Hawaii: The Blue Hawaiian

What is better to drink in the beautiful state of Hawaii than a Blue Hawaiian? The answer is nothing. It was first created at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki by their legendary head bartender, Harry Yee in 1957. Since then it remains one of the perfect tropical drinks. There are a number of ways to make the Blue Hawaiian, but the simplest is by combing the ingredients in a shaker with ice and pouring into a hurricane glass. The other most popular way is to combine the ingredients along with ice in a blender for a few seconds to make a frozen treat.

• 1 oz Blue Curacao
• 1 oz White rum
• 3 oz pineapple juice
• 1 oz Sweetened coconut cream

Idaho: Vandal Mule

When you think of Idaho the first thing that comes to mind might just be potatoes. So trying a cocktail with potato vodka is a must in Idaho. The Vandal Mule is a recipe using Idaho’s very own 44º North Idaho Potato Vodka. The recipe calls for the ingredients to be combined and then strained into a copper mug or old fashioned glass over rocks. Finish it off by garnishing with mint. It’s similar to the classic Moscow Mule but what makes this cocktail special is the home grown potato vodka.

• 2 oz North Idaho Potato vodka
• 1 oz Lime juice
• 2 oz Ginger beer

Illinois: Irish Coffee

St. Patricks Day might be the biggest holiday in Chicago, Illinois, so it is no surprise you can find some of the best Irish Coffee in the country here. A hot cup is just the thing to get through the cold winter. The best recipes start by warming your glass with boiling water for five seconds. After pouring the water out add brown sugar and Irish whiskey into the glass. Then fill the glass with coffee and stir well. Make sure to leave some room on top to add whipped cream. A trick is to pour the whipped cream over the back of a spoon so that it floats nicely on the top of the drink.

• 1 1/2 oz Irish whiskey
• 6 oz hot coffee
• 1/4 cup whipped cream
• 1 tsp brown sugar

Indiana: Sidecar

Thousands of people flock to Indiana every year for the Indy 500 races so it is only natural for Indiana’s cocktail to be the Sidecar, a classic drink that anyone can enjoy while watching the exciting event. The recipe is simple, first coat the rim of the glass with sugar and set aside. Then add all the ingredients into a shaker with ice before straining over the glass. Finally garnish it with an orange twist and your ready to go.

• 1 1/2 oz Cognac
• 3/4 oz Cointreau
• 3/4 oz Lemon juice
• 2 tbsp Sugar
• 1 Orange slice

Iowa: The Iowa Sunrise

It is said that on a chilly morning in Iowa, at just the right moment, you can see the most beautiful sunrises over the corn fields. These colors are reflected in the Iowa Sunrise if made just right. The key ingredient to give it its color and sweet flavor is strawberry simple syrup. To make the syrup you combine sugar, water, and strawberries in a small saucepan over high heat. As it comes to a boil mash the strawberries and let simmer for about 30 second. After letting the syrup cool completely, strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove the seeds. You can then add the syrup with rum, orange juice, pineapple juice, and ice in a shaker and shake well. Pour the mixture into a glass and top off with club soda and garnish with an orange slice.

Strawberry simple syrup

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 3 to 4 strawberries

Iowa Sunrise

• 2 oz Spiced rum
• 1/2 oz Strawberry simple syrup
• Juice from 1/2 an orange
• 1 1/2 oz Pineapple juice
• 2 oz Club soda