Bottoms Up! Fun Cocktail Recipes from the Florida Keys

You don’t have to wait for the weekend to shake things up!

These fun signature cocktail recipes from some of the Keys top restaurants and bars may be just the ray of sunshine you need right now.

Cotton Goes To Harlem
Ziggies & Mad Dog’s
Master Mixologist, Kevin Potter, pours some of the tastiest concoctions in the Keys.
Here is one of his favorite signature cocktails.

INGREDIENTS
4 Oz Stoli Vanilla Vodka
2 Oz White Creme de Cocoa
2 Oz Lychee Liquor
4 Oz Pineapple Juice

PREPARATION
Shake together all ingredients with plenty of ice. Stain into a chilled martini glass rimmed with orange sugar.

You can find the legendary Ziggie & Mad Dog’s at MM 83, Bayside in
Islamorada, Fl 33036. 305-664-3391; ziggieandmaddogs.com

Jalapeño Watermelon Margarita
Square Grouper Bar & Grill
Lynn Bell, chef/owner of the highly acclaimed Square Grouper restaurant is one of the most talented chefs in the Keys. Here, she turns her talents to a cocktail that packs a punch.

INGREDIENTS
Build-in Glass (Highball)
1 – 2 Jalapeños
1-1/2 Oz Tequila
1/2 Oz Triple Sec
1/2 Oz Watermelon Juice

PREPARATION
Muddle 1 – 2 Jalapeños in glass
Add Tequila, Triple Sec and Watermelon Juice
Fill with Sour Mix, shake and garnish with a lime

You can find the Square Grouper at MM 22.5 on Cudjo Key (305-745-8880; squaregrouperbarandgrill.com) and at MM 80.4 in Islamorada (786-901-5678; squaregrouperIslamorada.com)

Orange Cosmo
Tavern N’ Town, Key West
Nothing says “Happy Hour” like an Orange Cosmo and Tavern N’ Town, known for having one of the best nightly Happy Hours in Key West, makes the best around.

INGREDIENTS
1.5 Oz Grey Goose Orange Vodka
1/2 Oz Cointreau
1/4 Oz Fresh Lime Juice
2 Oz Cranberry Juice

PREPARATION
Mix together all of the ingredients and shake vigorously until ice cold. Serve straight up in a chilled martini glass and garnish with a fresh slice of orange.

You can find Tavern N’ Town at Marriott Key West Beachside Resort, 3811 North Roosevelt Blvd, Key West. 305-296-3676; TavernNTown.com.

Rum Punch
Green Turtle Inn
In addition to fantastic food, the iconic Green Turtle Inn has been a favorite local watering hole for decades. Here’s one of our tropical favorites.

INGREDIENTS
2 Oz Bacardi Light Rum
2 Oz Bacardi Anejo Rum
3/4 Oz Liqueur 43
Fruit Punch Juice Blend: Equal amounts of Mango, Guava, Passion Fruit, Pineapple and Orange Juices

PREPARATION
Mix all ingredients in large glass and shake vigorously. Pour into a tall glass and garnish with a sugarcane swizzle stick

You can find the iconic Green Turtle Inn at MM 81.2, Oceanside in Islamorada, Fl 33036. 305-664-2006; greenturtleinn.com.

The Original Rum Runner
Whistle Stop Bar & Grill
You haven’t really experienced the Keys until you’ve imbibed in a genuine Rum Runner. Make sure you have a designated driver with you after one of these.

INGREDIENTS
7/8 Oz Blackberry Brandy
7/8 Oz Banana Liquor
3/4 Oz 151 Rum
5/8 Oz Grenadine
1.5 Oz Lime Juice

PREPARATION
Add to blender with lots of crushed ice. Serve with a lime wedge and cherry.
Add Tequila, Triple Sec and Watermelon Juice
Fill with Sour Mix, shake and garnish with a lime

You can find the Whistle Stop at MM 82.5 Oceanside in Islamorada, Fl 33036. 305-664-2623; thewhistlestopbar.com.

Peach Mojito Splash
Sparky’s Landing
“Fish & Cocktails” is what Sparky’s Landing is all about. If this recipe is too labor-intensive for you, drop by their dock for the great sunset Happy Hour.

INGREDIENTS
2 Oz Bacardi Light Rum
2 Oz Mint & Lime Infused Simple Syrup*
2 Cups Sugar
4-6 Mint Sprigs (reserve one for garnish)
3 Lime Wheels (reserve one for garnish)
Splash of Peach Puree (or other fresh fruit puree)

SIMPLE SYRUP PREPARATION
Steep 2 cups of sugar, 1/2 cup mint and juice from 3 limes in 1 cup of hot water, then chill

COCKTAIL PREPARATION:
Place remaining mint leaves and two lime wheels into tall 12oz glass. Add rum and gently muddle mint and lime together with the back of a spoon. Add the 2 oz of Simple Syrup, lots of ice and give it a quick shake. Top with Club Soda and splash of peach puree. Garnish with mint sprig and lime wheel.

You can find Sparky’s Landing at MM 53.5 behind the Holiday Inn Express, Marathon, Fl 33050. 305-289-7445; sparkyelanding.com.

Hurricane
Hard Rock Cafe
The Hard Rock Cafe rocks Duval with a whole lineup of tropical drinks that pack a punch. This Key West Hurricane will blow you away.

INGREDIENTS
1 Oz Bacardi Silver Rum
1 Oz Bacardi Rum Select
1 Oz Amaretto
2 Oz Orange Juice
2 Oz Mango Juice
2 Oz Pineapple Juice
1/2 Oz Grenadine
1.5 Oz Lime Juice