What's Your Home State's Signature Cocktail?

America boasts an almost endless array of liquor, making the choice of one signature cocktail for each state a tricky task. But every state gets tipsy in its own special way, and we chose these cocktails with some semblance of logic: a combination of state of origin, popularity, and exclusivity. Not everyone will agree with all the choices, but hey, it's all still booze. And booze is great. Cheers!

Drink: The Alabama Slammer (Amaretto, Southern Comfort, Sloe Gin, and orange juice)

Why?: Legend has it that the drink originated in the state in the 1970s and is known as the signature drink of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide.

Get the recipe here.

Drink: The Smoked Salmon Bloody Mary (Smoked Salmon Vodka, V-8 Juice, tabasco, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, salt, and pepper)

Why?: Alaska Distillery has recently produced a vodka made with a secret recipe of smoked salmon caught in the Gulf of Alaska.

Get the recipe here.

Drink: The High and Dry (Mandarin Vodka, Triple Sec)

Why?: During the prohibition era, Phoenix featured a "secret bar" behind a bookshelf in the Arizona Biltmore, where "every self-respecting gentleman" had access to a decent highball.

Get recipe here.

Drink: The Arkansas Razorback (Rum, vodka, amaretto almond liqueur, Kahlua coffee liqueur)

Why?: This popular cocktail shares its name with the University of Arkansas Razorbacks. You can even buy cocktail glasses embellished with the Razorback mascot!

Get the recipe here.

Drink: The Mai Tai (Light rum, dark rum, lime juice, orange curacao, orgeat syrup)

Why?: This fruity beverage is said to have been created by Victor "Trader Vic" Buergon at his Polynesian-style restaurant in Oakland, Calif.

Get the recipe here.

Drink: The Snowball (Vodka, Fresca, and lime juice)

Why?: The interesting combo of vodka and lemonade is also popular in the U.K., but this combo of Colorado Premium Vodka and Fresca makes this drink uniquely Coloradan.

Get the recipe here.

Drink: The Limonata (Vodka, sparkling lemonade, blood-orange juice)

Why?: Available exclusively at Ballo at the Mohegan Sun in Monteville, Conn., this drink features a sphere of frozen blood orange that adds sweet flavor to the cocktail as it melts.

Get the recipe here.

Drink: Blueberry Vodka Tonic (Vodka, blueberries, and lots of time)

Why?: Unlike typical vodka tonics, Delaware's blueberry version features a vodka infused with fresh blueberries for over a month.

Get the recipe here.

Drink: The Rum Runner (Captain Morgan, blackberry liqueur, creme de bananes, and orange juice)

Why?: Rum Runners are said to have been invented in the 1950s at the Holiday Isle Tiki Bar in Islamorada, Fla.

Get the recipe here.

Drink: The Scarlet O'Hara (Southern Comfort, cranberry juice, and a lime wheel)

Why?: There are several varieties to "The Scarlet O'Hara", but in Georgia, they typically feature Southern Comfort.

Get the recipe here.

Drink: The Blue Hawaiian (Light rum, vodka, Blue Curacao, pineapple juice, and sweet & sour mix)

Why?: This tropical cocktail was invented by Harry Yee, a legendary bartender at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki.

Get the recipe here.

Drink: Spring Whiskey Sling (Blended whiskey, lemon juice, sugar, and water)

Why?: The Red Feather Lounge in Idaho features a famed Spring Whiskey Sling that was featured in the "Best of List" in The New York Times.

Get the recipe here.

Drink: The Chicago Fizz (Dark rum, ruby port, lemon juice, sugar, club soda, and egg whites)

Why?: While New Orleans is credited with the origination of the fizz, the Chicago variation's claim to fame was its popularity at the Waldorf-Astoria bar in New York during the pre-prohibition era.

Get the recipe here.

Drink: The Refined Janet Guthrie (Sweet Tea Vodka, Refined Mixers margarita mix)

Why?: In honor of the Indy 500, this beverage was created to commemorate the first woman that qualified and drove in the race.

Get the recipe here.

Drink: The Iowa Sunrise (Bacardi white rum, vodka, lemonade, sprite, orange juice, and grenadine)

Why?: While similar to many cocktails in composition, the Iowa version is said to represent the beautiful sunrise over Iowa in winter mornings.

Get the recipe here.

Drink: The Amelia Earhart (Strawberry puree, gin, Maraschino liqueur, creme de violette, simple syrup, and lemon)

Why?: This cocktail is made in honor of the famed Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic and the first person to fly solo from Hawaii to California.

Get the recipe here.

(Originally, we featured the "The Pendergast", but turns out it's from Kansas City, Missouri. Oops! Our bad!)

Drink: The Mint Julep (Bourbon, sugar, and water)

Why?: The origins of the drink are murky, but the mint julep was introduced by US Senator Henry Clay during the 18th century.

Get the recipe here.

Drink: The Sazerac (Rye whickey, Peychaud's bitters, sugar, and absinthe)

Why?: In June 2008, the Louisiana Legislature proclaimed the Sazerac as New Orleans' official cocktail.

Get the recipe here.

Drink: Dust to Dust (Cold River Vodka, Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur, Aperol, and ginger syrup)

Why?: The bar Grace, located in Portland, Maine, is famous for this unique ginger cocktail.

Get the recipe here.

Drink: The Black-Eyed Susan (42 Below Vodka, Early Times Kentucky Whiskey, sweet & sour mix, and orange juice)

Why?: The cocktail, named after Maryland's state flower, is the official drink of the Preakness Stakes.

Get the recipe here.

Drink: The Cape Codder (Vodka and cranberry juice)

Why?: The drink was conceived by the Ocean Spray cranberry growers under the name "Red Devil," which was later changed to "The Cape Codder" in the 1960s.

Get the recipe here.

Drink: The Golden Cadillac (Creme de cacao (white), Vodka, Galliano, blueberries, water, sugar, and lemon juice)

Why?: While the cocktail was created in California, it's famed name (Cadillac, of the Motor City origin) and taste has made it a popular beverage in many bars in Michigan.

Get the recipe here.

Drink: The Bootleg (Bootleg mix, gin, vodka/light rum, and club soda)

Why?: Bootleg cocktails are made specifically from Bootleg Mix, which can only be purchased from the Woodhill Country Club in Wayzata, Minn.

Get the recipe here.

Drink: Mississippi Punch (Dark rum, bourbon, brandy/cognac, fresh lemon juice, and sugar)

Why?: This cocktail recipe was first printed in Jerry Thomas' The Bon Vivant's Companion, attributing its location in Mississippi.

Get the recipe here.

Drink: The Missouri Mule (Bourbon, Applejack, lemon juice, Campari, and Cointreau)

Why?: The cocktail was created for President Harry S. Truman, with its name representing his home state of Missouri and the donkey mascot of the Democratic Party.

Get the recipe here.

Drink: The Montana Tornado (Jack Daniel's Tennessee whiskey, gin, tequila, and 7 Up)

Why?: Unlike other tornados, the Montana Tornado features 7 Up instead of the commonly used Coca-Cola. The drink is also served in a mason jar instead of the typical cocktail glass.

Get the recipe here.

Drink: The Kool-Aid Caddy (Orange vodka and Kool-Aid)

Why?: Kool-Aid was invented in Hastings, Neb, by Edwin Perkins. Naturally, the state boasts a beverage in his honor.

Get the recipe here.

Drink: The Nevada Cocktail (Light rum, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and sugar)

Why?: In honor of Nevada Day, which falls on the last Friday of October, many drink this cocktail to celebrate.

Get the recipe here.

Drink: The Gin-Esaisquoi (Lillet blanc, Velvet Falermum, egg whites, and orange bitters)

Why?: This drink was originated at the White Mountain Cider Company in Glen, NH by bartender Jeff Grdinich for his friend Kevin Ginestet, who, ironically, is allergic to eggs and does not drink alcohol.

Get the recipe here.

Drink: The Applejack (Applejack brandy, lemon juice, and grenadine)

Why?: During the colonial period in New Jersey, the Applejack was used as currency to pay road construction crews. New Jersey also boasts the oldest licensed distillery, Laird & Company, which continues to produce applejack.

Get the recipe here.

Drink: La Paloma (Tequila and grapefruit soda)

Why?: This cocktail was first recognized in Evan Harrison's Popular Cocktails of the Rio Grande. Known as "The Dove" in Spanish, it's origins are claimed to be somewhere along the Rio Grande.

Get the recipe here.

Drink: The Moscow Mule (Vodka, lime juice, ginger beer)

Why?: The cocktail is said to have been invented in 1941 by John G. Martin of G.F. Heublein Brothers, Inc., an East Coast spirit producer and Jack Morgan, President of Cock 'n' Bull Products.

Get the recipe here.

Drink: Dirty Beetz (Vodka, beet juice, lime juice, and orange juice)

Why?: The Fiction Kitchen, a local Raleigh haunt, features this cocktail. Created by Christopher Tamplin, the use of beets creates a vibrantly colored cocktail when garnished with a lime and orange peel.

Get the recipe here.

Drink: The Howlin' Wolf (White Creme de Menthe, blue curacao, vodka, and Sprite)

Why?: It's no surprise that this drink is named after North Dakota's state animal, the coyote (AKA prairie wolf).

Get the recipe here.

Drink: The Black Gold (Captain Morgans, Jose Cuervo Gold Tequila, Sierra Mist, and Grenadine)

Why?: The Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, and the Belmont Stakes have specialty cocktails, naturally the folks in Thistledown wanted to create a drink to represent the Ohio Derby. The Black Gold is named after the only horse to win both the Kentucky Derby and the Ohio Derby.

Get the recipe here.

(Originally, we featured the "Velvet Elvis" because of Columbus' origination of Coca-Cola, turns out it's origination is in Columbus, Georgia. Our apologies)

Drink: The Farmer's Daughter (Vodka, fresh strawberries, basil leaves, and simple sugar)

Why?: Lobby Bar, located in Oklahoma City, specializes in maintaining the tried-and-true nature of cocktails while adding an individual twist, crafting each individually with added, natural ingredients. Each of their Farmer's Daughter cocktails is made with fresh fruit.

Get the recipe here.

Drink: Flaming Ring of Fire (High proof rum, whiskey, and tabasco sauce)

Why?: Named after Oregon's location in "the Pacific Ring of Fire", this shot turns up the heat with added Tabasco sauce.

Get the recipe here.

Drink: The Bronx (Gin, Sweet red vermouth, dry vermouth, and orange juice)

Why?: Strangely, this cocktail was created by Joseph S. Sormani in Philadelphia, a retired Bronx restauranteur.

Get the recipe here.

Drink: Rhode Island Red (Partida Blanco tequila, chambord, lemon juice, agave nectar, orange bitters, and ginger beer)

Why?: While hailing from California, this drink was created to salute the 350th anniversary of Rhode Island's reception of a Colonial Charter.

Get the recipe here.

Drink: The Hemingway Mojito (Bacardi, sunset-red Italian Campari, muddled mint & grapefruit, soda water, and grapefruit juice)

Why?: Amen Street's, located in Charleston, mixologists created a cocktail to match the colorful like of Ernest Hemingway. The drink boasts beautiful colors to reflect Hemingway's love for Key West's sunsets.

Get recipe here.

Drink: The President (Light rum, grenadine, and orange juice)

Why?: Over 2 million people visit South Dakota annually to visit this befitting cocktail's dedication, the Presidents of Mount Rushmore.

Get the recipe here.

Drink: Lynchburg Lemonade (Jack Daniel's whiskey, Triple sec, sweet & sour, and Sprite)

Why?: This famous cocktail got its name from the Jack Daniel's Distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee. Alabama restauranteur Tony Mason brought JD to court, alleging that the distillery stole his recipe, but a judge declined his request for $13 million in damages.

Get the recipe here.

Drink: The Mexican Martini (Tequila, Cointreau orange liqueur, sweet & sour mix, lime juice, orange juice, and Sprite)

Why?: This cocktail variation of a margarita is served straight up in a cocktail glass and can be served extra spicy. This drink was created and continues to be incredibly popular in Austin, TX.

Get the recipe here.

Drink: The Mountain Derby (Woodford Reserve, grapefruit juice, honey, and lemon juice)

Why?: This interesting cocktail was created by Dave Wallace and beat out other cocktails in a competition held in Park City, UT. As a result, his concoction is now featured on drink menus at bars and restaurants all over the city for six months.

Get the recipe here.

Drink: The Old Vermont (Gin, maple syrup, lemon juice, orange juice, and bitters)

Why?: For a true version of an Old Vermont, a bartender needs to use Barr Hill Gin from Vermont.

Get the recipe here.

Drink: The Copper Barley (Campari, sweet vermouth, and soda water)

Why?: The Copper Barley is a cocktail that uses malt exclusively from the Virginia Highland Malt distillery.

Get the recipe here.

Drink: The Washington Apple (Vodka, Sour Apple Schnapps, and apple juice)

Why?: This can be served as a martini, a shooter, or on the rocks, but its main ingredient is Washington apples from, well, Washington.

Get the recipe here.

Drink: The Persephone (Bourbon, whiskey, triple sec, lemon juice, and egg whites)

Why?: This holiday inspired, champagne-based cocktail was featured in the West Virginia Gazette by its style team.

Get the recipe here.

Drink: The Tom and Jerry (Rum/brandy/whiskey, egg whites, vanilla extract, sugar, nutmeg, and powdered milk)

Why?: This Christmastime cocktail was originally created by journalist Pierce Egan in the 1820s, but continues to be most popular in Wisconsin.

Get the recipe here.

Drink: The Boiler Maker (Light draft beer and whiskey)

Why?: Similar to Old Faithful in Wyoming, The Boiler Maker is a geyser of sorts. To consume this cocktail, you first have to drop the shot of whiskey into the beer, then down the entire thing in one gulp.

Get the recipe here.

Drink: The Rickey (Gin, lime juice, and carbonated water)

Why?: While the drink was created in the 1880's, the drink maintains its popularity as one of the most popular gin cocktails in the area and even has a virgin version called the "lime rickey".

Get the recipe here.