Frozen Strawberry Margherita
Ice cold Olmeca Extra Aged Edición Black tequila is whipped up with wild strawberry extracts, freshly squeezed lime juice and strawberries. Get it at Grand Central.

Situated on the sunny Melrose Arch Piazza, Grand Central Café, Restaurant and Bar with its glam retro, award-winning décor, inspired by New York’s Grand Central Station,  is a captivating hub for those who work and play in the precinct and surrounding suburbs. Seriously superb food, an encyclopaedic selection of whiskies as well as an extensive wine list and of course cocktails draw crowds. Open from breakfast till late.  ☎ 011 684 1506

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Mixed Berry Mojito
A punchy mix of Cuban light rum muddled with lime quarters, an assortment of fresh berries and torn mint leaves, stirred, unstrained and charged with soda. Get it at JB’s Corner.
 
Perfectly placed under the iconic, ocean liner deck-shaped roof, JB’s corner is virtually the portal to Melrose Arch - in fact it was the precinct’s first restaurant when the doors opened in 2002. Tables spill out onto the sidewalk and from breakfast till late, the establishment plays host to corporate deal-makers, celebs, socialites and friends seeking a relaxed but buzzy ambience. Excellent food is a given, thanks to a strict, fresh, preservative-free ingredients policy. The burgers are legendary!

Don’t miss out on Big Fridays with DJ Small Paul every Friday 4pm to 8pm. Burgers are half price from 4pm to 6pm excluding take-aways. ☎ 011 675 5225

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Blueberry Ginger Fizz
Ginger infused Russian vodka muddled with fresh root ginger and mint, shaken with lemon juice and strained over ice, then charged with ginger ale and garnished with fresh ginger and blueberries. Incredibly divine! Get it at the Library Bar at the African Pride Melrose Arch Hotel.

Sedate and sophisticated, the dark paneled interiors are reminiscent of a gentleman’s club. It might appear quiet and restful at first glance, but at any given time this is the spot where the global deals go down. It’s also the best place to duck out of the heat when the mercury rises, as the south-facing covered verandah is always wonderfully cool. The Library Bar serves light snacks from 7am till 1am. ☎ 011 214 6666

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Mojito
Chill with this wonderfully refreshing mix of white rum and orange liqueur on ice, sharpened with fresh mint and topped with soda. Get it at Mezepoli.

Leave the office behind and surrender yourself to the quintessential contemporary Greek island experience that is Mezepoli at Melrose Arch, with its cool white interiors, accented by splashes of Mediterranean blue.

Whet your appetite with cocktails or wine by the glass, then enjoy a selection of ‘world meze’, drawn from the culinary cultures of the Mediterranean and the Middle East, the colourful tapas bars of Spain and even the eateries of Asia (Mezepoli does mean sushi!). ☎ 011 684 1162

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Mcumbelo 
Daiquiri African style, made from granadilla pulp, mixed fruit and limes blended with crushed ice. It’s refreshing, tropical and thoroughly addictive, but in a good way - it’s non alcoholic. Get it at Moyo.

Moyo also offers a large selection of equally delicious cocktails which do have a touch of the ‘sauce’ you might be after to take the edge off your work day. Translated from the ancient Swahili, moyo means soul, a moniker which the restaurant truly lives up to. Clad in copper with pressed pebble walls, the 350-seater, multi-level modern establishment offers not only world-class African-inspired urban cuisine, but also a daily line up of exceptionally fine live music. Rub shoulders with pan African business men, Joburg movers and shakers and the trendy club set on the last Thursday of every month at the ever popular analogue nights hosted by DJ1D. For an update of what’s on, visit www.moyo.com. ☎ 011 684 1477

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Chocolate Chilli Martini
Hot and chilled, just like the venue, this seductive blend of vodka, white chocolate and fresh red chilli is nothing short of lip-smacking! Get it at the Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! Melrose Arch

The hotel bar leads out onto the pool deck, making it a perfect watering hole for spring and summer evenings. If the chill sets in, the cosy lounge is a winner. You can also make up for any lost childhood moments with a milkshake - the hotel is famous for them. ☎ 011 218 4000