An Atlanta drinker's guide to the solar eclipse

Monday, Aug. 21 will mark the first total solar eclipse in the United States since 1979. Such a rare event calls for a celebration -- keep reading for places to drink, drinks to make and more.

 Dark Side of the Sun cocktail. / Photo from Bayou Rum

Credit: Yvonne Zusel

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Credit: Yvonne Zusel

Where to drink

Bistro Niko will host a patio viewing party from 12:30 p.m. til dusk, featuring hors d'Oeuvres and "viewing glasses" Beckon Winery wine specials. The winery will make a donation to Reese's MaGIC Fund at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta to celebrate the eclipse.

3344 Peachtree Road, Atlanta. 404-261-6456, buckheadrestaurants.com/restaurant/bistro-niko/

O-Ku in West Midtown is hosting a viewing party starting at 1 p.m. on Aug. 21, featuring Solar frosé – a 'dark moon' version of their frosé cocktail – and a full bar. The main dining room will open when service begins at 5 p.m.

1085 Howell Mill Road NW,  Atlanta. 404-500-2383,  o-kusushiatl.com

PURE Taqueria Roswell rooftop viewing party will offer $3 Moon Shots, $5.99 Lunar Margaritas and $6.99 Black Out Margaritas from 2-11 p.m.

1143 Alpharetta St., Roswell. 770-817-7873, puretaqueria.com/roswell

Southern Art & Bourbon Bar will offer a 2-for-1 special on appetizers all day long, as well as a specialty "Solar Eclipse" cocktail – featuring orange soda, Four Roses and dark cherry juice – for $10 on Aug. 21 only.

3315 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta. 404-946-9070, southernart.com

Beers to drink

Get in a eclipse frame of mind with a themed beer. Grab a six-pack of Elysian Brewing Company Space Dust IPA or Savannah-based Southbound's Scattered Sun.

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Cocktails to whip up

Try these out-of-this-world cocktail recipes for your own viewing party:

Dark Side of the Sun

Satsuma Rum Liqueur rinse

2 parts Bayou Select

½ part simple syrup

Mole Bitters

Rinse a rocks glass with Satsuma and let it sit.

Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice, and stir until cold – roughly 60 stirs.

Strain into Satsuma rinsed glass over ice.

Optional: garnish with an orange peel.

--Recipe from Bayou Rum

 The Bonnie Tyler. / Photo by Zachary Blair

Credit: Yvonne Zusel

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Credit: Yvonne Zusel

The Bonnie Tyler

Add to shaker:

1 egg white

2 oz. tequila

1 oz. heavy cream

.5 oz. lime juice

.5 oz. simple syrup

Shake with ice. Double-strain.

Top with 3 oz. sparkling water. Add 2 dashes of chocolate mole bitters.

Garnish with crescent moon coffee grounds and chocolate shavings.

--From Kanu Lodge in Lake Placid, N.Y.

 The To the Cherry and Back. / Photo from Gaby Bar

Credit: Yvonne Zusel

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Credit: Yvonne Zusel

To the Cherry and Back

In this recipe – a fresh take on the Kir Royale – a white cherry disappears and reappears, echoing the sun's disappearance and reemergence from the shadow of the moon.

Place a white cherry in a Champagne glass and add 1 oz. of Cassis – just enough to submerge the white cherry. Then pour the Champagne, and the white cherry will reappear.

--Recipe from Gaby Bar in New York

 Constellation glass from UncommonGreen.

Credit: Yvonne Zusel

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Credit: Yvonne Zusel

What to drink from

Commemorate the eclipse by sipping from UncommonGreen's Constellation and Topography glassware, which etches constellations right onto the glasses, from stemless wine glasses to pint and rock glasses. Styles range from $14-$16 per glass.

What to snack on

You'll need something to soak up all the celebratory libations -- put together a package of Milky Way bars, Starburst candies, Eclipse gum, Sun Chips, Sunkist soda and Sunny Delight drink.

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