By Nanette Wiser
POUR MORE Chatting with bartenders, I always ask for a smooth alternative to top shelf vodkas like Goose for craft cocktails. I love Eleven and recently discovered Ice Pik Vodka, made in Florida, naturally gluten free and eight times distilled for a clean crisp drinking experience. It’s available at Leukens and Detroit Liquor in downtown St. Pete as well as Sea Dog Brewing Co. in Treasure Island (check out their Ice Pik Vodka Lemonade on tap in blueberry, strawberry, mango, black cherry, raspberry, and peach) and Teak Bar. My favorite is their Blueberry flavored.
White Tee Shots 4 oz Ice Pik Vodka, 2 oz of Peach Schnapps, 1 oz of fresh lime juice, splash of club soda. Shake it up and pour out into four shot glasses.
Daybreaker Take a pint glass and fill it with ice. Add 2 oz of Ice Pik Vodka, 1 oz of blackberry liqueur and top off with pineapple and orange juice.
IRISH EYES We’re not waiting till St. Patrick’s Day to warm up with Irish Coffee at all our favorite watering holes. A hot beverage is made with coffee, whiskey, and cream, and it is usually served with a spoonful of sugar or whipped cream to balance out the drink’s bitterness. We like to sip this at Beans & Barlour, Ruth Chris, Flute & Dram, Intermezzo, Finley’s Irish Pub and Chill Restaurant. At home, I like to pizzazz it up with Bailey’s Original Irish Cream in both the traditional and salted caramel, vanilla cinnamon or red velvet cupcake flavors, a perfect late night Valentine delight.
Irish Coffee 2 oz. Bailey’s, 6 oz. hot coffee, 1 oz. Irish whiskey. Combine Baileys, coffee, and Irish Whiskey in a tall Irish Coffee glass. Top with whipped cream.
SPIRITED TOURS Paradise Tours and Transportation Service offers a spirited tour starting at Try Wine in Downtown St. Pete with a curated, self-serve wine tasting experience. Then it’s hop on the comfortable bus and ride down Central Avenue with a stop at Tru by Hilton and a view of the city from the rooftop lounge, then on to Birchwood Canopy Bar and Restaurant for a stunning vista. You can stay for dinner and drinks and dancing or return on the bus to Try Wine. This is a 90-minute tour starting at sunset. 727-417-8036. You can explore the GULP COAST craft breweries and fill out your beer passport that guides you to tasting rooms. www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/eat-drink/gulp-coast-craft-brewery-passport or meander on the Florida Distillery Trail hosted by the Florida Craft Spirits Association including St. Petersburg Distillery, Tarpon Springs Distillery, Kozuba & Sons Distillery and more.