Florida has been in the news lately, so why not lean into the sunshine state with some of their signature cocktails

From the Flora-bama to Key West, Florida has a history of snuggling up to the cocktail.  The spring break capital, home of Miami and its famous nightclubs, the sunshine state knows how to mix up a good time. From end to end of the state is 838 miles – which gives plenty of room to have a signature bar or 30.  And with that comes signature drinks…and here are the best Florida cocktail recipes so you can bask in your own sunshine.

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The Rum Runner

In the great tradition of strong drinks, this one can pack a punch. The drink was created in the 1950s at the Holiday Isle Tiki Bar in Islamorada. The bartenders wanted to get rid of the last few sips of several liqueurs, and this legendary cocktail was developed.

Ingredients

• 2 cups ice
• 1 ounce pineapple juice
• 1 ounce orange juice
• 1 ounce blackberry liqueur
• 1 ounce banana liqueur
• 1 ounce light rum
• 1 ounce dark rum or aged rum

Create

1. Fill glass with ice
2. Add the liquid contents and stir
3. Pour the 151 in the straw or on the top
4. Serve and sip

The Hurricane

While the drink is supposed to have been developed at Pat O’Brians in New Orleans, the state has had its share of hurricanes. Another powerful drink – this one attracts spring breakers, snowbirds and just people out for a fun Thursday night.  The mixture of liquors can be lethal, so be careful on the amount consumed!

Ingredients

• 1 oz rum
• 1 oz light rum
• 1 oz pineapple
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 cup ice

Create

1. Fill hurricane glass half full with crushed ice
2. Combine dark rum, light rum, lime juice, and pineapple in a cocktail shaker
3. Add ice; cover and shake until the outside of the shaker has frosted
4. Strain into glass

Margarita

Jimmy Buffet made this drink insanely popular. From beach bars to Mexican restaurants, this is a staple in the state with lime grove of variations. Here is an easy version for you to toast to good times and start your mini staycation ASAP.

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Bushwacker

The Bushwacker is in the vein of the mudslide but with a twist. You can slide up to the Sandshaker bar in Pensacola Beach and enjoy this creamy delight. You will see music lovers (live bands), college kids, locals, tourists and more at this staple stop.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces dark rum
• 1 ounce coffee liqueur (such as Kahlúa)
• 1 ounce dark creme de cacao
• 2 ounces whole milk
• 1 ounce cream of coconut (such as Coco Lopez)
• Garnish: nutmeg, freshly grated

Create

Sometimes you want something light that tickles the taste buds but doesn’t weigh down your stomach….here are some refreshing cocktails.

Sometimes you just need to shake things up and get a fresh perspective. Whether a change of seasons, hard day, or just want need some cheer, you need a little fun boost.  Well here are the best refreshing cocktails to lighten your spirits!

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Cucumber Martini

Spa water usually has cucumbers in it because it is so refreshing. They are healthy with a mild but distinctly crisp and exhilarating flavor. Why not treat yourself to a cucumber martini?

Ingredients

• 3 thick slices cucumber, plus thin slices for garnish
• 2 1/2 ounces vodka or gin
• 1/2 ounce dry vermouth
• 1 cup ice

Create

1. Put thick cucumber slices in a cocktail shaker. Use a muddler or a wooden spoon to muddle to bring out flavor
2. Add vodka and vermouth
3. Add ice
4. Put the top on the cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for at least 30 seconds
5. Strain the mixture into a martini glass
6. Garnish with a few thin slices cucumber

Brown Derby

Leaning into the great vintage cocktails, this 1930s drink will be a treat to your taste buds. The pairing of bourbon and grapefruit adds complexity and mellow undertones to the flavor.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces bourbon
• 1 oz grapefruit juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• Splash of honey

Create

1. Combine bourbon, grapefruit juice, honey and simply syrup to a cocktail shaker
2. Fill it with ice and then shake until very cold
3. Strain the drink into a cocktail glass
4. Garnish with grapefruit slice

Whiskey Sour

This historic drink has saved lives. While the recipe first popped up in 1862, believed to have been consumed much earlier.  Sea travel was difficult and like of fresh good and clean water lead to scurvy, a potentially fatal disease that was caused, in part, by a lack of vitamin C.  It was safe to drink whisky, rum and other spirits on trips and sailors would take vast amounts of citrus food.  Cominbing them was natural and a healthy option to avoid disease, now it is just a happy drink!

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Tequila Smash

Smash drinks have been around for over a century and include the famed Mint Julep.  First noted in Jerry Thomas’s bar guide in the mid-19th century, these drinks are known to be perfect to provide good spirits and cooling atmospheres.

Ingredients

• 5 fl oz Sauza Gold Tequila
• 2 fl oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
  
• .5 fl oz freshly squeezed lime juice
• 3 fl oz honey simple syrupequal parts honey and water dissolved over medium heat- about 3 tablespoon honey and 3 tablespoon water
• 8-10 mint leaves torn into small pieces
• 2 cups crushed ice

Create

1. Make simple syrup by mixing 3 tablespoon honey and 3 tablespoon water in a small pan. Melt over medium heat until honey dissolves into water (about 1 minute), cool before adding to cocktail shaker
2. In a cocktail shaker add mint leaves, lime and lemon juice, tequila, and honey simple syrup
3. Shake for 30 seconds

4. Fill cocktail glasses with about 1 cup crushed ice and pour in the cocktail mixture

5. Garnish with fresh lime or lemon

Each generation has a variety of concerns, but a big surprise is the amount of Gen Z’ers who are now worried about fertility. According to surveys, nearly half of Gen Z is worried about their fertility despite not currently trying to conceive. The Centers for Disease Control defines infertility as “not being able to get pregnant after one+ year of unprotected sex.” According to a report published by the World Health Organization (WHO), “Around 17.5% of the adult population experience infertility.”

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Previous generations worried about fertility when it came time to have children, Gen Z sees it part of their future path. They are fretting about becoming pregnant at 35 when they are 25. When deciding to have kids later, they want to know what to do now so they can have what they want then. Can marijuana help Gen Z’s fertility concerns?

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But can worrying and the constant anxiety around it affect the outcome? While it’s unlikely stress alone cause infertility, stress interferes with a woman’s ability to get pregnant. Research has shown that women with a history of depression are twice as likely to experience infertility. Anxiety also can prolong the time needed to achieve pregnancy.

While more research needs to be done, managing stress may improve fertility.