This week is the debut of Busch Gardens all-new Bourbon & BBQ Festival, which is described as “a sizzling celebration of smoky flavors and smooth spirits.” The festival happens every weekend (Friday-Sunday). The festival includes 12 BBQ-infused menu items and more than 25 handcrafted cocktails, including 12 new drinks.

Here’s what’s on the Bourbon & BBQ Festival food menu:

·  Glazed Pulled Turkey: Slow-smoked turkey served with sweet potatoes roasted in a brown sugar-butter glaze and BBQ sauce infused with Cherry Coke® and black cherry hot sauce.

·  Smoked Pork Ribs: Fall-off-the-bone smoked pork ribs smothered in a sweet & tangy Coca-Cola® BBQ sauce with a side of lima beans and corn-roasted red pepper succotash.

·  Lamb Ribs: Bourbon-brined lamb ribs slow-smoked with a side of sweet cream cornbread and mustard BBQ sauce.

·  Smoked Heirloom Tomato Salad: Local heirloom tomatoes cold smoked and placed on a bed of mixed greens finished with an aged balsamic glaze.

·  Apple Smoked Pork: Apple Brined Pulled Pork topped with a sweet & spicy bourbon BBQ sauce and served with brown sugar baked beans.

·  Slow Smoked Beef Chuck: Dry Rubbed Beef Chuck slow cooked and tossed in a Florida-style BBQ sauce and served with a peach-infused coleslaw.

·  Beef Brisket: Chopped Brisket tossed in a key lime ketchup BBQ sauce with a hint of habanero on top of creamy mac and cheese.

·   Smoked Chicken: Dry Rubbed Chicken Thighs glazed in a mustard BBQ sauce and served with a creamy house-made potato salad.

·   Lamb Shank: Tender lamb shank slow-cooked with maple wood and placed on top of buttery red mashed potatoes finished with a rich dark molasses BBQ sauce.

·   Smoked Salmon: House-smoked salmon over a bed of jasmine rice topped with Bulgogi BBQ sauce and sriracha honey drizzle.

·   Smoked Chicken Sandwich: Pulled Smoked Chicken topped with peach habanero BBQ sauce on a potato roll.

The new cocktail creations include:

·  Blackberry Smash: Tasty blackberry puree combined with Buffalo Trace Bourbon

·  Traveller Lemonade: Delicious, sweetened lemonade with Traveller Whiskey

·  Corazon Margarita: Corazon Tequila aged specifically for Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in only single Blanton’s Bourbon Barrels

·  Hibiscus Vodka Mule: Fresh Hibiscus with Wheatley Vodka

Guests can also enjoy the park and live music from local artists like Luna and the Warriors, K-Luv & the United Funk Foundation and more. Discover bourbon during a guided experience at the Treetop Bourbon Tastings. On Saturdays sample Buffalo Trace Distillery and come back for Jack Daniels on Sundays. There is also the St. Augustine Distillery Tasting, which features four spirits or a single neat pour plus bottles available for purchase.

The Bourbon & BBQ Festival at Busch Gardens starts July 19 until September 2 (including Labor Day) on every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.