The West Volusia Tourism Advertising Authority (WVTAA) and partners will celebrate America 250 and Florida 250 with the return of its acclaimed CoolCraft Summer, an exclusive West Volusia beverage competition designed to bring visitors and residents together to vote for the best “spirited” and “free-spirited” beverages within the region.
“CoolCraft American Summer,” featuring Sips Across America, begins June 26 and continues through Labor Day, September 7, with twenty-three beverages themed to the people, landscapes, rich history, and culture of one of the 50 US states. Ranging from local coffee roasters to breweries, tea purveyors, and mixologists, each participating business has crafted either an alcoholic (Spirited) or alcohol free (Free Spirited) creation.
To celebrate the semiquincentennial all summer long, visitors and locals can stop by any participating CoolCrafter, order their summer beverage, and cast their votes to help decide which business takes home the winning trophy and ultimate bragging rights.’
The CoolCraft Election System is getting a major upgrade this year! In addition to the online voting platform used over the past four years, WVTAA is introducing something different this year: paper ballots. Available at any participating CoolCraft location, the West Volusia Visitor Center, or printable at home, the paper ballot is the official passport of this year’s Beverage Competition. Featuring a full list of participating CoolCrafters, you can track your progress and map out your summer tour. Guests who submit their ballots on or before Election Day, September 7, to the West Volusia Visitor Center, 116 W New York Ave., DeLand, FL, will receive a commemorative CoolCraft Summer “Made in America” bumper sticker.
“The CoolCraft Beverage Trail and CoolCraft Summer have always been about exploration, but celebrating America 250 and Florida 250 takes it to a whole new level,” said Georgia Turner, Executive Director of WVTAA. “You can taste your way across the country without ever leaving West Volusia. We are thrilled to introduce paper ballots this year so visitors can physically map out their trail, grab that commemorative bumper sticker, and maybe even turn their tasting tour into a full CoolCation.”
Featured CoolCrafters and their beverages include:
Spirited Beverages (Alcoholic)
- Central 28 Beer Co. – “CC Lime Crusher” (Florida) – A refreshing lime Kolsch style ale featuring zesty citrus and a salted rim.
- Blue Springs Brewing – “High Altitude Haze” (Colorado) – A hazy IPA brewed with prominent tropical fruit notes.
- Nest – “Sangria” (New York) – A classic sangria honoring the drink’s United States debut at the 1964 New York World’s Fair.
- Country Line Saloon – “Hershey’s Chocolate Martini” (Pennsylvania) – A rich martini crafted with smooth chocolate and Irish cream, available as a classic sweet pour or a bold espresso martini.
- Wander Bar Cocktail Lounge – “Trail Blazer” (Kentucky) – A crafted whiskey cocktail encompassing the flavor and scenic vibe of the Kentucky bourbon trail.
- Persimmon Hollow Brewing Co – “Gypsy Hiker” (Vermont) – A smooth New England IPA packed with aroma, citrus, and fruit flavors, without the bitterness for those who don’t like IPA’s.
- DeLand Cocktail Company – “Alabama Bramble” (Alabama) – A Southern riff on the classic Bramble, featuring gin, blackberry shrub, cassis, and lemon sherbet.
- Hunters & Gatherers – “Outer Banks” (North Carolina) – A tropical refresher blending coconut milk, lime juice, mango, lychee syrup, and light coconut rum with a coconut rim.
- Encanto Restaurant and Bakery – “Prickly Pear Margarita” (Arizona) – A vibrant southwestern margarita crafted with blanco tequila, triple sec, fresh lime juice, and prickly pear syrup.
- The Elusive Grape – “Hatched in The Land of Enchantment” (Maryland) – Hatch pepper-infused tequila clarified with fresh citrus juices, served with candied Hatch chili and tajin lime salt.
- Chapel Tap – “Bell’s Shandy Summer” (Michigan) – A crisp summer shandy combining Bell’s Oberon Wheat Ale, aperitif, and a bright citrus spritz.
- The salted goat – “Truth or Consequences” (New Mexico) – A piñon coffee martini featuring mezcal, pistachio, orgeat, and cacao, garnished with prickly pear dust.
- Trilogy Kitchen – “Garden State Spritz” (New Jersey) – A bubbly prosecco spritz mixed with carrot, ginger, and pineapple juices, garnished with fresh garden veggies.
Free Spirited Beverages (Alcohol-free)
- Coffee at Kuzco’s – “Blades of Glory” (California) – An iced oat milk and espresso blend crowned with a unique sapote, brown sugar, and rum-flavored cold foam.
- Whit’s Frozen Custard DeLand – “Blackberry Bourbon Frosted Soda” (Tennessee) – A handspun blend of blackberry bourbon mocktail flavoring, cola, and frozen custard.
- Pat and Toni’s Sweet Things – “Montana Huckleberry Milkshake” (Montana) – Vanilla ice cream blended and drizzled with wild huckleberry, rimmed with graham cracker and marshmallow, and topped with whipped cream.
- Centro Tea Co – “Peachy Queen” (Georgia) – An all-natural peach juice refresher topped with organic matcha and a sweet marshmallow swirl.
- Parvathy’s Kitchen – “Aloha Chai” (Hawaii) – A smooth, iced classic chai blending warm spices with a creamy, sweet finish.
- High Horse Coffee – “The Polar Bear” (Alaska) – A creamy iced coffee creation combining bold espresso, white chocolate, and a hint of vanilla.
- Berryville – “Dairyland Strawberry Dream” (Wisconsin) – A rich strawberry cheesecake milkshake decadently topped with an entire slice of cheesecake.
- BakeChop – “Pecan Pie Latte” (Texas) – A hot or iced semi-sweet latte featuring specialty roast espresso, nutty pecan notes, and real vanilla.
- Trilogy Coffee Roasting Co. – “Evergreen Apple Pie” (Washington ) – A cool blend of cold brew coffee and apple cider, topped with apple pie spiced cold foam and rosemary.
- Palate Coffee Roasters – “Hazy Nut Mocha” (Oregon) – A rich mocha latte crowned with Nutella cold foam and sprinkled with crushed Oregon hazelnuts.
To launch the competition, WVTAA is partnering with ArtWorks DeLand to host an official kickoff party on Friday, June 26, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The celebration will feature live music, kids’ crafts, and hands-on activities for all ages. Guests can also pick up the official craft: a build-your-own American Bald Eagle cutout. Attendees can trace it onto cardboard, paper, or felt, assemble their masterpiece, and send a photo to WVTAA to be shared on social media all summer long.
Need a break on the trail? Turn your tasting tour into a weekend getaway with our “CoolCation” partners. Unwind at the Historic DeLand Hotel or dock a houseboat at Holly Bluff Marina—either way, West Volusia is ready to welcome you for the ultimate CoolCation.
For the complete list of CoolCraft American Summer entries, paper ballots, and to start planning your getaway, visit coolcrafttrail.com/summer.
About CoolCraft
The CoolCraft Beverage Trail by WVTAA is a guide to the best breweries, wineries, pubs, and other craft beverage producers within West Volusia County. Visitors can follow the trail year-round or participate during specialty events, CoolCraft Summer Beverage Competition and CoolCraft Christmas Crawl. coolcrafttrail.com
About West Volusia County
Conveniently located between Orlando and Daytona Beach, West Volusia County, Florida 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 the 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 County.