National Cocktail Day Recipes

13 Recipes to Shake Up for ‘National Cocktail Day’ & Beyond

With no better way to recognize National Cocktail Day than to treat yourself to one, here are 13 cocktail recipes from Florida restaurants and resorts to pour out at home and where to find them! Whether you’re looking to celebrate with your tried and true or something new, we’ve got you covered with stunning sips like the “Black Hole Fashioned” at Space 220 in EPCOT, “The Little Palm-Arita” at Little Palm Island Resort & Spa in the Keys and the “Chispa Margarita” at Gold Coast Kitchen Cocktails, Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay.

“Black Hole Fashioned” at Space 220 in EPCOT – Orlando, FL

For a sip from out of this world, check out the Black Hole Fashioned from Space 220 with a delightful twist on the classic old-fashioned. The combined flavors of Knob Creek Bourbon Whiskey, demerara syrup and whiskey barrel-aged bitters create a deceptively dark zero-gravity take on the drink with a special treatment from the “flavor blaster” for a citrus smoke (since there’s no fire in space, duh!).

Ingredients

2 oz Knob Creek 9yr

0.25 oz Demerara Syrup

3 Dashes Whiskey Barrel Aged Bitters

Orange peel (for garnish)

Instructions

Combine all ingredients into a mixing beaker. Add ice and stir 30 times. Strain into rocks glass over large ice (best with julep strainer). Express oils of orange peel and garnish with peel. Note: Space 220 serves their Black Hole Fashioned with a special citrus smoke, but at home is just as delightful with no smoke.

“Tipsy Turtle” at Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa – Fort Lauderdale, FL

Daydreaming of sparkling shores, sunshine, and salty breezes? Sip on a Tipsy Turtle! On the menu at Marriott Harbor Beach Resort, an upscale oceanfront resort situated on Fort Lauderdale’s largest stretch of pristine private beach, the Tipsy Turtle is a refreshing rum drink with a hue as blue as the Atlantic Ocean. The best part? At the resort, $1 from every sale of the cocktail is donated to The Sea Turtle Conservation Fund to protect the global sea turtle population.

Ingredients

2 ounces Malibu Rum

.5 ounces Blue Curacao

1 ounce Sour Mix

2 ounces Pineapple Juice

Garnish with Orange Slice, Cherry and Coconut Flakes

Instructions

Combine ingredients into a shaker tin. Shake and roll into a highball glass. Finish with an orange slice and cherry garnish with a coconut flake sprinkle on top.

“Bicentennial Cocktail” at Ology – Tallahassee, FL

Keep the celebration going all year with the OLOGY Bicentennial Cocktail. Crafted specifically for Tallahassee’s 200th anniversary, this cocktail highlights Ology’s Royal Lavender Gin, featuring a delicate floral essence from lavender, lilac, and pea flower blossoms, accentuated by vibrant lemon notes.

Ingredients

1½ ounces Ology Royal Lavender Gin

¾ ounce lemon juice

½ ounce simple syrup

Splash of champagne or sparkling wine

Instructions

Shake and strain into coupe, top with sparkling wine, garnish with lemon twist and lavender flowers.

“Rosé Thyme Aperol Spritz” at Casa Monica Resort & Spa – St. Augustine, FL

Indulge your senses in the exquisite blend of tradition and innovation with Casa Monica Resort & Spa’s Rosé Thyme Aperol Spritz. Inspired by the timeless charm of traditional low-alcohol cocktails, our mixologists at Cordova Coastal Chophouse & Bar have taken the classic Aperol Spritz to new heights by infusing it with fresh thyme, imparting an earthy, peppery, and bitter orange essence that elevates the cocktail’s sensory experience. To achieve the perfect harmony, the natural bitterness of Aperol is balanced by the bright and citrusy notes of orange juice and Prosecco Rosé, creating a symphony of flavors that dance on your palate.

Ingredients

2 oz Thyme Infused Aperol

½ oz Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice

3 oz Josh Prosecco Rosé

1 oz Sparkling Water

Instructions

First, you will need to infuse the Aperol. To do so, tie a bundle of fresh thyme together (about the diameter of a half dollar) and place into a mason jar or quart container. Take a bottle of Aperol and fill the quart container. Allow to infuse for a minimum of 24 hours but preferably 72 hours. Strain the ingredients through a fine mesh strainer into a new unlabeled bottle and make sure there are no thyme leaves left in the bottle. Next, add the Aperol and Orange Juice to the bottle of a red wine glass. Add two large Ice cubs (or one scoop of regular ice.) Pour in your Prosecco Rosé then top with your soda water. Garnish with dehydrated orange wheels and fresh thyme sprigs. Sip and enjoy!

“Mint to be Mojito” at the Wyvern Hotel – Punta Gorda, Fla

Embark on a refreshing journey of cool and invigorating flavors with the “Mint to be Mojito Cocktail” at the Wyvern Hotel in Punta Gorda, Florida. Nestled in the heart of this charming town, the Wyvern invites you to experience the perfect blend of minty freshness and tropical allure. Whether you find yourself at Perch 360, the rooftop oasis offering breathtaking views, or 88 Keys, the stylish piano bar with a touch of art deco flair, this cocktail celebration Punta Gorda’s laid-back charm in every refreshing sip.

Ingredients:

2 oz vodka

3 mint leaves

3 lime wedges

1 oz simple syrup

Club soda

Instructions:

Fill 12-ounce cups halfway with ice and top with club soda. Garnish with lime wedge and sprig of mint

“Samantha Sterling” at The Edison in Disney Springs – Orlando, FL

Travel back to the prohibition-era 1920s with the “Samantha Sterling” from The Edison in Disney Springs. Reminiscent of a time when craft cocktails truly became an art, this refreshing cocktail pairs vodka, Lillet Rosé and the fruity flavors of watermelon and lime with cinnamon for a bit of spice to create a fresh fruit-forward cocktail topped with mint to bring it all together.

Ingredients

1 ½ oz Grey Goose Vodka

½ oz Lillet Rosé

1 oz Cold-pressed Watermelon Juice

1 oz Lime Juice

¾ oz Cinnamon Syrup

Mint sprig and Cinnamon dusting for garnish

Instructions

Combine in a shaker liquid ingredients. Shake well and pour into collins glass over ice. Top with a light dusting of cinnamon and garnish with mint.

“White Lily” at Morimoto Asia in Disney Springs – Orlando, FL

Looking for something both elegant and adventurous try the Shirayuri (translated “White Lily”) from Morimoto Asia in Disney Springs featuring pan-Asian cuisine expertly crafted by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. Aside from being simply delicious, the White Lily is one of the most stunning cocktails on their menu with a creamy white finish and served with an orchid garnish highlighting the truly international flavors of Haku Japanese Vodka, calpico and yuzu citrus.

Ingredients

1 ½ oz (house-infused citrus) Haku Japanese Vodka

½ oz Simple Syrup

1 oz CALPICO

½ oz Lemon Juice
¼ oz Yuzu juice

Instructions

Combine liquid ingredients in shaker with ice. Shake well and pour into martini glass. Garnish with lemon peel and colorful Orchid of choice.

“Chispa Margarita” at Gold Coast Kitchen + Cocktails, Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay – Miami, FL

In a city known for bringing the heat, the Chispa Margarita is no exception. Handcrafted by the mixologists at Gold Coast Kitchen + Cocktails located at Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay, this spicy twist on the classic margarita features Jose Cuervo infused with jalapeno simple syrup and the zesty citrus flavors of lemon juice and pineapple juice, served garnished with a Tajin spice rim, dehydrated pineapple, and a fresh jalapeno slice. A twist on a classic, the Chispa Margarita packs a peppery punch while still being refreshing.

Ingredients

1.75 Oz Jose Cuervo Tequila

1 Oz Jalapeno Simple Syrup

1 Oz Lemon Juice

1Oz Pineapple Juice

Tajin Spice Half Rim

Instructions

Pour liquid contents into mixing glass and shake rigorously. Double strain and pour into a bucket glass with a Tajin Spice Half Rim. Garnish with dehydrated pineapple and fresh jalapeno slice.

“The Little Palm-Arita” at Little Palm Island Resort & Spa – Little Torch Key, FL

The Little Palm-Arita, found at Little Palm Island Resort & Spa, transports you to the tropics as soothing sounds of ocean waves lapping the shore are matched with the gentle sway of palm trees overhead. Let the sweet flavors of coconut, agave, and pineapple perfectly mesh with the smooth tastes of ultra-premium tequila and creamy rum to fully immerse you in tropical relaxation. As the sun gently warms you, The Little Palm-Arita refreshes and eases you into paradise.

Ingredients

1.5 oz Flecha Azul Blanco Tequila

1.5 oz Malibu Coconut Rum

1oz Licor 43

1 oz fresh Agave nectar

Pineapple slice (garnish)

Fresh coconut shavings (garnish)

Instructions

Fill a shaker with ice and add ingredients. Strain the mixture into your favorite Collins glass over fresh ice before garnishing with a pineapple slice and fresh coconut shavings.

“Nuevo Fashioned” at Henderson Beach Resort – Destin, Fla

Escape to Florida’s Emerald Coast with the refreshing Nuevo Fashioned from Henderson Beach Resort in Destin, Fla. Typically served at The Rooftop Bar, this scrumptious cocktail infuses flavors of Pineapple Juice and spices to create the best flavor for taking in the gorgeous coastal views.

Ingredients:

1.5 oz Black Sheep Repo

0.25 oz pineapple juice

0.25 lime juice

Splash simple

4 dashes bitters

Instructions:

Pour into a smoked rock glass, with large rock and stir. Rim with tajin and garnish with orange peel

“Prickly Pear Margarita” at Westgate Vacation Villas Resort – Orlando, FL

Refreshingly light and subtly sweet, the Prickly Pear Margarita from Los Amigos Mexican Grill & Tequila Bar at Westgate Vacation Villas Resort, in Orlando, Florida is inspired by a favorite flora found in the Sunshine State. Vibrant flavors of orange liquor, prickly pear puree, agave nectar and fresh lime juice combined with Corazón Blanco tequila and garnished with a lime wheel + an edible flower atop a bold black-salt rim celebrates this cocktails namesake cacti which is known for its flavorful fruit and showy flowers.

Ingredients

2 oz Blanco Tequila

1 oz Cointreau Noir

1 oz Prickly Pear Purée

1 oz Agave Nectar

1 oz Fresh Lime Juice

Rim: Black Lava Salt

Garnish: Lime Wheel + Edible Flora

Instructions

Rim a margarita glass with black salt. In a mixing tin – add tequila, Cointreau Noir, agave nectar, lime juice, and prickly pear purée. Shake and double strain over an ice-filled margarita glass. Garnish with a lime wheel and your choice of edible flower.

“The Sunset Margarita” from Ocean Key Resort & Spa – Key West, FL

Don’t let the name fool you – The Sunset Margarita delivers a flavorful punch at any time of day! Created by mixologists at Ocean Key Resort & Spa in Key West, this concoction is rich in Vitamin C and natural antioxidants due to the Blood Orange ingredient. Perfectly balanced sweetness with Don Julio Blanco Tequila and the tartness of fresh lime, The Sunset Margarita is a flirty and fun drink to complement an authentic Key West experience!

Ingredients

1.5 oz Don Julio Blanco Tequila

1 oz Agave Nectar

Splash fresh Squeezed Lime

Splash Blood Orange Juice with pulp

Blood orange slice (garnish)

Tropical Orchid (garnish)

Instructions

Combine all ingredients into a shaker over ice and shake well. Strain the mixture into a rocks glass and garnish with a Blood Orange slice and colorful Orchid of your choice – note: the Orchid is decorative only.

“Smoky on The Water Mezcal Margarita” at Pelican Grand Beach Resort – Fort Lauderdale, FL

Transport yourself to a tropical haven, where the serene symphony of ocean waves and swaying palm trees beckons relaxation. At Pelican Grand Beach Resort, savor the Smoky on The Water – a distinctive mezcal creation crafted with El Silencio Mezcal, Triple Sec, lime juice, fresh agave nectar, and infused with chipotle simple syrup with a Tajin rim for a touch of spice. This rendition of the classic margarita harmonizes a perfect balance of sweet, sour, and smoky notes, offering a complexity that delights the palate.

Ingredients

1.5 oz El Silencio Mezcal

1.5 oz Triple Sec

1oz Lime juice

1 oz fresh Agave nectar

Chipotle simple syrup

Tajin for rim*

Instructions

Fill a shaker with ice and add in the ingredients before shaking well. Separately, add Tajin onto the rim of your favorite rocks glass. Pour the mixture from the shaker into the Tajin-rimmed glass over fresh ice.

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