Celebrate summer with these colorful happy hour cocktails
Seaside’s bartenders artfully make use of alcohol mixed with in-season ingredients, creating ingenious cocktails that are fun, refreshing and next level. As you enjoy your summer cocktail hour, you just might make one of these boozy concoctions your go-to drink.
“Great Southern is an amazing place to work, with a great owner (Jim Shirley),” says bartender Shawn Baxter. “The bar staff is a tight family. We work in harmony and have fun doing it. Jim looks out for us and allows us to be as creative as we want.”
Great Southern’s mojitos are the restaurant’s world-famous claim to fame. “We have 13 versions,” Shawn adds. “We have upgraded our bourbon list, so that’s elevated the spirits selection here. We also added many high-end tequilas, taking it to another level.”
SS Beezy
The mojito is a famous Cuban drink, but Great Southern puts its own spin on it. The SS Beezy was created by Shawn when he was inspired on his honeymoon in St. Lucia. This sweet and sour drink tastes like if Sex on the Beach and a Sweet Tart got married.
Shawn Baxter, bartender for Great Southern Café for eight years
Scott: also include in the photos of Great Southern two photos of C-Bar and BFF that are included in the folder in dropbox.
Bud & Alley’s Waterfront Restaurant
A visit to Seaside isn’t complete without a cocktail or meal at Bud & Alley’s Waterfront Restaurant, the longest established restaurant in Walton County. Bud & Alley’s motto is Good Food. Good People. Good Times. The focus is on sea-to-table seasonal menus with fresh ingredients. Head to the newly renovated Rooftop Bar for refreshing hand-crafted cocktails that are almost as delicious as the stunning views of the Gulf and Town of Seaside.
Coconut Mojito
This cocktail is all about vacation vibes. It’s made with coconut rum, lime juice, coconut puree and mint leaves — all fresh, and topped with soda and a lime. Pair it with the stunning view on the Rooftop Bar.
Mo Moseley, Bud & Alley’s Bar Manager for 25 years
Bud & Alley’s Pizza Bar
The newly configured Pizza Bar at Bud & Alley’s now fronts Scenic Highway 30A, making it even more convenient to belly up to the bar for lunch or dinner. The menu of wood-fired pizzas inspired by Naples, Italy, are updated seasonally. The menu also features fresh crisp salads and sharable dishes — the Gulf mahi strips with house-made tartar sauced and charred lemon is a must try. Sit, relax, sip a berry-infused red sangria and watch the day in Seaside unfold.
Red Sangria
This sexy beverage is as refreshing as it is delicious. It’s made with assorted fresh berries and grapes. Add in Ginger Ale, sugar, oranges, lemons, limes, sour mix and Italian wine. Pair it with any pizza pie on the menu. Belissimo!
Cris Ogden, Bud & Alley’s Pizza Bar Manager for 15 years
Bud & Alley’s Taco Bar
Shake the sand off your feet, choose a colorful table steps from the sugar-white sand and get ready to experience South-of-the-Border favorites — Florida style. The beautiful Bud & Alley’s Taco Bar features Baja fish tacos, house-made guacamole, burritos, tacos and Mexican sides. Pair your meal with a top-shelf margarita (watermelon is our favorite) or an ice-cold cerveza for lunch or dinner.
Watermelon Margarita
If you want to taste summer, this is the cocktail for you. This refreshing cocktail is made with watermelon puree, muddled jalapenos, orange liqueur, lime juice, tequila and agave nectar. The perfect pairing for fish tacos.
Tommy O’Drain, Bud & Alley’s Taco Bar Manager for 18 years
