Cheers! A Toast to the Coast

Along the Emerald Coast, cocktails arrive as cold, equal parts spectacle and refreshment.

At Daytrader Tiki in Seaside, the escape begins the moment you trade your flip-flops for a barstool. Nikhil Abuvala’s concept leans into “chic tiki” with intention—no clichés, no shortcuts—just balanced, fresh cocktails served in vintage glassware or, in the case of the showstopping Remedy, an IV-style pouch that dangles above your glass.

His reimagined Mai Tai blends passionfruit, pineapple, fresh lime, orgeat, and a punch of Wray & Nephew overproof rum with aged Jamaican rum, sharpened by cranberry bitters and finished with freshly grated nutmeg. It’s theatrical, yes, but grounded in craft—best paired with a snack of Polynesian boiled peanuts served cheekily in a Spam can.

Over in Grayton Beach, Chiringo captures the freewheeling spirit of a global beach bar.

Photo by Savvibelle Photography LLC courtesy of Chiringo

“Our menu is a collection of beach-inspired food and drink from all regions, a celebration of vacation, where everyone is the best version of themselves,” says owner Andrew McKoski.

Steps from the Gulf and weathered by salt air, the no-frills hangout hums with an eclectic crowd—locals, spring breakers, and off-duty executives alike—drawn to easygoing cocktails like the Hotz Summer or the frosty Billy Ocean.

Few drinks feel as synonymous with the coast as the Bushwacker, and Sandshaker in Pensacola claims bragging rights as its stateside birthplace. The story goes that Linda Taylor Murphy brought the recipe home from St. Thomas in 1975, and decades later, each batch is still mixed by hand, rum added last. The result is a boozy milkshake—rich, chocolatey, and dangerously smooth—with variations like banana and strawberry that lean into the dessert side of the spectrum.

Further east, Juana’s Pagodas in Navarre keeps the tradition alive with its cult-favorite Juanawacker, a closely guarded family recipe built on rum, Kahlúa, and chocolate liqueur. Add a floater—banana, raspberry, even peanut butter whiskey—for a custom kick, then sip beneath swaying palapas, preferably after arriving by boat.

And in Panama City Beach, Pineapple Willy’s delivers a drink as iconic as its sunset views.

“It’s incredibly refreshing … bright pineapple up front, followed by a smooth, slightly creamy finish,” says marketing director Jared Knetzer of the signature Pineapple Willy, a blend of light rum, Myers’s Platinum, pineapple juice, and cream of coconut.

As the sun dips below the horizon, cocktails in hand, the crowd turns toward the water—an unspoken ritual that feels new every night.

Photo Courtesy of Bud & Alley’s

Sunset Sips:

ROOFTOPS, RITUALS, AND LIVE MUSIC

For a front-row seat to the Emerald Coast’s nightly spectacle, Bud & Alley’s Waterfront Restaurant in Seaside sets the gold standard. Just before sunset, guests drift to the breezy rooftop, drinks in hand—perhaps a crisp wine or one of the house “Mo-garitas,” named for longtime barkeep Mo Moseley, in flavors like watermelon or pineapple jalapeño. As the sky softens to gold, a staff member rings the iconic bell, signaling the moment. Glasses clink, applause ripples, and those lucky enough to guess the exact second of sunset may even win a complimentary cocktail.

In Destin, Skybar at the Edge offers a different vantage point, floating directly on the harbor. Equal parts lounge and lookout, it pairs fire pits, a boogie lounge vibe, and sweeping water views with a sense of purpose through its “Cocktails That Care” program, which supports local charities monthly. It’s the kind of place where sunset lingers a little longer, especially with a drink in hand and boats drifting by.

Set along the Choctawhatchee Bay on Okaloosa Island, The Gulf is all about golden hour. Built from shipping containers and reclaimed materials, the breezy, mostly outdoor setup—think lounge seating and picnic tables in the sand—offers front-row views of the sky’s nightly show. Grab a tropical Surf’s Up layered with rum and bright juices, or a Spicy Blackberry Jalapeño Margarita with just enough heat to linger, settle in with a smoked tuna dip, and let the music, the breeze, and the slow fade of day do the rest.

For a more laid-back rhythm, head to Dune Allen Beach, where Stinky’s Bait Shack shifts from tackle shop by day to live music hub by night. Or check out Schooners on Panama City Beach, “the Last Local Beach Club,” which punctuates each sunset with the boom of a cannon as the sun slips below the Gulf.