Spring has officially arrived, and with it comes that unmistakable sense of renewal—everything in bloom, everything glowing, everything just a little more alive. I slip into my green, flouncy sundress, toss on an oversized, cropped denim jacket, and step into my favorite cowboy boots. Sunnies perched on my head, I set out into the early morning air. It’s still dark and a cool 66 degrees, but we all know how this story goes. Within the hour, the fog will lift, the sun will take center stage, and it will be downright warm.
Perfect timing for what we had planned.
We explored some of the top outdoor dining destinations in Peachtree City for a very special, female-centered bartender challenge, one that felt equal parts celebration, creativity, and pure springtime joy.
The theme: Mimosas, Martinis, and Mocktails for Mother’s Day.
With the sobriety movement continuing to gain momentum, more and more guests are opting for elevated, non-alcoholic options that feel just as intentional and indulgent as their spirited counterparts. Mocktails are no longer an afterthought; they’re center stage, beautifully crafted and thoughtfully balanced. And at FCL, we are absolutely here for it.
Our tasting adventure began at Palmer’s in Kedron. Their indoor/outdoor bar is the perfect location to kick off this springtime Taster’s Tournament. We were warmly welcomed by Ashley Edwards, owner of Palmer’s, alongside her newest standout, bartender Natalie Swafford. Their excitement was contagious—Natalie, especially, had been fine-tuning her menu for weeks in anticipation of this very moment, and it showed. (Asterisk = winner of the three entries)
Natalie’s lineup was nothing short of impressive:
Colada Mimosa – Coconut crema, fresh pineapple and lime juices, topped with prosecco and garnished with a rum-soaked pineapple wedge
*Lime in the Coconut Martini – Vanilla vodka with coconut crema, fresh lime juice, maple walnut bitters, and ground nutmeg, garnished with a salted caramel/toasted coconut rim and lime peel
SPF50 Mocktail – fresh squeezed blood orange base with coconut crema, shaved ginger root, lime juice, and topped with a blood orange seltzer, shaken and garnished with a salted caramel agave/toasted coconut rim, blood orange slice, and bourbon cherry
Natalie didn’t just participate—she dominated. Taking home the overall win, her martini was crowned the number one cocktail of the day. Her scores in presentation and creativity were unmatched. While I initially questioned the repeated use of coconut crema, she knew exactly how to balance it with citrus, fresh ingredients, and garnishments. We were all blown away by this young woman. Kudos to Palmer’s for snagging such incredible talent.
Next, we made our way to Positano Pizza Napoletana at The Avenue, where the ever-talented Cassie Hartshorn awaited. Cassie is consistently a favorite, and for good reason. Her balance and presentation are on point. Since she has been fashioning cocktails since before she could sample them herself, she has a more scientific approach to her creations and just knows what “goes” together.
Cassie’s offerings included:
*Blackberry Bloom Mimosa – a berry-forward cocktail lifted by fresh lemon and delicate elderflower, finished with a crisp prosecco for a light finish, garnished with mint and a fresh blackberry
Cucumber Blush Martini – a vodka-based martini with sweet strawberry, cool cucumber, and fresh lemon, garnished with an edible tropical flower
The Greenhouse Mocktail – cucumber, white cranberry, and lemon juices with Seedlip Garden 108, a botanical non-alcoholic infusion.
Cassie’s drinks were elegant, balanced, and effortlessly pretty, exactly what you want to sip on a sunny spring afternoon.
We wrapped up our tasting tour at Elliott’s in Braelinn with the incredibly talented Chelsea Rosales. Known for her complex flavor profiles and meticulous balance, Chelsea brought a level of craftsmanship that truly stood out. Her preparation alone, dehydrating garnishes and crafting ingredients from scratch, set the tone before the first sip. And then came the showstopper. Her mocktail, created as a non-alcoholic tribute to her mom, Regina, was a heartfelt and flavorful twist on a tequila sunrise, and it absolutely stole the show.
Chelsea’s menu featured:
PomMosa – fresh pomegranate juice topped with prosecco and garnished with pomegranate and a lime twist
Lychee Martini – vodka base with lavender, grapefruit, and lychee, garnished with dehydrated grapefruit dust and a lychee round
*Sunday Sunrise Mocktail – Seedlip Citrus Grove 42 base paired with blood orange syrup, and orange bitters, topped with a dehydrated blood orange slice
Each mixologist was so unique, wildly talented, and had such an individuality to their menus, that it was an incredibly difficult judging. Our overall winner was the Lime in the Coconut Martini at Palmer's. Congratulations, Natalie! We strongly encourage you to go taste these for yourselves, maybe not all in one day as we did, but you absolutely must try them all this spring… al fresco, of course.
Cheers to beautiful drinks, bright days, and celebrating the season in style.