Photo courtesy of Visit the Northshore

Raising a glass to specialty cocktails, local brews, wines, and refreshing seasonal drinks concocted to reflect the culture and landscapes of the Northshore of Louisiana

While the Tammany of Taste of Summer is a limited-time event that runs through August, there’s another tasty new way to make the most of summer on the Northshore—and this one’s set to run all year long. If you can’t make it to St. Tammany before August ends, you can still count on enjoying a delicious cocktail (or two) courtesy of the Northshore’s newest tasting adventure, the Float Awhile Sip Series.

Launching right alongside the Tammany Taste of Summer, the Float Awhile Sip Series highlights St. Tammany Parish’s craft beverage scene, showcasing specialty cocktails, local brews, wines, and refreshing seasonal drinks, concocted by participating mixologists to reflect the culture, seasonal produce and distinctive landscapes of the Northshore of Louisiana. With a focus on local ingredients and regional pride, the Float Awhile Sip Series invites visitors and locals to discover bold new flavors and ingenious twists on time-honored classics, served in some of the finest dining establishments Louisiana has to offer.

Whether you’re embarking on a tasting tour of Abita Brewery in Abita Springs, enjoying some Saturday night live music at the Mandeville-based Chafunkta Brewing Company, or soaking up the southern hospitality at any one of the storied local restaurants and bars participating, you’ll discover all sorts of opportunities for sampling unique, Northshore-inspired delights.

Among craft cocktails invented for the Float Awhile Sip series is a delicious (and fearsomely effective) Northshore Hurricane, available exclusively from Audibert’s Bistreaux in Slidell. Olde Towne Slidell’s beloved neighborhood restaurant is justifiably famous for dishes like Fish Pontchartrain, shrimp and grits, and tender, grilled-to-order steaks, any of which will pair nicely with your Northshore Hurricane. In Madisonville, The Social Restaurant is serving a specialty cocktail titled "Social Nights on the Tchefuncte"—a bright and refreshing summer-weight concoction with floral and fruity notes perfectly balanced by a citrus finish … picture-perfect for warm evenings by the water. Impastato Cellars in Madisonville and Carson’s Table in Mandeville are other area establishments participating in the Float Awhile Sip series.  

Spirited or Spirit-Free

Designated drivers take heart: There are plenty of zero-proof ways to enjoy the Float Awhile Sip Series, too. Participating establishments are offering lots of inventive mocktails and sophisticated botanical blends. So, whether you’re abstaining for health reasons, are sober-curious, or are simply enjoying going “unleaded” this summer, the Float Awhile Sip Series has something to delight everyone’s palates. Discover more at TammanyTaste.com.