We haven’t escaped the cold weather yet, but things always start to heat up when March rolls around. Jax locals are beginning to crave sunny days on the beach, boozy happy hours outdoors and fun cruises on the boat. Whether you prefer tequila, bourbon or something in between, the Valley Smoke team is here with some tasty favorites to try this season. 

Pioneer Mule

While we don’t reveal our exact recipes for Valley Smoke’s house cocktails, we can definitely point you in the right direction. The Pioneer Mule is our take on the classic Moscow Mule. Trust us, you’ll want more than one. 

Ingredients:

1.5 oz. Wheatley Vodka by Buffalo Trace

2 oz. Fever Tree Ginger Beer

1 oz. Domaine De Canton Ginger Liqueur

.5 oz. Agave Nectar

Juice of ½ a lime

Squeeze the fresh lime into a classic copper mule glass. Add ice and the remaining ingredients. Stir, then garnish with a lime pinwheel.  

Valley Girl

Do you love a luxurious French 75? Us too! That’s why we created our own take on the decades-old favorite. The Valley Girl is a staple all year-round at Valley Smoke, and that’s because It strikes the right balance between sweet, sour and strong. 

Ingredients

2 oz. Grey Goose Vodka

1 oz. St. Germain

1 oz. Thatcher’s Blood Orange

Juice of ½ a lemon

Splash of Simple Syrup

3 oz. Sparkling Wine

Shake the first five ingredients together with ice. Strain into a cocktail glass, then top with the sparkling wine. Garnish with a lemon twist. 

Cucumber Basil Gimlet

Another one of Valley Smoke’s signature recipes. This is a bit different than the classic Gimlet, but we promise it won’t disappoint. Want to hear a secret? The Cucumber Basil Gimlet our bartenders make is the best on the planet. We have no doubt your at-home version will be a close second.

Ingredients

2 oz. Nolet’s Gin

1 oz. St. Germain

Juice of ½ a lime

Splash of Simple Syrup

Add the ingredients into a chilled cocktail shaker. Fill with ice and shake until cold. Strain into a glass. Garnish with a lime wheel, large stem of basic and a few slices of cucumber. 

Start Your Spring Season at Valley Smoke

There’s no better place to spend a warm afternoon and evening than cozied up to some views of the Intracoastal. Grab some cocktails and a meal with us, check out the great boats cruising by and relax for awhile. Curious about our seasonal food and drinks? Take a look at our menu then make your reservation