Florida has been in the news lately, so why not lean into the sunshine state with some of their signature cocktails
From the Flora-bama to Key West, Florida has a history of snuggling up to the cocktail. The spring break capital, home of Miami and its famous nightclubs, the sunshine state knows how to mix up a good time. From end to end of the state is 838 miles – which gives plenty of room to have a signature bar or 30. And with that comes signature drinks…and here are the best Florida cocktail recipes so you can bask in your own sunshine.
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The Rum Runner
In the great tradition of strong drinks, this one can pack a punch. The drink was created in the 1950s at the Holiday Isle Tiki Bar in Islamorada. The bartenders wanted to get rid of the last few sips of several liqueurs, and this legendary cocktail was developed.
Ingredients
- 2 cups ice
- 1 ounce pineapple juice
- 1 ounce orange juice
- 1 ounce blackberry liqueur
- 1 ounce banana liqueur
- 1 ounce light rum
- 1 ounce dark rum or aged rum
Create
- Fill glass with ice
- Add the liquid contents and stir
- Pour the 151 in the straw or on the top
- Serve and sip
The Hurricane
While the drink is supposed to have been developed at Pat O’Brians in New Orleans, the state has had its share of hurricanes. Another powerful drink – this one attracts spring breakers, snowbirds and just people out for a fun Thursday night. The mixture of liquors can be lethal, so be careful on the amount consumed!
Ingredients
- 1 oz rum
- 1 oz light rum
- 1 oz pineapple
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 cup ice
Create
- Fill hurricane glass half full with crushed ice
- Combine dark rum, light rum, lime juice, and pineapple in a cocktail shaker
- Add ice; cover and shake until the outside of the shaker has frosted
- Strain into glass
Margarita
Jimmy Buffet made this drink insanely popular. From beach bars to Mexican restaurants, this is a staple in the state with lime grove of variations. Here is an easy version for you to toast to good times and start your mini staycation ASAP.
Ingredients
- Crushed ice
- 3 lime wedges
- 2 ounces gold tequila
- ½ ounce silver tequila
- 1 ¼ ounces Rose’s lime juice
- ½ ounce Triple Sec
- Salt
Create
- Combine all ingredients except for the lime into a shaker
- Squeeze 2 of the lime wedges into the shaker and then shake well
- Serve over salt rimmed glass
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Bushwacker
The Bushwacker is in the vein of the mudslide but with a twist. You can slide up to the Sandshaker bar in Pensacola Beach and enjoy this creamy delight. You will see music lovers (live bands), college kids, locals, tourists and more at this staple stop.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces dark rum
- 1 ounce coffee liqueur (such as Kahlúa)
- 1 ounce dark creme de cacao
- 2 ounces whole milk
- 1 ounce cream of coconut (such as Coco Lopez)
- Garnish: nutmeg, freshly grated
Create
- Add the dark rum, coffee liqueur, dark creme de cacao, whole milk, cream of coconut and a cup of ice into a blender
- Blend until combined and frothy
- Pour into a Hurricane glass
- Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg
The Fuzzy Navel
The sunshine state is the land of oranges, so why not a delicious fruit drink that isn’t a mimosa or a screwdriver – welcome to the Fuzzy Navel.
Ingredients
- 2 ops peach schnapps
- 6 ounces freshly squeezed orange juice
- Orange slice
Create
- Add a handful of ice to a highball glass
- Pour in the peach schnapps, followed by the orange juice
- Stir, and garnish with the orange slice.
Hairy Navel
Add an oz of vodka to the above recipes and you transform the drinks to a Hairy Navel.
