“CoolCrafters” are creating signature drinks in hopes of being voted the best of the CoolCraft Summer.
Visit West Volusia has announced its first annual CoolCraft Summer beverage competition. More than a dozen participants of the CoolCraft Beverage Trail will be creating one specialty drink — alcoholic or nonalcoholic — that features summer-inspired flavors and fresh ingredients, with a West Volusia flair.
The competition started June 14 and runs through Sept. 5, and visitors get to vote.
Visitors are encouraged to try each location’s CoolCraft Summer drink and then vote for which one they like best at coolcrafttrail.com/summer. At the end of the competition, the winners in each category will be crowned the Best CoolCraft Summer Beverage.
“The CoolCraft Beverage Trail is such a popular experience, and we are always concocting new ways for people to participate,” said Georgia Turner, executive director of the West Volusia Tourism Advertising Authority. “This summer competition is a really exciting way for people to taste the best of what West Volusia establishments have to offer.”
Select concoctions include Trilogy Coffee Roasting Co.’s “Palmetto Highball,” a refreshing take on a classic with natural pineapple juice and single-origin espresso; Wander Bar’s “Camp Nowhere,” a truly unique cocktail featuring a feta-cheese-infused gin; and “Hello Summer,” Central 28 Brewing’s special pineapple jalapeño sour beer.
Other participating “CoolCrafters” include Hyderhead Brewery, Blue Springs Brewing & Pizzeria, Persimmon Hollow Brewing Co., Odd Elixir Meadworks & Abbey Bar, MG Coffee Brews & Bites, NEST, The Lounge Tapas and Martini Bar, Buddha Bowls, and Centro Tea Co. & Plant-Based Kitchen.
The CoolCraft Beverage Trail kicked off last year to much success and has given visitors a chance to taste the best “crafts” around … and we aren’t just talking about the beer, though there is plenty. With more than a dozen destinations offering meads, smoothies, teas, coffees, and, of course, some of the best brews, you can tour and taste all the “trail” has to offer.
For more information or to get a CoolCraft Beverage Trail Pass, visit coolcrafttrail.com.
To see photos of the concoctions, go to coolcrafttrail.com/summer.
West Volusia offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy parks, pristine natural beauty, historical homes like Stetson Mansion, a vibrant downtown, and award-winning restaurants within 14 distinct communities. Visitors can also enjoy Downtown DeLand — voted America’s BEST Mainstreet — and its many delectable restaurants, or, for a bit more adventure, head out on the St. Johns River or explore Blue Spring State Park. These are just a few of the many natural, cultural and historical area attractions you will find when visiting West Volusia.
For more on what West Volusia has to offer, go to visitwestvolusia.com.
The West Volusia Tourism Advertising Authority’s mission is to develop and support marketing and advertising programs that bring increased tourism to West Volusia, and to demonstrate the desirability of West Volusia as a tourism destination. The authority works with area hoteliers, tour providers, attractions and event promoters to represent the area to vacationers, tour operators, travel and meeting planners, and the media.
