Crowd-Pleasing Cocktails for Your Next Friends’ Trip

Celebrating your 70th birthday in the Outer Banks with four of your closest friends is a moment that calls for something special. As you gather to mark this milestone in one of your favorite vacation spots, there’s nothing like a round of expertly crafted cocktails to set the mood. My faves are the refreshing, island-inspired drinks infused with fresh fruits, herbs, and just the right amount of flavor that’s different from what I’d have on an average weekend dinner out. Ya gotta love those tangy citrus blends and coconut-kissed sips that are OOOHH so special. Somehow they make a night with friends that much more special.

When you’ve gotten this old you know that cocktails are more than just drinks, they’re a part of what makes it a celebration. Make it fun and get everyone involved in creating new recipes by turning it into a group activity where each friend shares their own cocktail creation. Whip up large batches of sangrias, punch bowls, or frozen delights to keep the glasses full throughout the day as you relax by the beach or pool. Sip, laugh, and reminisce about those things that have become secrets between friends and turn your birthday celebration one that you won’t forget.

Yacht Life Vodka

Sun Deck Martini

• 2 oz Yacht Life Vodka
• ½ oz Licor 43
• 1 oz Lemon Juice
• 1 oz Simple Syrup
• ½ oz Aquafaba
• 1 oz Champagne
• Fresh ground black pepper

Shake and strain, then top off with champagne and a dash of fresh ground black pepper

Salt Spray Spritzer

• 2 oz. Yacht Life Vodka
• 2.5 oz. Fresh Grapefruit Juice
• Sparkling Water
• Coarse salt
• 1 lemon wedge
• ½ grapefruit wheel for garnish (optional)

Rub the outer rim of an old-fashioned glass or an 8-ounce wine glass with lemon wedge; roll rim in salt. Fill the glass with ice cubes then top with vodka and fresh grapefruit juice. Stir gently to mix. Top with sparkling water. Garnish with grapefruit and enjoy.

 

Loca Loka tequila

Loco Coco Cooler

Ingredients

• 2 oz Loca Loka tequila
• 3 oz Coconut Water
• 1/2 oz lime juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• Lime wheel for garnish
• Toasted coconut flakes for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. In a shaker, combine the tequila, coconut water, lime juice, and simple syrup.
3. Shake well and strain into the prepared glass.
4. Garnish with a lime wheel and toasted coconut flakes (if using).
5. Sit back, relax, and sip on this refreshing coconut concoction!

DEEP EDDY Vodka

Texas Madras

Ingredients

• 2 oz. Deep Eddy Orange Vodka
• 3 oz. Cranberry Juice
• 1 oz. Club Soda
• Fresh Mint Leaves

Directions
Combine all ingredients and serve over ice. Garnish with fresh mint leaves.

Classic Bloody Mary

Ingredients

• 2 oz. Deep Eddy Original Vodka
• Top with Bloody Mary Mix

Directions
Pour Deep Eddy Original Vodka into a Collins glass, add ice, and top with Bloody Mary Mix. Stir thoroughly. Garnish with celery, lime, and olives. Add cracked pepper, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, or horseradish to taste.

 

Literati Spirits collection

Lavender Lemonade

Ingredients

• 1 ounce Literati Spirits Lizzie vodka
• ½ ounce fresh lemon juice
• ¼ ounce lavender syrup

Instructions

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, add Lizzie vodka, lemon juice and lavender syrup. Shake well.
Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a lemon slice and sprig of lavender.

Earl Grey Mar-Tea-Ni

Ingredients

• 2 ounces Darcy Earl Grey Twist Vodka
• 6 ounces Earl grey tea
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed

Instructions

1. Brew 4 cups Earl Grey tea and chill in refrigerator.
2. Add Darcy Earl Grey Twist Vodka, fresh tea and lemon juice into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
3. Shake for 20 seconds and strain into a martini glass.
4. Garnish with a lemon twist. (Of course!)

HIGHCLERE CASTLE GIN

Bee’s Knees

• 2 oz Highclere Castle Gin
• ¾ oz honey syrup (mix equal parts honey and hot water, then cool)
• ¾ oz freshly squeezed lemon juice

In a shaker, add Highclere Castle Gin, honey syrup, and lemon juice. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 10 seconds. Strain the mixture into your favorite cocktail glass. Garnish with a twist of lemon peel or with a sage or mint leaf.

• Garnish: Sage or mint leaf

Interesting note: Made from botanicals sourced from the estate better known to millions as “The Real Downton Abbey.” The 8th Earl and Countess of Carnarvon who currently reside in the castle are co-founders of the brand.

 

TIMBERLINE VODKA

Sunshine Daydream

• 2 oz Timberline® Vodka
• ½ oz Nonino Amaro
• ½ oz Fresh Orange Juice
• ½ oz Fresh Lemon Juice

Combine all ingredients into a shaker. Shake, strain, serve up and garnish with a dehydrated orange wheel.

• Garnish: Dehydrated Orange Wheel

Interesting note: Made from grain, non-GMO apples from the PNW and glacier-fed spring water. Partnered with The Freshwater Trust.

 

FILMLAND SPIRITS

Mayhem! Mai Tai

• 2 oz Moonlight Mayhem! Small Batch Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• ½  oz Amaro Angeleno
• 3/8 oz Lemon Juice
• 3/8 oz Lime Juice
• ¾  oz Orgeat

Shake all ingredients with three ice cubes. Strain into a double old-fashioned glass. Top with crushed iced and garnish with pineapple fronds.

• Garnish: Pineapple Fronds

Interesting note: Each whiskey in the Filmland Spirits portfolio is inspired by an original B-movie script and comes with a movie poster as a label.

Broken Shed Vodka

Batten Down the Hatches

Once and flor-al, indulge in this easy-to-make cocktail that’s blooming with bright, floral flavor and heightened and brightened with lavender bitters.

Ingredients

• 2 oz Broken Shed Vodka
• 0.75 oz white quinquina
• 0.25 oz crème de violette
• 1 dash lavender bitters
• Garnish: 1 lemon twist

Directions

Add ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake and double strain into a chilled Nick & Nora glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Kilinga

AUTUMN BREEZE

Indulge in the delightful Autumn Breeze cocktail, a captivating symphony of flavors that gracefully sweeps you away to a serene autumn landscape. With its enchanting blend of Kilinga’s Blanco smoky, sweet, and earthy tones, this drink becomes a testament to the exquisite beauty and magnificence of the season

Fresh Victor

Fresh Victor is a line of premium mixers for consistently delicious and efficient cocktails (and mocktails too.)

Dark and Fruity

Ingredients

• 1 part Fresh Victor Cactus Pear & Pomegranate
• 1 part Irish stout beer
• Cinnamon

Directions

1. Add both ingredients in equal amounts;
2. Dust with cinnamon.

 

Lustau

Lustau Manzanilla Papirusa

Bright yellow with golden reflections, this Manzanilla is a product of the cool, humid, and salty air of Sanlúcar de Barrameda, a fishing town on the Guadalquivir River. Aged under a veil of yeast called “flor,” Manzanilla Papirusa offers sea breeze scents intertwined with chamomile and flor aromas. Bone dry and light, this sherry is refreshingly crisp, with a subtle hint of sea salt on the palate and a lingering, delicate acidity. The name “Papirusa,” meaning “elegant and beautiful,” was inspired by a doll given by Emilio Lustau to the daughter of Joaquín Burgos, the first manager of Bodegas Lustau.  It’s dry profile goes particularly well with olives, oysters, fish, seafood and Jamón Serrano. Manzanilla is also an excellent combo with sushi and it makes a great, refreshing spritz or cocktail.

LAST WORD

• .75oz Lustau Manzanilla Papirusa
• .5oz Tanqueray 10 Gin
• .75oz Green Chartreuse
• .75oz Lime juice
• .25oz Luxardo Maraschino
• Garnish: Maraschino cherry

 

As Halloween approaches, set the mood with a glass of Lustau’s Amontillado Sherry. Like Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado,” this sherry offers a rich, layered experience that perfectly complements the cool, autumnal season.

Lustau’s Amontillado, aged in Bodega Emperatriz Eugenia in Jerez, boasts a nutty, rich flavor and amber hue, making it the ideal drink for Halloween festivities. Its versatility shines whether paired with roasted meats, seafood, or in cocktails like the “Bamboo Revisited.” Serve it slightly chilled and enjoy its deep flavors long after Halloween.

SHERRY MOJITO

• 1oz Lustau Amontillado Los Arcos Sherry.
• 1oz El Dorado White Rum.
• .75oz Lime Juice.
• .5oz Simple Syrup.
• 8-10 mint leaves.

Top with Club Soda.

Garnish: Mint Sprig.

 

Surfside Iced Tea + Vodka

A line of premium iced tea + vodka canned cocktails that signal easy-drinking and good vibes ahead. At 4.5% ABV, Surfside is made with premium vodka and real tea with just 2g of sugar, 100 calories and 0 bubbles. Varieties of this “Sunshine in a Can” include Iced Tea + Vodka, Peach Tea + Vodka, Half & Half + Vodka and Lemonade + Vodka.  New for summer 2024 the brand has announced Surfside Raspberry Lemonade + Vodka, Surfside Strawberry Lemonade + Vodka, Surfside Black Cherry Lemonade + Vodka, Surfside Raspberry Tea + Vodka and Surfside Green Tea + Vodka.

• NEW Surfside Raspberry Lemonade + Vodka (4.5% ABV): A quintessentially summer combination of natural raspberry flavors and lemonade.
• NEW Surfside Strawberry Lemonade + Vodka (4.5% ABV): A summer staple for enjoyment at any time, Strawberry Lemonade + Vodka brings the good vibes.
• NEW Surfside Black Cherry Lemonade + Vodka (4.5% ABV): Natural black cherry flavor and Lemonade, the Surfside way.
• NEW Surfside Raspberry Tea + Vodka (4.5% ABV): A fruit-forward flavor of the Iced Tea + Vodka that put Surfside on the map.
• NEW Surfside Green Tea + Vodka (4.5% ABV): Made with premium vodka and real green tea with notes of honey and ginseng, this summer sipper will keep you cool all season.
• NEW Surfside Lemonade Pack: 2 cans Lemonade + Vodka, 2 cans Raspberry Lemonade + Vodka, 2 cans Strawberry Lemonade + Vodka, 2 cans Black Cherry Lemonade + Vodka
• ORIGINAL Surfside Iced Tea + Vodka (4.5% ABV): Crafted with premium vodka and real black tea, for high-quality taste and enjoyment.
• ORIGINAL Surfside Peach Iced Tea + Vodka (4.5% ABV): The first flavored tea from the brand giving the same taste we know and love with a big ol’ punch of peach.
• ORIGINAL Surfside Half & Half + Vodka (4.5% ABV): A refreshing twist on the classic, half iced tea and half lemonade.
• ORIGINAL Surfside Lemonade + Vodka (4.5% ABV): A delicious summer staple made with natural lemon flavors and premium vodka.
• ORIGINAL Surfside Starter Variety Pack: 2 cans Iced Tea + Vodka, 2 cans Peach Iced Tea + Vodka, 2 cans Half & Half + Vodka, 2 cans Lemonade + Vodka

Buy Here

Barcoop Bevy 

The line of handcrafted cocktail mixers made by bar enthusiasts with all-natural, quality ingredients. Stemming from deep roots in the restaurant and bar industry, husband-and-wife team Joe and MariElena Raya created Barcoop Bevy to simplify the process of making craft cocktails at home that don’t fall short on flavor or quality. Even the cocktail connoisseurs will be impressed by the quality and taste!

Below are just a couple examples of Barcoop Bevy’s mixers, perfect for the host to serve at their beach house retreat. They truly take the work out of making cocktails to serve a group, you simply add booze (or soda water for a delicious mocktail) and pour over ice (or throw in the blender for a frozen beverage)!

• Smokey Bloody Mary, $12 / This is a brand new mixer from Barcoop Bevy that boasts a unique flavor profile full of smoky and savory notes complemented by a bright tomato taste and a hint of heat. Its simple yet robust list of real ingredients includes Worcestershire, vinegar, molasses, garlic, celery seed, dried chiles, and smoked sea salt from Bulls Bay Saltworks, ensuring a flavorful experience.
• Cucumber Mojito, $12 / This cocktail mixture combines a sweet and tart combination of lime juice and Florida golden cane sugar with a hint of cucumber and mint. This mixer is nice and refreshing, perfect for a warm day at the beach.

BUZZBAR®

The world’s first and only line of alcohol-infused ice cream and sorbet bars for adults. Our mission at BUZZBAR is simple: to create the best-tasting ice cream and sorbet experiences for grown-ups. Combining our love for ice cream with our passion for fine libations, we embarked on a journey, sampling the finest creations from around the world. After painstaking experimentation, the perfect blend was discovered in 2013, giving birth to BUZZBAR. This unique luxury novelty offers a gratifying indulgence for those seeking a sophisticated treat.

BUZZBAR’s rich dairy ice cream bars are hand-dipped in velvety chocolate, while the refreshing vegan sorbet bars are crafted with the finest whole food ingredients, both infused with just the right amount of spirits! Whether you’re dining out, staying at a hotel, attending a theater, lounging at a beach club, or relaxing poolside, BUZZBARs can be enjoyed solo or paired with a specialty cocktail for an elevated indulgence.  Flavors include Pineapple Buzz (spiced rum), Majestic Mango (silver tequila), Blitzed Berry (rum), Buzz Café (Irish cream liqueur), Merlot Berry (merlot wine), and more!

Cheers! Salut! Sláinte! Prost! Santé! Cin Cin! L’Chaim!