Warmer weather in Chicagoland is nothing to sneeze at—we all start to thaw, come out of hibernation and enjoy the sunshine and the baseball. And Bahama Breeze, located in Schaumburg, is a great place to help us transition into summer’s more festive lifestyle. With additional menu items and exciting new beverages, the restaurant itself is taking a cue from the season and refreshing its offerings.

Enjoy a more laid-back existence with help from some comfort foods on the Bahama Breeze menu, which features American dishes inspired by Caribbean, Key West and Cuban flavors. New dishes include: Cuba Libre Shrimp Salad, which features chilled shrimp tossed with a rum-and-cola glaze and served with fresh greens, pineapple and candied almonds in a sugar cane vinaigrette … a light and delicious dish that’s perfect for spring; and Lobster and Shrimp Quesadilla, made with steamed lobster, shrimp, spinach and cheese served with tomato salsa and sour cream.

With its tempting tropical flavors, the rest of the menu is perfect any time of year. Salads, sandwiches, pastas, appetizers and desserts are classic eats infused with island excitement, from the Jerk Chicken Pasta to the coconut-breaded onion rings.

And then there’s the drink menu. Summer in Chicago often brings thoughts of cool, intoxicating beverages to bring out the cheer in us all, and Bahama Breeze offers hand-crafted creations with freshly-squeezed fruits, premium ingredients and the finest alcohol. From Fresh Fruit Mojitos with hand-crushed sugar cane to the Ultimate Piña Colada made from an in-house mix swirled with strawberry ice, this place takes its drinks seriously. Almost 30 types of rum are available, and Bahama Breeze hand-muddles its own spearmint and other flavors, to ensure quality. No frozen mixes are used here. Try a Brazilian Caipirinha or indulge in a signature BahamaRita, made from a homemade margarita mix and served with fresh fruit and margarita-flavored schnapps.

New on the menu this spring is the Passion Fruitini, a hand-crafted, hand-shaken concoction featuring pineapple, passion fruit and two kinds of rum: Captain Morgan’s Parrot Bay and Bacardi Limon. You can also try Citrus Mint Tea, a refreshingly sweet drink with Firefly Mint Tea vodka, Sprite and lemon and lime wedges; or the Tropical Storm, with Hpnotiq Liqueur, Malibu Rum and pineapple juice. Rounding out the new offerings is the smooth and silky White Satin, with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum, Cointreau, coconut milk and ginger.

If beer is more your style, you might want to try one of Bahama Breeze’s new Cheladas to revitalize your system. Basically, a Chelada is a Corona imbued with your choice of flavor: Habanero Lime, Rock Melon or Sands Pink (Lemonade and X-Rated Fusion Liqueur). These light cocktails contain just a bright hint of fruit, unlike the more traditional Cheladas that featured tomato juice mixed with beer. And they’re perfect for drinking as you sit on Bahama Breeze’s outdoor deck, where live music is played and food is served as life gets a little more pleasant in the Chi-town area.

Rain or shine, you can channel the islands anytime by signing up for the Island Insiders newsletter, which gives guests access to popular recipes for cooking at home, along with exclusive online dining offers throughout the year, gift card giveaways, Caribbean vacation giveaways and online Chef Demonstrations of new specials and seasonal items. Join now, and start celebrating the season right away.

You’ll find Bahama Breeze at 847-884-7060, 406 East Golf Rd. in Schaumburg and www.bahamabreeze.com.

By Helen A. Lee