Favorite Florida Drinks
A Guide to Florida's Best Beverages!
Favorite Florida drinks are distinctive and wide-ranging (and delicious!). While Florida is known for its beautiful beaches, subtropical climate, and vibrant culture, most of these favorite drinks are reminiscent of these best aspects.
Florida mixologists are known for putting their own unique spin on classic cocktails. Whether it’s adding a tropical fruit twist or incorporating local ingredients, these mixologists are constantly pushing the boundaries of what a cocktail can be.
One example of this is the Florida Old Fashioned, a twist on the classic cocktail made with bourbon, orange juice, simple syrup, and bitters. Another unique drink is the Guava Cosmo, a tropical twist on the classic cosmopolitan made with guava juice, vodka, lime juice, and triple sec.
From refreshing cocktails to craft beers and fresh juices, there is something for everyone to enjoy. In this article, we will take a closer look at Florida’s best beverages, including signature drinks, refreshing cocktails, unique mixology, dessert drinks, mocktails, fresh juices and smoothies, and even its wine country.
You’re gonna want to grab a drink when you start reading through all these! Let’s go…!
Favorite Florida Drink Flavors
- Orange
- Key Lime
- Pineapple
- Mango
- Coconut
- Honey
- Banana
- Caribbean Rum
- Cuban Coffee
When it comes to favorite Florida drinks, there is no shortage of options. From tropical cocktails to fresh juices, wines to craft beers, there is something for every taste preference.
One of the key factors that sets Florida’s beverages apart is the inspiration and use of fresh, local ingredients. With an abundance of citrus fruits and other tropical flavors readily available, many bartenders and mixologists in Florida take advantage of these ingredients to create unique and flavorful drinks.
Cocktails Influenced by Florida Citrus and Tropical Fruits
Key Lime
- Strawberry Key Lime Moscow Mule: This delicious, refreshing drink is surprisingly simple to make, combining vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice plus (optional) strawberry simple syrup. Put it in a Florida copper mug for added authenticity. Here’s a fun recipe:
Strawberry Key Lime Moscow Mule from lemonsforlulu.com.
- Key Lime Pie Martini: This delightful drink captures the essence of Florida with its zesty key lime flavor, creamy vanilla, and a hint of graham cracker crust. Here’s a favorite recipe:
Key Lime Pie Martini by mixthatdrink.com.
Pineapple
- Piña Colada: This tropical drink is a staple in Florida, featuring rum, pineapple juice, coconut cream, and a hint of sweetness. Here’s a yummy recipe:
Pina Colada (alcohol and mocktail versions) from theadventurebite.com
Rum and a lot of fruit juices
- Rum Runner: This iconic cocktail was invented in the Florida Keys and features a blend of rum, banana liqueur, grenadine, and various fruit juices. Here’s a fantastic recipe:
Rum Runner from keywestfoodtours.com
- Mojito: A refreshing cocktail made with rum, lime juice, sugar, mint leaves, and soda water. The Mojito originated in Cuba but has become a staple in Florida’s drink scene. Here’s a fantastic recipe:
Easy Mojito recipe from simplyrecipes.com
Mocktails (no alcohol)
It’s no secret Florida is full of very health-conscious people who live to work out, eat healthy and look good. So how do they do it with all the party scenes and yummy alcoholic beverages? Mocktails! They look good, taste great, and these favorite florida drinks contain NO alcohol!
- Shirley Temple: This classic mocktail is made with grenadine, lemon-lime soda, and a maraschino cherry. We recommend using fresh ‘key limes from Florida’ of course!
Shirley Temple Mocktail Recipe from shortgirltallorder.com
- Florida Fruit Smoothie: This is a super easy, incredibly delicious way to drink HEALTHY! Main fruit is banana, plus add any other fruits you’d like (fresh or frozen!). Here’s an easy recipe:
Florida Fruit Smoothie recipe from food.com
- Strawberry Milkshakes: Rather than make them yourself, if you’re in South Florida just head over to Knaus Berry Farm or Robert is Here, or go to both since they are so close to each other. Fresh, delicious plus you pick up lots of other local fruits and vegetables while you’re there! Tip: Robert Is Here has an amazing Dragonfruit Milkshake you may never find anywhere else, and it’s pretty fantastic.
Knaus Berry Farm
Robert is Here
Local Craft Beers
Florida’s craft beer scene has been booming in recent years, with breweries popping up across the state to cater to discerning beer enthusiasts. From hoppy IPAs to rich stouts, there’s something for every beer lover in Florida’s ever-expanding beer landscape.
Here are three popular craft breweries in Florida:
- Cigar City Brewing (Tampa, FL): a popular west coast brewery offering a large selection of custom beers. Official website: https://cigarcitybrewing.com
- Funky Buddha Brewery (Boca Raton, FL): a popular east coast brewery that boasts a diverse selection of beers including their popular Floridian Hefeweizen. They have a taproom, restaurant and merch. Official website: https://funkybuddha.com
- Florida Keys Brewing Company (Islamorada, FL): locally brewed beer, big selection. They have a tasting room and beer garden. Official website: https://floridakeysbrewingco.com
Florida Wineries
While Florida may not have the same wine-making reputation as Napa Valley or Bordeaux, the state is home to a burgeoning wine industry that’s gaining recognition for its unique varietals and terroir-driven wines. From muscadine to tropical fruit wines, Florida’s vineyards offer a taste of the Sunshine State in every glass.
Here’s a few popular wineries, known for their unique offerings and beautiful settings:
- Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards (Clermont, FL): it’s considered the largest premium winery in Florida, they offer tastings and tours. Official website: https://www.lakeridgewinery.com
- Schnebly Redland’s Winery (Miami, FL): family-owned winery in South Florida established in 1924, one of the oldest continuously operating wineries in Florida. They use a variety of tropical and subtropical fruits like guava, mango, lychee in their wines alongside traditional grapes. There is a tasting room, tours, educational workshops and a lovely outdoor restaurant complete with an amazing koi pond and waterfalls. Official website: https://www.schneblywinery.com
Coconut Water!
Coconut water is the clear liquid found inside young, green coconuts. It’s essentially the sap that nourishes the developing fruit. It’s super healthy and plentiful. Here are some key points about coconut water:
- Source: Inside young, green coconuts
- Taste: Mildly sweet, nutty flavor
- Nutrients: Contains electrolytes like potassium, sodium, and magnesium
- Uses: Popular beverage, sometimes used for rehydration after exercise or illness
Florida is home to a wide range of bars and restaurants, each offering its own unique drink menu. From beach bars with a laid-back atmosphere to upscale establishments with creative mixology, there is something for every occasion.
Some of the best places to find unique and creative drinks in Florida include Miami’s trendy cocktail bars, Key West’s iconic beach bars, and Orlando’s vibrant nightlife scene.
The favorite Florida drinks scene is as diverse and vibrant as the state itself. From signature drinks like the Mojito and Rum Runner to refreshing cocktails, unique mixology, dessert drinks, fresh juices and smoothies, and even its own wine country, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
So the next time you find yourself in the Sunshine State, be sure to explore the local drink scene and try something new and unique. Cheers!