Cocktails are an art form—a concoction of flavors and colors, often a playful exploration of science, layered with fruit or topped with umbrellas, creating a sight to behold and a thirst-quenching taste sip after sip. From sweet to smoky, bright to bold, we’ve curated some of the best cocktails across the Bay.
The Doppelgänger
Jekyll Hyde Park – Brandon Williams: Bartender
At Jekyll Hyde Park, each signature cocktail pays homage to a theme from “Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” with one standout being The Doppelganger.
Drawing inspiration from Edgar Allan Poe’s “William Wilson,” this libation embodies “The Double,” as it’s a double in both name and content. Balancing sweet, sour and bitter notes, the flavor is surpassed only by its presentation as the top of the cocktail is a replica of Jekyll’s ceiling.
1500 W. Swann Ave., Tampa | (813) 358-2037
The Doppelgänger
Forbidden Rice-Infused Dark Door Lavender Gin
Liquore Strega
Hibiscus Strawberry Shrub
Lemon
Egg White
Rose Water
Car 3
CW Gin Joint – Roger McQueen: Head Mixologist
Where style and grace have attitude. CW’s Gin Joint is a throwback to a time when fine spirits were savored in an atmosphere that exuded style and gentility, where elegant spirits are enjoyed in a refined and sophisticated ambiance. Under the direction of proprietor Carolyn Wilson, a team of specialists has crafted a delightful and delectable menu, expertly pairing it with our carefully curated libations.
633 N. Franklin St., Tampa | (813) 816-1446
Car 3
Los Siete Misterios Mezcal
Passion Fruit
Lime, Agave
Eddie’s Original Pepper Jam
Georgia Peach
The Nash Keys Dueling Piano Bar – Alexis Walton: Lead Bartender
The Georgia Peach, a refreshing concoction crafted by the owner’s wife while they were dating, is just one of the many specialty cocktails available at The Nash Keys Dueling Piano Bar.
This Clearwater venue with a Nashville twist offers delightful libations, tempting food specials and an all-request live piano show for a complete night out.
528 Cleveland St., Clearwater | (803) 881-6274
Georgia Peach
Woodford Reserve Bourbon
Sweet & Sour Mix
Peach Purée
Luxardo Cherry
Lime
High Roller
Latitude 28 at JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa – Michelle Begley: Director of Restaurants
At Latitude 28, where a coastal-inspired menu meets Mediterranean flavors and locally sourced ingredients, indulge in a twist of the classic Smoked Old Fashioned: The High Roller. This cocktail artfully blends the bold essence of Maker’s Mark Cask Strength Bourbon with the sweet complexity of Osborne Pedro Ximenez Sherry. Each sip embodies a symphony of smoky sophistication and velvety richness, promising a sensory journey unlike any other.
691 S Gulfview Blvd., Clearwater Beach | (727) 604-6128
High Roller
Makers Mark Cask Strength Bourbon
Osborne Pedro Ximenez Sherry
Demerara
Dastardly Devil
Beacon at JW Marriott Tampa Water Street – Michael Raines, Lead Bartender
Boosted by Rosaluna mezcal’s subtle smokiness and the bright spiciness of Aperol house-infused with Thai chilis, Dastardly Devil is layered with senses-enlivening and palette-lingering flavors.
The bright orange cocktail is balanced with tart lime juice, falernum liqueur and classic orgeat syrup for nutty-sweetness, and dashes of peach bitters and smoked chili bitters to round out the profile. Dastardly Devil is served up in a Nick and Nora glass, which concentrates the aroma of the cocktail and helps keep the drink colder longer by minimizing contact with the air.
510 Water St., Tampa | (813) 314-6605
Dastardly Devil
Rosaluna mezcal
Thai chili-infused Aperol
Bitter Truth falernum
Orgeat
Lime
Peach bitters
Chili bitters
Tang-Tini
GenX Tavern – Dean Jones: Bar/FOH Manager
Downtown Tampa’s best party spot 7 days a week! Featuring a comprehensive dining menu, inventive signature cocktails, and full bar, GenX Tavern celebrates all things 80′ & 90′ with a modern flare.
103 E. Jackson St., Tampa | (813) 694-7001
Tang-Tini
Gin
Triple Sec
Agave Nectar
Fresh Lemon Juice
1 Tang
Orange Marmalade
Orange Blossom Water
Bahama Mama
Enjoy a fresh tropical drink paired perfectly with wild, locally caught seafood served by the friendliest staff in Tampa under the best sunset views you can imagine.
Shalt Shack never disappoints in providing a memorable experience for you and your loved ones.
5415 W. Tyson Ave., Tampa | (813) 444-4569
Bahama Mama
Myers’s Dark rum
Bacardi Coconut rum
Captain White rum
Crème De banana
Fresh-squeezed Orange juice and Pineapple juice
Grenadine
Sprite
The Upside Down
Mise en Place – Gary Daily: Cocktail Professor
Mise en Place’s cocktail menu draws from the restaurant’s culinary spirit, offering a uniquely gastronomic experience. The Upside Down, inspired by pineapple upside-down cake, balances classic dessert flavors with bright summertime touches.
442 W. Grand Central Ave., Tampa | (813) 254-5373
The Upside Down
EG Organic Vodka
Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
Clarified Acidulated Pineapple
Pineapple White Wine Shrub
House-Made Spice Dram
Tiki Bitters
House-Made Cherry Pineapple Gummies
N Florida Ave Margarita
The Dan at Hotel Flor Tampa Downtown
Inspired by the spirit of the Roaring Twenties and Hotel Flor’s original Sapphire Lounge, The Dan is a modern take on old-school speakeasies.
Feast on Gulf Coast cuisine and sip on unique, handcrafted cocktails like the N Florida Ave Margarita – a refreshing elixir crafted with El Tesoro Reposado, St. George Spiced Pear Liqueur, Cointreau, lime and lemon juice, hibiscus syrup, and garnished with a hibiscus flower.
905 N. Florida Ave., Tampa | (813) 318-9719
N Florida Ave Margarita
El Tesoro Reposado
St. George Spiced Pear Liqueur
Cointreau
Lime Juice
Lemon Juice
Hibiscus Syrup
Smoking In Bed
A vibrant neighborhood bistro, the cocktail menu at Wild Child is revered for its expansive flavor profiles from the fruit-forward Tiger Lily to the newly added Smoking In Bed with Chichicapa mezcal.
2710 Central Ave., St. Petersburg | (727) 954-7425
Matcha Martini
Tori Bar – Scott Stodghill: Lead Bartender
Tori Bar’s Asian-inspired menu extends to the cocktail menu with the Matcha Martini, made with house-brewed matcha tea, almond milk and Suntory Roku Gin. It’s a perfect solo indulgence or paired with the Matcha Crème Brulee.
442 W. Grand Central Ave. Suite 190, Tampa | (813) 252-3839
Sakura Blossom
Fortu – David Močilan: Lead Bartender
Specializing in the art of Pan-Asian fusion cuisine, Fortu’s signature cocktail, the Sakura Blossom, is an ode to spring. This milk punch features notes of cherry blossom, lychee, gin and vermouth, garnished with a fresh flower.
95 Central Ave., St. Petersburg | (727) 256-0268
Pea Valley Cocktail
Lepley’s Kitchen & Lounge – Jamal Sanders: Lead Bartender
Specializing in the fusion of American, Caribbean and Southern flavors, the Pea Valley Cocktail combines fresh basil, blueberry syrup and pea flower tea for a sensory journey that balances tartness with sweet.
6310 N. Florida Ave., Tampa| (813) 405-8704
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Hayli Zuccola – Photography by Gabriel Burgos
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