DeLand, FL — All summer long visitors and residents visited local breweries, coffee shops and other CoolCrafters in West Volusia County, Florida for a taste of their signature CoolCraft concoctions. They voted on their favorites, and the best summer beverages were revealed during a special edition of the popular “Jazz on the Alley” series in Artisan Alley on September 20, 2022.

 

In the Alcoholic Category, the “Red Sangria” from NEST was voted #1, while Centro Tea Co. & Plant-Based Kitchen’s “Summer Peach Tea Spritzer” secured the top spot in the non-alcoholic category.

 

“We’re thrilled at how many people visited our crafters and voted during the competition,” said Georgia Turner, Executive Director of the West Volusia Tourism Advertising Authority. “The CoolCraft Beverage Trail is a great year-round attraction for West Volusia, but the summer promotion was definitely a hit.”

 

The inaugural CoolCraft Summer Beverage Competition kicked off on June 14, 2022, and ran through September 5, 2022. Participating CoolCrafters were tasked with creating a summer-inspired beverage featuring fresh flavors and ingredients, with a West Volusia flair. Visitors and residents then spent the summer sipping their way across West Volusia in search of their favorites. 

 

Other CoolCrafters included Trilogy Coffee Roasting Co., Wander Bar Cocktail Lounge, Central 28 Brewing, Hyderhead Brewery, Blue Springs Brewing & Riverwalk Pizzeria, Persimmon Hollow Brewing Co., Odd Elixir Meadworks & Abbey Bar, MG Coffee Brews & Bites, The Lounge Tapas and Martini Bar, and Buddha Bowls.

 

Here are the top drinks in each category:

 

Top alcoholic beverages:

“Red Sangria” at NEST

"Camp Nowhere" at Wander Bar Cocktail Lounge

"Hello Summer" at Central 28 Brewing

"Rainforest Açaí Berry Lemonade" at The Lounge Tapas and Martini Bar

 

Top non-alcoholic beverages:

“Summer Peach Tea Spritzer” at Centro Tea Co. & Plant-Based Kitchen

"Palmetto Highball" at Trilogy Coffee Roasting Co.

"Poolside Perfection" at Buddha Bowls

"MG's Summer Lemonade" at MG Coffee Brews & Bites