Bourbon Festival Tampa Bay: A Flavorful Summer Nights Event
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is turning up the heat with their all-new Bourbon Festival Tampa Bay. This tantalizing event is part of the popular Summer Nights celebration at the theme park, which runs Fridays through Sundays, plus Labor Day, until September 2. Let’s delve into what makes this event a must-visit for BBQ and bourbon enthusiasts!
A Feast for the Senses: BBQ Delights
At the Bourbon Festival Tampa Bay, you can expect mouthwatering BBQ dishes that will leave you craving more. The event’s menu is curated to perfection, and includes:
* Glazed Pulled Turkey: Slow-smoked turkey with roasted sweet potatoes in a brown sugar-butter glaze, accompanied by BBQ sauce infused with Cherry Coke and black cherry hot sauce.
* Smoked Pork Ribs: Tender pork ribs smothered in a sweet and tangy Coca-Cola BBQ sauce, served with lima beans and corn-roasted red pepper succotash.
* Lamb Ribs: Bourbon-brined lamb ribs served with sweet cream cornbread and mustard BBQ sauce.
* Smoked Heirloom Tomato Salad: Cold-smoked heirloom tomatoes on mixed greens, finished with aged balsamic glaze.
* Apple Smoked Pork: Apple-brined pulled pork with sweet and spicy bourbon BBQ sauce, served with brown sugar baked beans.
* Slow-Smoked Beef Chuck: Dry-rubbed beef chuck in Florida-style BBQ sauce, served with peach-infused coleslaw.
* Beef Brisket: Chopped brisket with key lime ketchup BBQ sauce, topped with creamy mac and cheese.
* Smoked Chicken: Dry-rubbed chicken thighs in mustard BBQ sauce, served with creamy house-made potato salad.
* Lamb Shank: Tender lamb shank smoked with maple wood, served on buttery red mashed potatoes, and finished with molasses BBQ sauce.
* Smoked Salmon: House-smoked salmon on jasmine rice, topped with bulgogi BBQ sauce and sriracha honey drizzle.
* Smoked Chicken Sandwich: Pulled smoked chicken with peach habanero BBQ sauce on a potato roll.
Smooth Spirits and Handcrafted Cocktails
Of course, the Bourbon Festival Tampa Bay wouldn’t be complete without a stellar lineup of drinks. Guests can savor over 25 varieties of hand-crafted cocktails, full-bodied beers, and crisp ciders. Some of the new beverage offerings for this festival include:
* Blackberry Smash: Blackberry puree with Buffalo Trace Bourbon.
* Traveller Lemonade: Sweetened lemonade with Traveller Whiskey.
* Corazon Margarita: Corazon Tequila aged specifically for Busch Gardens in single Blanton’s Bourbon Barrels.
* Hibiscus Vodka Mule: Fresh hibiscus with Wheatley Vodka.
Bourbon Festival Samplers
For those wanting to indulge in a variety of tastes, the festival offers sampler packages. Guests can pre-purchase five samples for $45 or ten samples for $70, providing a great way to experience the full array of food and beverages.
Upgrade Your Experience with Bourbon Tastings
Enhance your visit with exclusive bourbon tastings available during the Bourbon Festival Tampa Bay. The Treetop Bourbon Tastings feature five half-ounce pours of specially curated spirits paired with food, all while learning about spirit-making from renowned distilleries. These tastings happen in the map room of the Treetop Kitchen and cost $80 per person.
Additionally, guests can enjoy the St. Augustine Distillery Tasting, which includes four delectable spirits or a single neat pour. This tasting area is conveniently located near The Xcursions Gift Shop, and bottles will be available for purchase.
Don’t Miss Out on the Summer Nights Event at Busch Gardens
The Bourbon Festival Tampa Bay is an integral part of Busch Gardens’ Summer Nights event, offering live entertainment with performances from local artists on the Coke Stage. Enjoy the musical stylings of talents like Luna and the Warriors, K-Luv & the United Funk Foundation, and more, as you savor the festival’s flavors.
With so much to see, taste, and experience, the Bourbon Festival Tampa Bay at Busch Gardens is the perfect summer event for foodies and bourbon lovers. Mark your calendars, gather your friends, and get ready for a summer night to remember!
