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The 2020 college football season may be a bit different, but you can still tailgate at home. For all you UF fans out there, here’s a cocktail that you’ll only want to put down to do a quick gator chomp before getting right back to the drinking. The Gator mixes Florida Vodka, Orange Gatorade (invented by UF) and Lemon Juice. Finished off with homemade vanilla simple syrup, this drink is basically an adult Creamsicle. Check out our recommendations below for the best Vodkas distilled in Florida and help support local Florida distilleries. We hope you enjoy The Gator Cocktail. Go Gators!
What Ingredients Do I Need To Make The Gator?
The Alcohol
The Vodka: Florida has plenty of fantastic options for smooth vodkas that go perfectly in The Gator. Our go to pick for best value is Coast made by Kozuba and Sons Distillery which you can pick up in ABC Fine Wine & Spirits. This silky vodka not only goes down easy, but some of each sale goes to the Florida Conservation Association. If that wasn’t enough, it comes in an affordable 1.75L box. So it’s preserving your wallet as well as Florida’s coastline!
If you want something a bit more premium, then we’d recommend E11even which is the official vodka of the E11even nightclub in Miami. This ultra-smooth premium vodka is produced by Miami Rum Company which is owned by one of the few black owned distilling companies: Toast Distillers.
Recommended Florida Vodka:
Best Value Florida Vodka:
Best Premium Florida Vodka:
Get these vodkas delivered right to your door by DRIZLY. Click and use code DRIZLYDEAL for $5 off of your first order.
The Mixers
The Gatorade: This University of Florida cocktail simply had to include Gatorade. For those of you that don’t know, Gatorade was invented by the University of Florida.
In 1965 a Gators coach met with a team of physicians from UF’s College of Medicine to discuss a remedy to the significant weight loss and heat stroke that was plaguing his players. The researchers, led by Dr. Robert Cade, soon discovered that training and playing in the brutal Florida heat was resulting in players losing key components through sweating. Salt, Carbohydrates (sugar) and Electrolytes. The lab set about creating a formula that would replace these elements. Thus, the energy drink used by sports men and women across the globe was born. In honor of it’s UF origins, it was named Gatorade.
Did it work you ask? Well, a year later in 1966 the Gators went 9-2 winning the Orange Bowl for the first time in their history. The drink can now be found on the sidelines of college football fields across the nation as well as being the official drink of the NFL, NBA, PGA, MLB and MLS. I’d say that the Gators did good.
For this cocktail recipe use orange Gatorade to give it that shade of UF orange, we used full sugar, but the lower sugar versions will also work fine.
Recommended Juicer: Gatorade Original Thirst Quencher, Orange- 12 Count
The Sweetener: For The Gator we use our homemade vanilla simple syrup. This simple syrup is ridiculously easy to make, and mixed with the orange Gatorade, it makes this drink taste like a Creamsicle!
The Citrus: There is a lot of sweetness in this drink, so lemon juice is added to balance that out. If your local store or market sells Florida lemons, then great- if not you may have to make do with those from our Californian cousins who grow most of the country’s lemons. You can squeeze lemons with your hands, but this won’t yield as much juice. It is also messy! We recommend buying a juicer, they are fantastic. We use a Zulay citrus press which handles both lemons and limes with equally perfect results.
Recommended Juicer: Zulay Premium Citrus Press
What Equipment Should I Use To Make The Gator?
The Glass: Serve The Gator in any kind of tumbler glass. We use a double rocks glass (also called a double old fashioned glass). This is a great style of glass to have at the ready, as it is a versatile glass for all other kinds of cocktails.
Recommended Glass: MARQUIS By Waterford Double Old Fashioned/Rocks Glasses, Set of 4
The Shaker: Get yourself a good quality cocktail shaker that stands out on your bar cart. Our favorite shaker is the exquisitely designed patterned brass shaker from Absolut Elyx Boutique. You can get $15 off your first order by using this link.
Recommended cocktail shaker: ABSOLUT ELYX BOUTIQUE Brass Patterned Cocktail Shaker. (Use this link to get $15 off your first order)
How Should I Serve The Gator?
Shaken or Stirred: Shake this cocktail with plenty of ice to ensure that the Gatorade gets properly mixed in with the rest of the ingredients. If you are on the hunt for a new cocktail shaker, then we love the beautifully designed brass shaker from Absolut Elyx Boutique. You can get $15 off your first order by using this link.
Straight up or on the rocks: On the rocks. Serve this refreshing drink over plenty of ice.
The Garnish: Place a lemon wedge on the edge of the glass. If you are University of Florida Alumni, then stick a mini UF flag in the top.
We hope you enjoy The Gator recipe below, and as always drink local and drink responsibly. Cheers, and go Gators!
This post contains affiliate links and I may earn a small commission when purchases of recommended products are made. This is at no additional cost to you, and every penny we make goes back into buying and trying more tasty Floridian tipples.
The Gator Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz Florida Vodka
- 1.5 oz Orange Gatorade
- 1 oz Vanilla Simple Syrup
- 0.75 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Add Vodka, Gatorade, Simple Syrup and Lemon Juice, to a cocktail shaker with ice
- Step 2: Shake for 15-20 seconds
- Step 4: Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice
- Garnish with a wedge of lemon and a Gators flag
Other Florida Cocktail Recipes To Try:
