It’s patio season! When the hottest venue is your private porch or poolside, every day is like a vacation, and summer seems endless. Unwinding with a sumptuous drink in hand and the sun arching overhead is a sensation and sentiment that knows no borders.
So take a sojourn through the outdoor seating and dining arrangement at these five international properties—and while you’re at it, treat yourself to one of their favorite local cocktails.
Pour a Paloma at the Riviera Maya
Sara Plaga – Riviera Maya Sotheby’s International Realty
To stroll along a stretch of the Caribbean Sea coastline is a delight; to own a stretch of that coastline is a dream. And that dream comes true at this exquisitely contemporary residence in Playa Del Carmen. Even better, the expanse of beachfront that serves as this home’s backyard also opens onto a stunning, east-facing patio with two pools.
There couldn’t be a better place to enjoy a paloma, perhaps Mexico’s most beloved cocktail. The tangy combination of tequila and grapefruit is a great way to stay cool on a hot day, and the fact “la paloma” translates to “the dove” fittingly alludes to the serenity of sipping this beverage on a beachside patio.
White Sangria Beneath the Barcelona Sunshine
Barcelona & Costa Brava Sotheby’s International Realty
Barcelona is a rarity—a major European center that also happens to be on the soft-sand shores of the Mediterranean Sea. It’s an exhilarating contrast that finds its purest expression in this downtown mansion. With a private pool, barbecue pavilion, spa-like shower, and bright solarium, this terrace offers the laidback lifestyle only attainable in a maritime city, despite its location in the affluent, metropolitan Eixample district.
After a day of urban excursions, picture returning to this outdoor oasis and serving up some white sangria. The drink is a descendant of the Spanish wine-based punches favored by the Romans as far back as 200 B.C.E., while the modern take has been the flavor of summertime ever since its unveiling at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York City.
Mix an Ouzo Lemonade in Mykonos
Despina Laou – Greece Sotheby’s International Realty
Homeowners place a high premium on properties that create seamless, intuitive continuity between the furnished dwellings within and the natural world beyond. This peaceful hilltop residence on the Greek island of Mykonos raises this lifestyle to the level of art, with unobstructed views of the variegated blues that blend from sea to sky, gorgeous nooks built directly into the cliffside, and a swimming pool designed to simulate starlight.
While celebrities flock to fashionable parties in the center of town, this home’s patio provides a far-superior social space. Pour some ouzo lemonades—ouzo is an aperitif unique to Greece and Cyprus, known for its notes of anise and other spices—and host your own invite-only soirée away from the crowd.
Prickly Pear Margaritas to Celebrate Scottsdale
Dan Wolski and Troy Gillenwater – Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty
Speaking of hilltop residences that elevate indoor-outdoor living, this estate spares no expense with its sun decks and spa, fountains and firepits, and negative-edge pool overlooking Desert Mountain. The property boasts 3,000 square feet of covered outdoor living space, with the Geronimo golf course just outside the door.Spend an afternoon on the green, and then take in a spectacular sunset with a drink that has become synonymous with Arizona: the prickly pear margarita. The plump, scarlet fruits that line the paddles of the prickly pear cactus are a local delicacy, and their sweet syrup is decadent in a cold, slushy cocktail.
Savor Zadar’s Local Twist on the Classic Mojito
Croatia Sotheby’s International Realty
Croatia’s coastline comprises more than a thousand idyllic islands, and the city of Zadar—where this chic, three-level villa is located—boasts incomparable views of their dynamic beauty. The home makes the most of this natural gallery with its glass walls, which slide aside to grant immediate access to the Adriatic Sea and leisurely lounges and amenities that outcompete a five-star hotel.
Because its waterfronts face west, Zadar is the ultimate destination for sunset lovers—so make one of these unique mojitos, one of Croatia’s most popular cocktails, and settle in to watch the day turn to dusk.
Your own outdoor bar provides a place to come together to celebrate with your favorite people, or seek solace from the noise of the world. A spirited dance party with a live DJ; an elegant garden gala with evening dress and canapés; a mindful moment in the company of your own thoughts. No matter the situation, there are few things in life more fulfilling than sitting on your own patio, sipping a delicious cocktail, and imbibing the sweet warmth of the summer sun.
No backyard is complete without a place to cool off in style. Take a look at these five stunning properties with some of the most splash-worthy pools around.
