5 amazing cocktails of Palm Beach County

It's not an easy job to decide on 5 perfect cocktails in South Florida. It’s no secret that I love a good cocktail so I consider all the "field research" I've done for this story. I think a perfect cocktail blends together creativity, passion, fire, and a great knowledge of mixology (and food nowadays!). From the perfect Bloody Mary (sigh) to coffee cocktails to tequila, finding the absolute perfect cocktail for your night, it’s great responsibility.

A well-done cocktail holds our emotions within its glass. It can accentuate a meal, it can be an entire event by itself. It can help an evening to be even more spectacular or it can, at worst, be overpriced and disappointing. I could go on and on  - and believe me, I've seen my share of cocktails through work. Here’s a roundup of some of my favorite cocktails of the moment and 5 perfect cocktails in every way.

1. A riff off the Bloody Mary at Brick and Barrel: BEST DAMN BLOODY, PERIOD.

House Carrot-Ginger Vodka, Curried Tomato, Dill, Beet Gin Float. I first tried this while chomping on pig ears (it’s a thing over there) and while the drink was fantastic at dinner, I really wanted to wrap it up and wake up next to it the next morning. I often opt for Bloody Mary’s at brunch – sometimes I’ll sub in bourbon or tequila for the vodka – so I’d like to think I know my way around a bloody mary.

This one caught my attention. Made with housemade carrot-ginger vodka, curried tomato, dill and with a beet gin float, it’s got a certain lightness to it that surprised me. Definitely add it to your must-try list.

I harassed them for the recipe, and, slightly reluctantly, they gave it up.

Ciela Rosa

2. Ciela Rosa - for sure one of the 5 perfect cocktails

It’s hard to forget about this drink.

First enjoyed at The Cooper in Palm Beach Gardens. It’s no longer on the menu...however, the Walking Dead still is and that definitely deserves a spot on my list so we'll talk about that instead. Made with a house rum blend, Velvet alenium, Don’s Mix, grenadine, angostura, absinthe it’s a perfect mixture of epic proportions. This is one of those dangerous drinks...goes down a bit too easily.

3. You’ve got to stay on top of Hullabaloo’s cocktail list as it changes so frequently.

All cocktails lovers know Hullabaloo and their rotating list of amazing draaaanks. I recommend the Chris Cornell – made with Ian Curtis –made with Tullamore, Disaronno (yesss try it), fresh citrus, orange bitters and thyme.

Sweetwater

4. Love cocktails? Then you already know Sweetwater.

Pretty much anything I mention could be on my list but let’s focus on the bourbon lovers. Check out The Blind Swine - hickory smoked bacon bourbon whiskey, rye whiskey, bitters and salted maple syrup or my personal favorite – the Pralinato pecan bourbon whiskey with figgcello, black walnut and chocolate bitters.

Mathew Swig’s 3-bean tequila

5. This isn’t exactly a drink...but it still deserves a spot on my list.

Mathew Swig’s 3-bean tequila. The last of 5 perfect cocktails. I’m a tequila girl through and through but this tequila is off the charts. It’s got a richness and a sweetness that you don’t expect in tequila – I daresay it just might be too sweet for some – but for me I can just curl and drink this and be fine.