Spirited Cocktail Recipes

The best cocktails to quench your thirst and generate party buzz.

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Champagne Punch

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Champagne Punch
Recipe: Mint-Lime-Champagne Punch
Recipe: Blueberry-Lavender-Champagne Punch
Recipe: Strawberry-Ginger-Champagne Punch

While the simple Champagne Punch is tasty on its own, the fruity stir-ins add an extra flavorful touch. For a nonalcoholic option, have lemon-lime soda or seltzer water on hand.

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Pink Cadillac Margaritas

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Pink Cadillac Margaritas

Fast Flourish: Rub rims of chilled glasses with a lime wedge, dip in a saucer of coarse salt and sparkling sugar, and twirl to coat.

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Whiskey Sour

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Whiskey Sour

You can make a "sour" with any combination of your favorite liquor, sugar, and citrus juice shaked with cracked ice. But down South, whiskey seems like the perfect fit.

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Sazerac

Photo: Virginia Switzer

Recipe: Sazerac

Said to be The Big Easy's first cocktail, it was originally served at the Sazerac Coffee House.

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Pear-Basil Sipper

Photo: Ralph Anderson

Recipe: Pear-Basil Sipper

You can't beat the refreshing combination of muddled fresh basil and sweet pear-flavored vodka and nectar. Great for holiday entertaining or even a summertime libation.

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Green Tomato Bloody Mary

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Green Tomato Bloody Mary

Use an assortment of fresh herbs, such as basil, parsley, dill, and cilantro. Make this drink a day ahead to allow the flavors to fully develop.

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Chucktown Sunrise

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Recipe: Chucktown Sunrise

Bourbon and ginger ale combine to make a cool, colorful drink.

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Pineapple-Peach Punch

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Pineapple-Peach Punch

This makes a great virgin punch too; simply substitute an additional liter of club soda for the vodka.

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Mississippi Bourbon Punch

Photo: Ralph Anderson

Recipe: Mississippi Bourbon Punch

Muscadine wine stars in this spirited concoction of grenadine, bourbon, and a variety of fruit juices and sodas.

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Shoo-Fly Punch

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Shoo-Fly Punch

Ginger beer is a nonalcoholic fizzy beverage with a pop of spicy ginger. It's the flavor secret in this spicy but refreshing cocktail.

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Spiked Lemonade Sweet Tea

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Spiked Lemonade Sweet Tea

Spiked with bourbon or rum, this sweet tea is just for the adults. Garnish with fresh sugarcane and pineapple slices for a sophisticated presentation.

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Cava Sangria

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Cava Sangria

For a light and quick poolside drink, Cava Sangria is the way to go. Refreshing and fruity, this 5-ingredient sangria has the perfect combination of flavors from the strawberries and mint leaves. After the first sip, you’ll feel like you’re on vacation.

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Grapefruit Tequila Fizz

Southern Living

Recipe: Grapefruit Tequila Fizz

You'll want to make a whole batch of this citrusy spritzer. It's perfect for outdoor gatherings and kicking back on the porch.

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Bloody Mary Punch

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Bloody Mary Punch

Instead of stirring all the ingredients together, serve optional shots of vodka on the side, and let your guests add it or not.

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Cranberry Mojito

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Cranberry Mojito

Introduce the tart fall flavor of cranberries to your favorite minty cocktail.

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Autumn Sweater

Photo: Robbie Caponetto

Recipe: Autumn Sweater

The secret to this drink's success are bitters. Cocktail bitters (Angostura, Peychaud's) are the salt and pepper of the beverage world. Digestive bitters (Campari, Fernet Branca) give a botanical quality to drinks.

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Mississippi Mudslides

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Mississippi Mudslides

A little bourbon makes these mudslides perfectly rich and flavorful. For a dramatic and delicious effect, use a small kitchen torch to brown the marshmallows topping.

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Satsuma Old-Fashioned

Photo: Jason Wallis

Recipe: Satsuma Old-Fashioned

The classic Old-Fashioned cocktail gets a Southern twist with homemade Satsuma-Cello liqueur. The results are a citrusy Satsuma Old-Fashioned.

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The Slapping Incident

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: The Slapping Incident

This cocktail is named after a famous incident involving General Patton in Italy during WWII. Like the controversial leader, the drink is crisp, strong, and gets the job done.

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Black Currant Champagne

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Black Currant Champagne

Celebrate with this simple and sophisticated cocktail. Fill a Champagne flute or tall glass with equal parts chilled Champagne and black currant nectar. Don't forget to garnish this spritzer with fresh blackberries.

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Hibiscus-Mint Margaritas

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Hibiscus-Mint Margaritas

Flowery hibiscus and cooling mint add a flavorful kick to this margarita.

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Sparkling Rum Punch

Photo: Jim Franco

Recipe: Sparkling Rum Punch

You'll see smiles all around when these signature cocktails are offered at your festive fete.

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Ginger Beer

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Ginger Beer

Grab a pilsner glass and drop in a fresh cherry to complete this refreshingly fizzy cocktail.

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Umatilla Smash

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Umatilla Smash

Kumquat and whiskey come together to create this sweet-and-sour refresher.

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Apple-Pie Infused Bourbon

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Apple Pie-Infused Bourbon

Turn a plain bottle of hooch into a top-shelf indulgence, infused with sweet autumn ﬂavor. At 7 ounces, these cute corked bottles are the perfect size for gifts ($2.09 each; specialtybottle.com). You can also use mini mason jars or any other food-safe glass container with a lid.

Download the Infused Bourbon Labels

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Heirloom Bloody Mary Mix

Photo: Cedric Angeles

Recipe: Heirloom Bloody Mary Mix

Because canning tomatoes requires extra care, try this refrigerator variety for your Bloody Mary. Trust us: You'll want to drink it immediately anyway.

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Pepper Jelly Margaritas

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Pepper Jelly Margaritas

As the name implies, these unique drinks are mixed with green pepper jelly. Make this Southern-style margarita your signature cocktail at your next get-together.

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The Corduroy Jacket

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: The Corduroy Jacket

For a slightly more potent version of this retro-inspired cocktail, substitute hard cider or champagne for the sparkling apple cider.

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Fig-and-Bourbon Fizz

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Fig-and-Bourbon Fizz

Choose Black Mission figs or another purple-skinned variety to give the drink a pretty tint.

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Honeysuckle-Watermelon Cocktail

Photo: Chris M. Rogers

Recipe: Honeysuckle-Watermelon Cocktail

We used Mississippi's Cathead Honeysuckle Flavored Vodka to give the cocktail a delicate floral note, but plain vodka works too.

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Sazerac

Photo: Robbie Caponetto

Recipe: Sazerac

Featuring rye whiskey, bitters, and Herbsaint, this NOLA staple is said to be the first cocktail. And now it's hip to be nostalgic.

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Sweet Tea Spritzer

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Sweet Tea Spritzer

If iced tea is the house wine of the South, consider this our summer sangria.

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Mexican Sangria

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Mexican Sangría

If you order sangría below the border, you may be surprised to find it's not laden with chunks of fruit and lacks the extra liqueur kick usually expected from Spanish sangría. Mexican Sangría is light and refreshing, like a grown-up wine cooler.

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Peach Mojitos

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Peach Mojitos

Enjoy this sparkling cooler all summer long. Use the back of a wooden spoon to muddle the mint.

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Berry Bubbly Punch

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Berry Bubbly Punch

This recipe is adapted from a Champagne punch found in the first-ever cocktail book published in the United States in 1862, The Bartender's Guide by Jerry Thomas.

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Bourbon-Peach Cocktail

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Recipe: Bourbon-Peach Cocktail

Treat guests to a beverage that oozes charm. This sweet sipper features two regional favorites—bourbon and peaches.

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Orange-Cranberry Gin and Tonic

Photo: Ralph Anderson

Recipe: Orange-Cranberry Gin and Tonic

Orange juice and cranberries lend a bit of festive flair to the classic gin and tonic.

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Vieux Carré

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Vieux Carré

Offer this classic 1930s cocktail after dinner. Vieux Carré (voo cah-RAY) means "old square," referring to the French Quarter.

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Julian's Old Fashioned

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Julian’s Old Fashioned

For the Kentucky Bourbon afficionados in your bunch, make Julian's Old Fashioned the go-to cocktail for your next gathering.

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Cherry Frost

Photo: Ralph Anderson

Recipe: Cherry Frost

This refreshing drink is composed of black cherry liqueur, brandy, crushed ice, and then topped off with sparkling white wine. Of course, no cocktail is complete without a maraschino cherry on top!

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Strawberry Margarita Spritzers

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Strawberry Margarita Spritzers

Club soda, fresh whole strawberries, and frozen daiquiri mix set these margarita spritzers apart. Serve on sultry summer days and enjoy the fizzy sweetness of these colorful cocktails.

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Cajun Lemonade

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Cajun Lemonade

Add a Cajun kick to your lemonade with some hot sauce and rum. Rinse gallon milk jugs and use as a spill-proof way to transport your drinks.

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Mint Julep Sweet Tea

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Mint Julep Sweet Tea

This iced cocktail features the best of two classic Southern drinks: the mint julep and sweet tea. For best results, sip in a rocking chair on a front porch somewhere.

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Beer 'Garitas

Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Beer 'Garitas

Mixing beer with a classic margarita recipe makes this drink less tart than the regular margaritas. We can promise that these will be a hit, so make them by the pitcher to keep the party going!

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Garden Cocktail

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Garden Cocktail

You can substitute bottled juice for Garden Tomato Juice to save time. But if you make it fresh, don't use an aluminum saucepan—it will react with the tomato acid. Store in the fridge up to 1 week.

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Sherry Cobbler

Photo: Robbie Caponetto

Recipe: Sherry Cobbler

Our latest drink obsession: This low-proof, retro-inspired sipper that combines fortified wine (port, Madeira, sherry) with sugar and fruit over ice.

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Bacon-Infused Bourbon

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Bacon-Infused Bourbon

Welcome to the Southerner’s perfect cocktail: bacon-flavored bourbon. All you need is a bottle of your favorite bourbon and some warm bacon grease.

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Watermelon Bellini

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Watermelon Bellini

Whirl up any summer melon in this refreshing sipper. For a nonalcoholic option, replace the sparkling wine with sparkling white grape juice, sparkling cider, or club soda.

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Rosemary-Satsuma Julep

Photo: Jason Wallis

Recipe: Rosemary-Satsuma Julep

The Southern citrus burst of homemade Satsuma-Cello liqueur delivers a festive twist to the classic julelp cocktail.

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Sparkling Autumn Chianti

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Sparkling Autumn Chianti

A blanc de noirs, with its fruity, hint of vanilla flavor, is a great sparkling wine choice for this recipe. We also suggest using Lady or Gala apples.

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Coke® Cocktails: Pause that Refreshes

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Pause that Refreshes

This sparkly cocktail is balanced with sorghum and delivers on its name.

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Strawberry Basil Pineapple Ade

Photo: Robbie Caponetto

Recipe: Strawberry Basil Pineapple Ade

This riff on lemonade is most refreshing. It makes for a pretty presentation too.

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Tailgate Sipper

Photo: Robbie Caponetto

Recipe: Tailgate Sipper

While this sipper makes for the perfect tailgate cocktail, we have a feeling you'll be mixing up this delicious combination when the season is over too.

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Pineapple Cranberry Wassail

Photo: Robbie Caponetto

Recipe: Pineapple Cranberry Wassail

This delicious cocktail is full of fall flavor.

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The Dogwood

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: The Dogwood

This citrusy beverage is mixed with grapefruit juice, vodka, and elderflower liqueur. You'll want to garnish with fragrant lemon and fresh rosemary.

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Pineapple-Rum-Tea Punch

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Pineapple-Rum-Tea Punch

Pineapple has long been a symbol of hospitality, so welcome party guests with this springy punch.

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Palafox Fizz

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Palafox Fizz

Patrick Bolster, head bartender at 5 1/2 Bar in Pensacola, gave us the recipe for this delicious cucumber and basil refresher.

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West Indies Paintbrush

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: West Indies Paintbrush

Up-and-coming bartender Patrick Bolster of Pensacola's 5 1/2 Bar created this version of a West Indies Paintbrush—a refreshing drink with exotic floral notes.

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Woodshed Margarita

Photo: Jody Horton

Recipe: Woodshed Margarita

This backyard cocktail gets its smoky flavor from cedar-infused tequila.

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Basil-Lemon Moonshine

Photo: Brown Cannon III

Recipe: Basil-Lemon Moonshine

This fresh cocktail is great on the rocks or combined with fresh summer fruit juices.

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Moonshine-Cherry Blush

Photo: Brown Cannon III

Recipe: Moonshine-Cherry Blush

Fresh mint leaves, lemon slices, and maraschino cherries garnish this tasty summer sipper.

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Pimm Bob

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Pimm Bob

What happens when an Old Fashioned meets a Pimm's Cup with a touch of Sazerac Flair? A Pimm Bob!

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Cucumber Gin & Tonic

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Cucumber Gin & Tonic

Fresh cucumber and a lime wedge give this refreshing sipper a pretty presentation.

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Mint-Champagne Shrub

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Mint-Champagne Shrub

Shrub cocktails get their tart pucker from vinegar.

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Tomato-Tequila Fizz

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Tomato-Tequila Fizz

It's not just for looks; garnishing adds fragrance and flavor to any cocktail. Here, grape tomato halves with a spring of mint bring color and a note of freshness.

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Last-Word Fizz

Photo: Melina Hammer

Recipe: Last-Word Fizz

This frothy cocktail was adapted from the new book Pickles, Pigs & Whiskey by chef John Currence.

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Lost in Texas

Photo: Jody Horton

Recipe: Lost in Texas

This refreshing beer cocktail balances a malty bock-style beer with fruit-tinged apricot brandy.

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Blackberry Pisco Sours

Recipe: Blackberry Pisco Sours

Pisco is a South American grape brandy popular in Peru and Chile. If you can't find it in your area, feel free to substitute white tequila, grappa, or vodka. Don't be alarmed by the strength of this new classic; it's a cocktail that's meant to be sipped and savored.

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Apple Butter Sparklers

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Apple Butter Sparklers

For a kid-friendly version, substitute sparkling apple juice for the Prosecco.

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Judy's Bloody Mary Mix

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Judy's Bloody Mary Mix

Limit Bloody Mary garnishes to celery or pickled okra. Who wants a salad to come between them and a drink?

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Spirited Cocktail Recipes

1 of 71

Champagne Punch

2 of 71

Pink Cadillac Margaritas

3 of 71

Whiskey Sour

4 of 71

Sazerac

5 of 71

Pear-Basil Sipper

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Green Tomato Bloody Mary

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Chucktown Sunrise

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Pineapple-Peach Punch

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Mississippi Bourbon Punch

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Shoo-Fly Punch

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Spiked Lemonade Sweet Tea

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Cava Sangria

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Grapefruit Tequila Fizz

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Bloody Mary Punch

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Cranberry Mojito

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Autumn Sweater

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Mississippi Mudslides

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Satsuma Old-Fashioned

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The Slapping Incident

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Black Currant Champagne

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Hibiscus-Mint Margaritas

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Sparkling Rum Punch

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Ginger Beer

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Umatilla Smash

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Apple-Pie Infused Bourbon

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Heirloom Bloody Mary Mix

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Pepper Jelly Margaritas

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The Corduroy Jacket

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Fig-and-Bourbon Fizz

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Honeysuckle-Watermelon Cocktail

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Sazerac

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Sweet Tea Spritzer

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Mexican Sangria

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Peach Mojitos

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Berry Bubbly Punch

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Bourbon-Peach Cocktail

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Orange-Cranberry Gin and Tonic

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Vieux Carré

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