The 28 Best Drinks in Jacksonville
After a long day there is nothing more satisfying than sitting down at a local #OnlyinJax bar and sipping on a hand-crafted beverage.
Made from only the freshest of ingredients, with refreshing juices, invigorating flavors and crisp lip-smacking goodness these locally made drinks are sure to impress. Whether you prefer fruity and sweet, smoky and spicy, or alcoholic or not, Jacksonville’s cocktail scene is the right place for any palate! Below are the top 28 drinks that should not be missed while visiting Jacksonville, organized by neighborhood and in no particular order. We’ll let you be the judge.
Atlantic Beach
1. Azurea Lounge: Honey Lavender Paloma
This tequila-based drink gets a fresh twist with the additions of honey mango and lavender syrups. Squeeze in fresh lemon and grapefruit juice, and you got yourself a Honey Lavender Paloma.
2. Coop 303: Helen Dobson
Talk about a refreshing drink that will quench your thirst. The Helen Dobson is made with Tito’s vodka, elderflower liqueur, simple syrup, fresh lemon juice, mint and watermelon. Perfect for drinking from their rooftop.
3. Grey Matter Distillery: Spicy Vodka Gimlet
Sweet with a kick, this drink packs a punch. Made with mango habanero infused Carve vodka, lime juice and a splash of simple syrup.
Downtown Jacksonville
4. Cowford Chophouse: The Jaguar
Just like the animal, and our NFL team, this drink is sure to have you roaring. The bartenders mix Bacardi white rum, Myers’s dark rum, lime juice, pineapple juice, simple syrup and passion fruit syrup to create this mighty drink.
5. Dos Gatos: The Red Dawn
Do you like Moscow Mules? Try this drink with fresh raspberries, premium vodka, ginger liqueur and ginger beer for a new take on a classic.
6. Estrella Cocina: Because Bananas
If the name didn’t catch your eye, the description will. This concoction is made up of mint, lime, tiki bitters, banana liqueur, banana brown sugar and Zacapa '23.'
7. Manifest Distilling: Signature Cocktail No. 3
This drink is basically an adult snow cone! Bring out your inner child and order this fruity and spicy shaved ice with Manifest botanical gin, mango, yogurt and datil.
8. The Volstead: Baked Apple Sazerac
Apple, cinnamon, Bulleit rye, moonshine and a touch of absinthe create this flaming cocktail. Stay near the bar and become mesmerized by your drink on fire!
Jacksonville Beach
9. Casa Marina Penthouse Lounge: Key Lime Martini
Florida without key lime pie is like Jacksonville without the beach. Good thing at Casa Marina you can have both! Vanilla vodka, lime juice, vanilla liqueur, a splash of half & half and a rim with crushed graham cracker crumbs make this drink perfection. Sip it from their oceanfront rooftop bar!
10. Flask & Cannon: Aku Aku’s Revenge
This unique drink features an apricot liqueur as the star of the show. Mix that with rum, fresh lime, pineapple and mint to finish off this masterpiece of a cocktail.
11. O-Ku: No Turning Back
When there are two liquors in a drink, you know it’s bound to be good, right?! Roku gin, Haku vodka, green chartreuse, lime juice, simple syrup, cucumber and basil make up this cocktail that may have you turning back for another round.
12. TacoLu: Oaxaca Old Fashioned
An old fashioned instead of a margarita at a taco place? You won’t regret it! The bartenders mix together Se Busca Mezcal Añejo, Luxardo cherry, orange, hellfire bitters and agave nectar.
Mandarin
13. ChopHouse Thirteen: ChopHouse 13 Sling
The ingredients include Nolet's gin, brandy, Grand Marnier, cherry liqueur, pineapple juice, lime juice, a splash of soda, garnished with an orange slice and a cherry.
Murray Hill
14. The Walrus: The Dark Horse
This smoothie is made with local-to-Jax Paco's cold brew, coconut cream, cacao powder and banana.
Neptune Beach
15. Flying Iguana: 904
If you’re not shouting DUUUVAL after this drink, then you may need another. Olmeca Altos blanco tequila, prickly pear purée, fresh lemon juice and sparkling wine are the flavors that come together to make this drink.
16. Lemon Bar: Lemon Bar Freeze
Their signature drink, named after the bar itself, combines Stolichnaya Citros vodka and ice cream mix. Drink this on a hot summer day with the beach as your background!
Riverside Avondale
17. Josephine: Strawberry Rhubarb Spritz
This cocktail is an elevated Aperol Spritz made with aperitivo, strawberry, rhubarb, lemon, prosecco and sparkling water. These flavors combined make an unforgettable drink.
18. Mojo No. 4 Urban BBQ & Whiskey Bar: Flying Peach
Who doesn’t love a little sweet and spicy? Larceny bourbon, peach liqueur, jalapeño syrup, lemon and mint make this the perfect pairing to drink alongside Mojo’s delicious barbeque.
19. Restaurant Orsay: Hey Jealousy
The drink name doesn’t lie. Everyone at your table will be jealous they didn’t order this incredible cocktail made with house-infused cucumber gin, St. Germain elderflower liqueur, Aperol, lemon juice and sparkling wine.
20. River & Post: Great Fire
If you like margaritas, you will enjoy this drink named for the 1901 Great Fire of Jacksonville. Get ready for an explosion of flavors from the Maestro Dobel tequila, yellow chartreuse, lime and a lava spice spiced rim.
21. The Greenhouse Bar: Old Hollywood
This smoking cocktail is one for the adventurous! Made with Pasubio vino amaro, vermouth, tobacco, cherry bark bitters, grapefruit, Luxardo cherry and smoked with a blow torch.
22. Wild Crafters: Next Level
Bartenders at this booze-free bar in Five Points put together kava, lavender, thyme, coconut, lime, honey, ginger, and Topo Chico for this tasty beverage.
San Marco
23. bb’s: And then...
This cocktail leaves you on the edge of your seat. What happens next? You decide! The bartenders mix together Minke gin, simple syrup, fresh lemon, cardamom, pineapple juice and tonic for this creation.
24. Grape and Grain Exchange: Gold Rush
You really can’t go wrong with any of the drinks at Grape and Grain Exchange. This is one of their classics made with bourbon, lemon, and honey. Simple but effective.
25. Sidecar: Cactus Jack
This delicious cocktail is made with ghost pepper tequila, aperol, watermelon, lime, blackberry and rhubarb. Don't let the ghost pepper tequila scare you, it's not that bad!
26. Taverna: The G&T
Brizz5 Spanish strawberry gin, black peppercorn tincture, tonic and lemon zest make this cocktail one you’ll be coming back for.
Southside
27. Prati Italia: The Basilico
This drink will transport you to Italy with your first sip. Manifest Gin, Chareau aloe liqueur, homemade basil and rainbow peppercorn syrup, fee foam and lime are combined to make this magnificent cocktail.
Springfield
28. The District: Signature Champagne Cocktails
With different options to choose from like their Strawberry Gin Smash, Peach Bellini, Blushing Mimosa and more, go with a group and have everyone pick something different to try them all.
Cheers! Now it’s your turn to try them (responsibly) and enjoy Jacksonville’s vibrant nightlife. Connect with us on social media be sure to tag your cocktail experience with #OnlyinJax!
This list is routinely updated. If you feel like we are missing something, please email marketing@visitjacksonville.com.
*Updated: June 2023