly, bringing something new to customers every time they come in.
Junior Manager Bengt George said the pub even tries to come up with slushie flavors based on popular cocktails.
“We’re always doing new flavors,” George said. “You can come in and then a week later come in again, and we’ve got two brand new ones.”
The popular flavor varieties include fruit combinations like pineapple and melon, and another made with coconut rum.
Since the slushies are seasonal, they offer customers a way to cool down while still enjoying an alcoholic beverage.
“We do it seasonally, just to cool down,” George said. “It’s nice to go on our enormous patio and have a cold drink.”
Having a different approach to a boozy beverage with a changing list of flavors is what makes customers continue to come back for more.
Third Place: Barrio’s Margarita
Earning third place among Kent voters is Barrio’s signature margarita, an easily customizable drink for anybody.
Made with Sauza Blue Reposado, triple sec and Barrio’s in-house sour mix, customers can choose whether the drink is frozen or on the rocks, its flavor and its rim.
Assistant manager in training David Harvath said that the number of choices offered is what makes the drink so special.
“Definitely the variety of flavors we have and rims,” he said. “And the price during happy hour, that’s also what makes it the best.”
Pineapple coconut and watermelon guava are two different flavor combinations that are among the most popular for those looking to try the drink.
Harvath said the love that goes into making the drinks is what keeps people coming back for more.
By combining customization and good deals, Barrio’s margaritas continue to stand out to customers in Kent.
Rachel McKean is the assistant broadcast manager. Contact her at [email protected].
