A beach vacation often means lots of fun, innovative co*cktails. Today I’m sharing the best co*cktails in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach!
The Gulf coast of Alabama is one of my favorite destinations. With gorgeous, white, sugar-sand beaches and turquoise waters, it’s a terrific spot for a beach vacation.
There are tons of adventurous things to do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, but the food and co*cktails are a big reason why I keep returning. Here are some of my favorites.
Ruby Sunrise at The Ruby Slipper Cafe
It’s no secret how much I love The Ruby Slipper Cafe. I love their story, their food, and especially their co*cktail motto: “You can’t drink all day if you don’t start in the morning.”
The Ruby Sunrise is a mix of tequila, orange juice, and pomegranate juice, with a slice of lime and a half-salted rim.
But that’s not all I drank at 9 am at The Ruby Slipper Cafe. I also had a Berry Mimosa and an Irish Cream Coffee. You can’t go wrong with any of their Big Easy Mimosas, Bloody Marys, or Morning Margaritas. And don’t forget the Pig Candy Bacon. It’s to die for!
The Bushwacker
The mascot co*cktail of Alabama’s Gulf Coast, the Bushwacker is made with coffee, rums, chocolate liqueurs, and vanilla ice cream, blended into a milkshake-like consistency. It’s the ultimate beach drink. I tried one at almost every restaurant. While it’s hard to pick a favorite, I think the Flora-Bama’s Ole River Grill made one of the best.
Mini’s Maple Magic at The Royal Oyster
The Royal Oyster is a cozy spot serving up fresh, local oysters prepared every which way. I love their laid-back vibe and large wood deck. It reminds me of a seaside shanty.
Mini’s Maple Magic was my co*cktail of choice here. It’s a delicious blend of Maker’s Mark, Bourbon Maple Syrup, lemon, mint, and soda. Extremely tasty with just the right amount of sweetness.
Loopty-Lu from LuLu’s
LuLu’s is not just a restaurant – it’s almost like a theme park. There’s a ropes course, an arcade, beach volleyball, hairwraps, henna, live music and several bars.
Here I tried the Loopty-Lu. It’s a sweet twist on the margarita and made extra fun with the loopy, silly straw. This co*cktail is created with Margaritaville Last Mango Tequila, Deep Eddy Lemon, lemonade, sweet & sour mix, and a splash of Grenadine.
Craft Beer at Luna’s Eat and Drink
Happy Hour is from 2pm – 6pm daily, so stop at Luna’s and get yourself a flight. They have a huge selection of craft beers, many from local breweries.
Luna’s is a family-friendly sports bar and restaurant that serves comfort food “with a touch of soul.” You must try their Tomato Pie or the Beer Cheese Dip!
Mom-osa at GT’s On the Bay
GT’s On the Bay is a beautiful waterfront restaurant where you can enjoy fun co*cktails, live music, good food, and amazing sunsets. It’s also family-friendly with its giant sting-ray viewing tank and outdoor playground.
I had the Mom-osa at GT’s, because every mom deserves something a little extra. It’s like a mimosa, fruity and bubbly, but with Smirnoff Passion Fruit Vodka for a bit of a kick. It goes well withGT’s Dip, made with peppers, corn, bacon & cheese.
Blackberry Mojito at The Gulf
The Gulf is the place to be for Happy Hour on the water! It’s located on… yes, the Gulf, with stunning views, comfy outdoor couches and sandy seating areas. The outdoor bar is warm and inviting. Something about The Gulf just feels… right. You’ll never want to leave.
Their Blackberry Mojito is served in a clear cup with fresh blackberries, mint, and lime. It’s delicious, refreshing, and so Instagram-able!
Yacht Rocker from Fisher’s Upstairs
Fisher’s at Orange Beach Marina has two restaurants: Fishers Dockside for casual dining and Fisher’s Upstairs for upscale, fine dining. It is at Fisher’s Upstairs where I had my favorite co*cktail of all time, the Yacht Rocker.
Created with Luxardo Maraschino Liquer, rye whiskey, demarara, and blood orange bitters, the Yacht Rocker is a marvelous take on the traditional Manhattan. The drink was served over a ball of ice that effectively chilled the co*cktail, but didn’t melt too fast and water it down.
I loved the Yacht Rocker so much that I purchased the ingredients at home to mix up myself many times!
Note: Last time I ate at Fishers Upstairs, this co*cktail was not on the menu. But if you ask for it, they’ll make it for you.
How about when you want to sober up from all those co*cktails? Head to Southern Grind Coffee House. They’ve got some excellent Nitro Cold Brew to accompany your breakfast and give you a caffeine kick!
Best Restaurants in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores
Of course, you need some amazing food to go along with those co*cktails.
After many visits to Alabama’s beaches (and more than one food coma), I’ve put together a list of the best restaurants in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores. Every time I visit, I discover something new and it never disappoints.
