Illinois – Get Lucky
One of Illinois’ biggest yearly celebrations is dyeing the Chicago River green for St. Patrick’s Day. Local bars often celebrate with signature drinks containing Irish whiskey, so when it comes to choosing a signature drink for Illinois, the Get Lucky cocktail is a perfect match! This signature drink includes Irish whiskey mixed with cold brew to give you a boost while sticking to tradition.
Get Lucky Cocktail Recipe:
Ingredients
- 3 ounces cold brew mixed with Kahlua and Licor 43
- 2 1/2 ounces Teeling Irish Whiskey
- Coffee beans
Pour the cold brew mixture and whiskey into a shaker. Shake vigorously for 10 seconds. Pour into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with coffee beans.
Mocktail Recipe:
Ingredients
- 3 ounces cold brew
- 2 1/2 ounces Irish cream simple syrup
- Heavy cream
- Coffee beans
Mix the cold brew and simple syrup into a glass. Top with heavy cream and garnish with coffee beans.
Nebraska – Trix Looper
In the heart of Nebraska lies Handlebend, a shop that specializes in making copper cups. It perfectly represents the work ethic of Nebraskans! Copper cups are special to Moscow Mule cocktails because of copper’s unique temperature regulation. These cups keep the drink cool while enhancing the flavor of the vodka and ginger beer for a refreshing and sweet drink.
In the heart of Nebraska lies Handlebend, a shop that specializes in making copper cups. It perfectly represents the work ethic of Nebraskans! Copper cups are special to Moscow Mule cocktails because of copper’s unique temperature regulation. These cups keep the drink cool while enhancing the flavor of the vodka and ginger beer for a refreshing and sweet drink.
Trix Looper Cocktail Recipe:
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 ounces Three Olives Loopy Vodka
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- 6 ounces ginger beer
- Trix cereal
Mix the vodka, simple syrup and ginger beer into a copper cup. Garnish with Trix cereal.
Mocktail Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 whole lime
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- 2 ounces club soda
- Ginger beer
- Trix cereal
Mix the simple syrup, club soda and ginger beer into a copper cup. Top with lime juice and garnish with Trix cereal.
Kansas – Horsefeather
This Horsefeather cocktail was born in Lawrence, Kansas, in the 1990s. It’s similar to a Moscow Mule but with a whiskey spin. Hints of zesty citrus pair well with the undertones of whiskey. Some even call the Horsefeather the modern version of the famous Horse’s Neck cocktail that originated in the 1800s. Have a sip of Kansas history with our simple recipe!
Horsefeather Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 ounces Jameson Irish Whiskey
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 lime slice
- 6 ounces ginger beer
Pour the whiskey, lime juice and ginger beer into a copper cup. Garnish with a lime.
Mocktail Recipe
Ingredients:
- Tonic soda
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 lime slice
- 6 ounces ginger beer
Pour the soda, lime juice and ginger beer into a copper cup. Garnish with a lime.
Iowa – Frozen Blue Water Margarita
Thanks to iconic Lake Okoboji, the Frozen Blue Water Margarita is the perfect drink for Iowa. This popular vacation spot is known for its beautiful blue waters flooded with visitors during the summer. What better drink to prop in the sand than a bright blue margarita? Sit back, relax and admire the beautiful blue of this classic cocktail!
Frozen Blue Water Margarita Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- 1 ounce lime juice
- 1 ounce Blue Curacao
- 2 ounces tequila
- 2 tablespoons salt
Garnish the cocktail glass with a salted rim. Mix the syrup, lime juice, Blue Curacao and tequila in a separate glass for ten seconds. Strain and pour into the salted cocktail glass.
Mocktail Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- 1 ounce lime juice
- Any flavored blue drink (Kool-Aid mixes best)
- Tonic water/sparkling soda
- 2 tablespoons salt
Garnish the cocktail glass with a salted rim. Mix syrup, lime juice, your blue drink of choice and tonic water in a separate glass for ten seconds. Strain and pour into the salted cocktail glass.
Missouri – Zombie
The Zombie cocktail is a spin on the classic Golden Glow. Created in St. Louis and served at the New Hotel Jefferson’s Club Continental, this cocktail is known for its bright warm color and Jamaican rum. The vibrant drink has hints of grapefruit and cinnamon that speak to its bright red-orange coloring. This drink lights up a room – literally.
Zombie Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 3/4 ounces grapefruit juice
- 3 1/2 ounces rum
- 2 dashes bitters
- 1 drop absinthe
Shake ingredients together in a cocktail shaker, pour into a glass, garnish with pineapple and enjoy!
Mocktail recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 3/4 ounces grapefruit juice
- 3 1/2 ounces Lyre’s Dark Cane Spirit (non-alcoholic rum)
- 2 dashes bitters
Shake ingredients together in a cocktail shaker, pour into a glass, garnish with pineapple and enjoy!
South Dakota – Painkiller
The Painkiller cocktail is similar to the Roosevelt, a rum and orange cocktail. Both drinks best represent the state of South Dakota. This tasty drink has hints of orange, nutmeg, pineapple and coconut. All these fruitful tastes are balanced with the rum to create a sweet but earthy taste. The orange and pineapple leaf garnishes add to the earthy undertones.
Painkiller Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 ounces coco cream
- 1 1/2 ounces pineapple juice
- 1/2 ounce orange juice
- 2 ounces rum
Mix ingredients into a blender, pour into a glass, garnish with an orange slice and pineapple leaves and enjoy!
Mocktail recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 ounces coco cream
- 1 1/2 ounces pineapple juice
- 1/2 ounce orange juice
- 2 ounces tonic water
Mix ingredients into a blender, pour into a glass, garnish with an orange slice and pineapple leaves and enjoy!
Ohio – Bloody Maria
In 1965, tomato juice was declared the signature drink of Ohio by the Ohio General Assembly. There is no better cocktail than a Bloody Mary with a twist to represent the state of Ohio. This Bloody Maria separates itself from the classic by using tequila and a homemade tomato juice mix.
Bloody Maria Cocktail Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 ounces Homemade Bloody Mary tomato juice mix
- 1 ounce lemon juice
- 2 ounces tequila
Mix ingredients into a shaker, shake, pour and garnish with a lime!
Mocktail Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 ounces tomato juice mix
- 1 ounce lemon juice
- 1 ounce pickle or dill juice
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Mix ingredients into a shaker, shake, pour and garnish with a lime!
Minnesota – Paloma
Minnesota’s most popular cocktail is a Bootleg Cocktail, but the state’s most popular name for beverages is pop! The Paloma cocktail puts a twist on this well-known cocktail by combining it with some pop. The refreshing grapefruit juice hints give the summer essence the Bootleg is known for and the grapefruit soda pairs well with these flavors. The hints of lime calm the strong bite of tequila.
Paloma Cocktail Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1/2 ounce lime juice
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- 1/4 ounce Aperol
- 1/2 ounce grapefruit juice
- 2 ounces tequila
- Grapefruit soda
Pour ingredients into the shaker, shake, pour and top off with club soda.
Mocktail Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1/2 ounce lime juice
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- 2 1/4 ounces tonic water
- 1/2 ounce grapefruit juice
- Grapefruit soda
Pour ingredients into a chilled glass, mix and top off with club soda.
North Dakota – Blue Crush
The most popular drink in North Dakota is a Howlin’ Wolf, known for its blue coloring and representing the state animal: the coyote. The Blue Crush cocktail is a new twist to the Howlin’ Wolf. The Blue Curacao gives the drink its vibrant color while bringing a refreshing essence to the gin from the lime juice.
Blue Crush Cocktail Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces gin
- 2 ounces coco cream
- 1/2 ounces lime juice
- 3/4 ounces Blue Curacao
- 3/4 ounces coconut flavored liquor
Pour ingredients into a shaker, shake, pour and garnish with a lemon wedge, pineapple slice and hibiscus flower!
Mocktail Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces tonic water or Sprite
- 2 ounces coco cream
- 1/2 ounce lime juice
- 3/4 ounce Blue Crush soda
Pour ingredients into a shaker, shake, pour and garnish with a lemon wedge, pineapple slice and hibiscus flower!
Wisconsin – Polynesian Sling
The state of Wisconsin is known for its many lakes and fishing sites, so it’s no wonder this signature cocktail is served in a fish glass and has hints of refreshing flavors that are perfect for a summer day out by the lake. The lemon juice mellows the strong flavors of gin, making this an easy sipping cocktail.
Ploynesian Sling Cocktail Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1/2 ounce lemon juice
- 3/4 ounce pineapple juice
- 1 ounce Sling mix – housemade liquor mix
- 1 1/2 ounce gin
- 2 dashes of bitters
Pour ingredients into a shaker, shake, pour and garnish with a pineapple slice, hibiscus flower and a candied cherry!
Mocktail Recipe:
- 1/2 ounce lemon juice
- 3/4 ounce pineapple juice
- 2 1/2 ounces lemon-lime soda
- 2 dashes bitters
Pour ingredients into a shaker, shake, pour and garnish with a pineapple slice, hibiscus flower and a candied cherry!
Michigan – Funky Flamingo
The state’s capitol, Detroit, is known for its Motown music made in the 1960s. This music has grown throughout the state and brings a sense of groove and movement to the people who call Detroit home. The Funky Flamingo cocktail offers the same groove with its bold flavors from strawberry vodka to hints of grapefruit — and don’t forget the funky fun cup it can be made in!
Funky Flamingo Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 ounces strawberry vodka
- 1 ounce St. Germain
- 1/2 ounce grapefruit juice
- 1/2 ounce lemon juice
- 3/4 ounce sparkling wine
Pour ingredients into a shaker, shake, pour and garnish with mint!
Mocktail Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 ounces strawberry puree
- 1/2 ounce grapefruit juice
- 1/2 ounce lemon juice
- 3/4 ounce lemon-lime soda
Pour ingredients into a shaker, shake, pour and garnish with mint!
Indiana – Summer Dreamin’
The Indiana state is known for its beautiful nature especially in the summertime. Locals love picnics and spending time outside. The Summer Dreamin’ cocktail’s flavors of coconut and lemon represent the beautiful summers in Indiana. The fun cup paired with this cocktail makes people start dreaming for their perfect summer plans!
Summer Dreamin Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 ounce coco cream
- 1/2 ounce lemon juice
- 1/2 ounce apricot juice
- 2 ounces Tito’s vodka
Pour ingredients into a shaker, shake, pour and garnish with lemon wedge and flowers.
Mocktail Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces coconut juice
- 3/4 ounce Pina Colada mix
- 1/2 lemon juice
Pour ingredients into a shaker, shake, pour and garnish with lemon wedge and flowers.
Senior Social Video Producer | My passion for creativity and storytelling is what drives me! Through various internships ranging from being a social media manager to a communications coordinator for a hospital, I have professionalized many of my skill sets learned through classes. I am thrilled to see where my career takes me post-college!