What Should Be the Official Cocktail of Central Florida?

Details: Published on Thursday, 14 February 2013 09:14; Written by Scott Joseph

When I published an article about beverage trends for 2013, the results of a survey by the National Restaurant Association and the United States Bartenders’ Guild, I noted that number 8 on the list was “Regional Signature Cocktails” and that Central Florida didn’t have one.

Time to change that.

I’m announcing the SJO search for the cocktail that will represent the area and be the go-to drink people order when they belly up at bars throughout the region.

So I’m calling all local bartenders, mixologists and lounge lizards alike to nominate a drink to be considered for the title of Official Cocktail of Orlando and Central Florida. To nominate yourself or a favorite bartender or drink, just leave a comment below. Each entry will be considered by me and a panel of judges. The finalists will be invited to mix their cocktails for the judges at a drink off to be announced later.

This is a serious call. I’m sure we’ll get some frivolous tongue-in-cheek entries, but I also know there are a lot of great bartenders out there who take their profession very seriously.

What will the regional cocktail have in it? It might have local produce or locally-produced spirits (other entries on the top 10 list of beverage trends). But it might not. Think about the Manhattan -- it has no ingredients indigenous to the city, it simply captures the borough’s essence. Same thing with the Cosmopolitan.

So the field is wide open. Tell us your nomination -- it needs to have a name -- what’s in it, where it can be tasted, and the reason you think it best represents Orlando and Central Florida.

Please submit your entry before 5 p.m. March 6.

Comments

0 #18 KP 2013-03-10 15:43

Deb Barker, a fabulous bartender at La Luce in the Hilton Bonnet Creek, created the (407):

2 oz. Palm Ridge Whiskey
2 oz. local honey syrup (Winter Park Honey).

Rim rocks glass with cocoa powder and pink sea salt, using Nutella as glue

Build in mixing glass, shake vigorously, strain into rocks glass with no ice

Top with meringue made from Winter Park Sourwood Honey and egg whites (locally sourced), whipped until peaks form

Delicious and classic. Old Florida with a modern, moving forward sensibility.

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+1 #17 PT 2013-03-06 07:11

Try the Florida Sundowner - in the Fire Lounge at Icebar
1.25 oz. 4 Orange Premium Vodka (Florida Made)
.5 oz Peach Pinnacle
3 oz Orange Juice- Fresh from our family orange grove in Central Florida
Drop of Grenadine
Shake with Ice and double strain into snifter, drop grenadine and garnish with orange slice and curl

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0 #16 Rochelle 2013-03-05 14:09

One more to consider... the David's Club Bar & Grill team insisted on it! The Plant City Sangria - Sauvignon Blanc, Grand Marnier, Orange juice, pineapple juice, simple syrup, strawberries and a splash of lavender honey topped with Prosecco. It is an invigorating white Sangria featuring local strawberries and honey.

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0 #15 Rochelle 2013-03-04 16:16

Another nomination featuring local ingredients from the team at David's Club Bar & Grill at Hilton Orlando: Orange County Crush. It is a twist on a nostalgic Creamsicle popsicle with a local brew. Smirnoff Whipped Vodka, Orange Juice, simple syrup, topped with Orange Blossom Pilsner Beer with an Orange Blossom Flower or twist of Orange garnish.

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0 #14 Rochelle 2013-03-04 16:14

A team of 4 (bartenders & managers) at David's Club Bar & Grill at Hilton Orlando developed this interesting combination: Orange Blossom Lemonade - It focuses on local citrus and beer. Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey Whiskey, Fresh Lemon Juice, simple syrup, topped with Orange Blossom Pilsner Beer.

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+1 #13 JR. 2013-02-19 17:41

Get Larry, bar manager at Cask & Larder, on the phone. He was one of the inventors of the Bacon Old Fashioned at Ravenous Pig. Best cocktail maker in Orlando.

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+1 #12 Dale Eves 2013-02-19 16:02

My vote goes to the Grapefruit Basil Martini at Mitchell's. It has Florida citrus (Grapefruit), Basil - an herb that's easily grown here. Plus, who's gonna turn down a Grapefruit Basil Martini? It's Grapefruit, it's Basil, it's Vodka, it's delicious...oh, and it's very refreshing!

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+5 #11 Patz Turner 2013-02-19 10:09

The coolest drink in Orlando is the Thin Ice at Icebar Orlando, world's largest and America's first Ice bar. Thin Ice uses a delicious mixture of Grey Goose L'Orange, Fresh Lemonaid and Blue Curacao. While we serve in a glass made of crystal clear ice, it is also delicious on the rocks with an orange rind flambe'.

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-1 #10 jj 2013-02-17 13:28

I'm expecting Larry Foor to submit something awesome!

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0 #9 Jennifer Marvel 2013-02-15 19:32

I second BeesBeesBees! The Audubon Flip.

2 ounces Vodka (Genius vodka from Winter Park Distilling or organic Crop vodka, if Genius unavailable), 2 ounces orange juice (locally sourced when in season), 1/2 ounce St. Germain, 1 egg white (local, if possible).

Shake with ice until foamy. Serve strained. Delish, and already the winner of the Audubon Park Garden District's cocktail contest.

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