By Erik Kennedy Special to OnMilwaukee Published Apr 25, 2019 at 6:01 PM

Summer is just around the corner – and one of my favorite spots to take in the season is the combination of Tre Rivali and The Outsider.

The duo, found at the Kimpton Journeyman Hotel in the Third Ward, embraces the beauty and elegance of Milwaukee, especially when you can socialize with friends on The Outsider rooftop and get inspired by the breathtaking views of the city skyline. Plus, The Outsider has a special place in my heart because Christopher Heinrich was one of the first bartenders to educate me on the need for refreshing craft mocktails in Milwaukee when I decided to become sober almost four years ago.

I still remember how he went above and beyond to create mocktails that catered to my taste buds while educating me on the thought process and craft.

Within the last three years, Tre Rivali and The Outsider at the Kimpton Journeyman have become staples in our community – and if you don’t believe me, just go there on a Friday or Saturday evening. You will have people waiting patiently to experience the ambience, views, delicious food and refreshing drinks no matter the time of the year. As it has cemented itself in the community, it continues to be committed to making sure everyone feels included while having a quality experience and time.

"At Tre Rivali and The Outsider, we are committed to attention, detail and care during your time with us," said General Manager Tim Prendergast. "When it comes to our drinks, we pride ourselves on offering a remarkable experience every time you visit.

"We are starting to see that more Milwaukeeans are ordering our mocktails because they will still want to be social and feel included but are committed to improving their health – which means we need to showcase modern, creative drinks that will bring them back."

The most unique thing about the mocktails at Tre Rivali and The Outsider? Their secret sauce, which is the inclusion of Seedlip Spice 94, a non-alcoholic spirit. Seedlip Spice 94 is a game changer when creating refreshing mocktails, recognized as an innovative product full of flavor without alcohol.

Each of the Tre Rivali and The Outsider mocktails sell for just $9.

Garden State was inspired by listening to the music of The Shins and the growing trend of fresh juices. Of course, the movie of the same flashed in my head – especially after being informed about what inspired the creation of this mocktail.

If you are looking for a spring and summer trendy drink for 2019, you have to order the Garden State; it’s fresh, simple, herbaceous and the non-alcoholic Fee Brothers Celery Bitters, the surprise kicker, are the reason why it will be a consumer favorite. The Kentucky Derby is a week away – and I think this would be the perfect drink for the occasion.

Meanwhile, at Tre Rivali, Temperance & Tonic is the perfect drink when you are devouring some appetizers. It mirrors a gin and tonic or gin gimlet but, of course, without the booze. It’s a healthy and soothing drink, and the Seedlip Spice 94 combination makes this one of the best gin and tonic mocktails that I have ever had.

Garden State (The Outsider)

  • Cucumber Juice
  • Lemon Juice
  • Rose Water Syrup
  • Seedlip Spice 94
  • Non-Alcoholic Fee Brothers Celery Bitters
  • Club Soda
  • Cucumbers
  • Rose Petals

Temperance & Tonic (Tre Rivali)

  • Seedlip Spice 94
  • Mint
  • Lime
  • Fever Tree Tonic

The next time you are in the Third Ward for a social outing, make sure you visit Tre Rivali and The Outsider, and make sure you ask for Christopher and say thank you to him. He inspired me to ask about the history of mocktails almost four years ago and today, I am fortunate to be writing about those refreshing drinks here.