Netflix + Chill(ed): 12 Cocktails & The Shows That Inspired Them

With the one-year anniversary of the start of shutdown and with award season in full swing, we’re looking back at how many people relied on TV this past year and have compiled 12 cocktails inspired by our favorite shows to celebrate those that helped our mind escape during quarantine.

“Duke of Earl” inspired by Bridgerton – at 700 Drayton at Mansion on Forsyth Park

Drink away your sorrows that Regé-Jean Page isn’t reprising his role for season two and join Mansion on Forsyth Park for a spiked afternoon high tea, worthy of a Bridgerton or anyone partaking in London’s high society… it’s the talk of the ton and sure to keep his memory alive. This pastel-hued, fruity Earl Grey inspired cocktail, fitting even for the Duke of Hastings (cue the waterworks), is festively garnished and prepared for the most sophisticated palate. Some might say this cocktail is this season’s “Diamond of the First Water.” 

.75 oz. Earl Grey Syrup

.5 oz. Lemon Juice

1 oz. Dry Gin

1 oz. Lillet Blanc 

For the Earl Grey syrup: Bring 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water, and 2 tbsp loose leaf Earl Grey tea to a simmer in a small sauce pot and remove from heat. Allow to steep for 2 minutes and then strain and cool. 

For the cocktail: Combine ¾ oz. earl grey syrup, ½ oz. lemon juice, 1 oz. dry gin, and 1 oz. Lillet Blanc into a shaker half filled with ice and shake vigorously. Strain through a fine mesh strainer into a chilled coupe and garnish with a lemon twist or a sprig of lemon verbena. 

“Kiawah Sunrise” inspired by Selling Sunset – at Timbers Kiawah in Kiawah Island, SC

Showcasing a life of luxury through the lens of million-dollar real estate, Selling Sunset delivered a much-needed retreat and taste of the *sweet* life during lockdown. Inspired by this real estate themed reality escapism, Timbers Kiawah is serving up curb appeal in cocktail form with their Kiawah Sunrise – blending fresh strawberries, tart lemon juice, strawberry simple syrup, demerara syrup, whiskey bourbon, dash of black walnut bitters and a splash of club soda – making for a perfect concoction to close any sale.   

2 Fresh Strawberries (sliced)

.5 oz. Lemon Juice

.25 oz. Demerara Syrup

.25 oz. Strawberry Simple Syrup

2 oz. Four Roses Whiskey Bourbon

2 Dashes Black Walnut Bitters

Splash Club Soda

Strawberry Garnish

In a shaker glass, combine strawberries and lemon juice and muddle together. Add in ice, demerara syrup, strawberry syrup, bourbon and bitters. Shake vigorously for six to eight seconds. Fill rocks glass with ice and double-strain cocktail into glass. Float with club soda and garnish with strawberry.  

“Emily in the Smokies” inspired by Emily in Paris – at Southern Comfort at Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park

Emily turned some heads when she arrived in Paris, and this smokey concoction is bound to turn yours! Similar to the Netflix hit, this cocktail is all about adding some foreign flair to an American classic. Made from aged Buffalo Trace mixed with blood orange bitters, Bordeaux cherries and orange expression, this will have anyone from fashionistas in Paris to Smoky Mountain bourbon connoisseurs saying, “ooh la la!” 

2 oz. Buffalo Trace Bourbon

Splash of Bordeaux cherry juice

3 Dashes Blood Orange Bitters

2 Sugar Cubes

1 Bordeaux Cherry (for garnish)

Orange Peel (for garnish) 

In a glass old fashioned mixer, place two sugar cubes and the fruit of an orange wedge into the bottom of the glass, then coat the sugar cubes with three dashes of blood orange bitters and a splash of Bordeaux cherry juice. Pour in two ounces of Buffalo Trace Bourbon, then stir with bar spoon until sugar is dissolved. Double strain into a rocks glass and pour over one large ice ball. Garnish with a Bordeaux cherry and an orange peel. Delivered to the table in a smoking decanter from ignited cherry wood. 

“Key Largo’s Little Secret” inspired by Bloodline – at Bungalows Key Largo, Fla.

The first and only all-inclusive resort in the Florida Keys, Bungalows Key Largo, is a luxury, adults-only escape perfect for those looking to forget the naggings buried in everyday life. While Bloodline is all about family secrets and a dark past, Bungalows’ secret to success is embracing the easy-going, island vibes of Key Largo – no family drama welcome here! The resort’s specialty cocktail – Key Largo’s Little Secret – embraces the elegance of the property with a simple yet delightfully refined libation, made for guests lounging poolside without a care in the world.  

1.5 oz. Vodka 

4 oz. Lemonade

1.25 oz. of Blueberry Simple Syrup 

Pour vodka, lemonade and blueberry syrup into a shaker with ice and mix for 10 seconds, after fully mixed strain the liquid and pour into a Collins glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a lemon wedge, blueberry and cherry.

“The Lavender Lasso” inspired by Ted Lasso – at Charlie Park in Tallahassee, Fla. 

In a year filled with despair, Ted Lasso provided a much-needed break in order to laugh and have hope. With its London setting, Ted Lasso was a refreshing newcomer to the Apple TV lineup just like this refreshing libation will be hitting Tallahassee, Fla. this spring. The Lavender Lasso features floral Empress Gin, with its distinct purple hue coming from the pigment of the butterfly pea flower – amplified by florality with a house made lavender syrup, house made IPA syrup, in addition to coconut water and pineapple juice. This is all accented with fresh edible flowers, dried lavender on the rim and a sprinkling of Ube Dust to add some brightness to an otherwise lackluster year.

1.5 oz. Empress Gin

.75 oz. Coco Water

1 oz. Pineapple

1.0 oz. Lime

.25 oz. Lavender syrup

.25 oz. IPA Syrup

.25 oz. Butterfly Pea Flower Syrup   

Shake all ingredients vigorously with ice and strain into martini glass or coupe rimmed with dried lavender flowers. Lightly sprinkle ube dust over the froth when poured for contrast.  

“Pogue Tea” inspired by Outer Banks – at Bogue Sound Distillery in North Carolina’s Crystal Coast

John B and friends (and foes) will be back soon for Season 2 of the Netflix coming-of-age hit, and local Bogue Sound Distillery is ready with summery cocktails inspired by the show – which is set within the destination – including Pogue Tea.    

2 oz. JAPC Salted Caramel Spirit

.5 oz. Triple Sec

Top off with ½ sour mix & ½ Coca Cola  

Pour all ingredients into a highball glass over ice. Pour into mixer and then back into glass; garnish with lemon slice. 

“Royal Dog” inspired by The Crown – at Mico at Grand Bohemian Hotel Charlotte

Looking for a cocktail fit for the royal family? Look no further than the Royal Dog at Grand Bohemian Hotel Charlotte located in the heart of The Queen City. This royally inspired cocktail is a jubilee of flavors and will curb any craving with hints of elderflower, grapefruit and rose botanical vodka and lavender powder – even Queen Elizabeth’s sweet tooth couldn’t bypass this charming concoction.  

1.5 oz. Lillet Blanc

.5 oz. St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur

2 oz. Ketel One Grapefruit & Rose Botanical Vodka

Lavender powder 

Place in a cocktail shaker with ice chips and shake for 15 seconds. Rim your favorite vintage glass with lavender powder and strain.  

“Polly’s Lament” inspired by Peaky Blinders – at Stone & Webster at Plant Riverside District

The classic Tipperary cocktail dates back to 1917, a time of turmoil in post World War I Britain – as well as the setting for the crime family series Peaky Blinders. The name ‘Tipperary’ is a nod to the county in Ireland, home to many a battle-weary soldier in search of life after war. Our version at Plant Riverside District, Polly’s Lament, features Grand Marnier liqueur in celebration of the flashy, tough as nails matriarch of the Shelby gang and Polly’s own violent battle to protect her family. Ahead of her time and as dangerous as any man, Polly herself said it best: ‘Sometimes the women have to take over…’ 

1.5 oz. Teeling’s Irish Whiskey

.5 oz. Green Chartreuse

 1 oz. Carpano Antica vermouth 

Bar spoon Grand Marnier

4 dashes Angostura bitters 

Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass and stir to dilute. Strain into a chilled coupe and express an orange peel over the cocktail. Garnish with an orange twist. 

“Lucin Cut-Off” inspired by Hell on Wheels – at High West Distillery in Park City, Utah

Built by the Southern Pacific Company between Feb. 1902 – Mar. 1904, the Lucin Cut-Off was the ambitious project to bypass the original Promontory Summit line where the Golden spike was driven in 1869 – marking the completion of the first Transcontinental Railroad. By heading west across the Great Salt Lake from Ogden to Lucin, 44 miles (71 km) were cut off the original route and significantly decreased curvature and grade, saving considerable time and expense for freight.  

1 oz. Double Rye

.75 oz. Averna

 .5 oz. Highland Park 12 

Barspoon Crème de Banane

1 oz. Cold Brew Concentrate

.5 oz. Cinnamon Syrup

Orange Garnish  

Add all ingredients into a mixing glass with ice, stir until chilled. Strain over 1×1 ice in an old-fashioned glass. Garnish with orange zest. 

“Cobra Strike” inspired by Cobra Kai – at Planet Hollywood Beach Resort Cancun

Nostalgia goes hand in hand with iconic 90s brand Planet Hollywood – and so does movie memorabilia. With Karate Gi shirts from the original “Karate Kid” film on display at the resort, Planet Hollywood draws inspiration from the movie’s new sequel – “Cobra Kai” – to create a cocktail that packs a ‘Cobra Strike.’ 

1 oz. Lychee Syrup

.33 oz. Vermouth Bianco

1.5 oz. Vodka

Top Soda

Lychee, Basil (for decoration) 

Place in a cocktail shaker with ice chips and mix for 15 seconds; pour into your favorite vintage glass. Bubble smoke gun is used for the final effect with Bubble Gum-infused smoke. Add lychee syrup, vermouth and vodka into a shaker. Add in ice and shake your mixture. Strain and serve in a glass over crushed ice, top off with soda. Decorate with a lychee and basil in a spear. 

“Burst Your Bubble” inspired by Sex and the City – at Terrace 16 at Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago

During the pandemic, nostalgic shows provided a sense of comfort (and created a stir when revivals were announced). Inspired by the iconic Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City takes place in a time when people would dress up and get out and socialize – something we are all eager to do. The cleverly-named “Burst Your Bubble” cocktail at Terrace 16 is designed to be enjoyed once people are ready to safely socialize once again, featuring iichiko, St. Germain, raspberry and sparkling white wine with an eye-popping bubble gum-infused smoke finish.   

1.5 oz. iichiko

.75 oz. St. Germain

.75 oz. 100% Raspberry Puree

.5 oz. 1:1 Simple Syrup

.5 oz. Lemon Juice

5 oz. Sparkling White Wine 

Place in a cocktail shaker with ice chips and mix for 15 seconds; pour into your favorite vintage glass. Bubble smoke gun is used for the final effect with bubble gum-infused smoke. 

“Streamsong Private Select” inspired by Yellowstone – at Streamsong Resort

In Yellowstone, the Dutton family – led by patriarch John Dutton (played by Kevin Costner / Josh Lucas) – owns the largest cattle ranch in the country, with enough land to fit all the drama the family stirs up. On this land, steeped in rich history, loyal wranglers bear a branding mark as a badge of honor. While Season 4 is due out in June, Florida’s Streamsong Resort has partnered with Maker’s Mark for its own “new release,” a bespoke bourbon blend called Streamsong Private Select.  

Bottled and branded with the signature red wax, the secret is in the wood; American and French oak staves (wood planks) are cooked at varying temperatures and lengths to create unique taste options. Matured Maker’s Mark is barrel finished with the resort’s unique combination of staves with prominent flavors of smoke, dark fruit and cacao.