It’s that time of the year when every football fan is gearing up for full tailgate mode.

Armed with cases of beer, shot glasses and big-batch punches, alcohol is no stranger to football pregames. If you’re looking to step up your tailgate drink game, these easy to make cocktails by Dixie Vodka are sure to make your pregame party the best in town. Dixie Vodka was born out of the need for a craft vodka with an authentic Southern pedigree.

Made for Southerners by Southerners, Dixie Vodka is crafted in Charleston, South Carolina. Named “The South’s Best Tasting Vodka”, Dixie Vodka is an all-American brand from packaging materials to its Southern-sourced ingredients.

Here are 10 Dixie Vodka cocktails perfect for any Southern tailgate this football season!

The Clubhouse Cooler (Arnold Palmer-type punch)

• 1 bottle Dixie Mint Vodka
• 4 cups of lemonade
• 4 cups water
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 large tea bags (or 12 individual) for iced tea (or purchase your choice of pre-made sweet tea)
• Fresh mint sprigs
• 8 lemon slices

Bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Remove from the heat and add in tea bags. Let tea bags steep for 5 minutes then remove. Stir in one cup of sugar until dissolved. Pour tea, lemonade, and Dixie Mint Vodka into preferred punch serving bowl. Add additional 3 quarts of water and stir together. Muddle handful of mint leaves in a separate bowl and add to punch ingredients. Cover and chill until cool. Fill mason jars with ice and pour in tea. Garnish with mint sprig and lemon slice. Sit back and enjoy!

Autumn Shandy

• 1.0 oz. Dixie Black Pepper Vodka
• 1.5 oz. cranberry juice
• 0.5 oz. simple syrup
• 2-4 oz. dry hard cider

Combine first three ingredients in a shaker tin over ice. Hard shake and pour into rocks glass with one large ice cube. Top with cider and serve. Also can be made in single-serve portion in a large batch

Georgia’s Dixie Twang

• 2oz Dixie Citrus Vodka
• 4oz Nehi Orange Soda
• shake with ice
• squeeze of 1/4 lime

Beauregard’s Buck

• 1.5 oz. Dixie Southern Vodka
• 0.5 oz. Dixie Mint Vodka
• 0.5 oz. lemon juice
• 4 to 6 oz. ginger beer

Squeeze lemons juice into a Collins glass (or Moscow Mule mug) and drop in the spent shell. Add 2 or 3 ice cubs, pour in both vodkas and fill the glass with ginger beer. Stir.

North Carolina’s Dixie Cherry Picker

• 2 oz Dixie Citrus Vodka
• 4 oz Cheerwine
• shake with ice
• squeeze of 1/4 lemon
• squeeze of 1/4 lime

South Carolina’s Dixie Charleston Charmer

• 2 oz Dixie Mint Vodka
• 4 oz Cannonborough Grapefruit Elderflower

Tennessee’s Whistlin’ Dixie

• 2 oz Dixie Southern Vodka
• 3 oz Jumbo Fruit Punch
• shake with ice
• top with soda
• squeeze 1/4 lime

Dixie Tiger Paw

• 2 oz Dixie Southern Vodka
• 0.5 oz St. Germain
• 1 oz Mango Puree (can substitute with mango juice)
• 1 Lemon Wedge, Squeezed and discarded
• Shake and pour into mason jar, top with soda, garnish with sliver of dried mango.

Dixie Tide

• 1 oz Dixie Black Pepper Vodka
• 1.5 oz cranberry juice
• 0.5 oz simple syrup
• 2-4 oz dry hard cider

Combine first three ingredients in a shaker tin over ice. Hard shake and pour into rocks glass with one large ice cube. Top with cider and serve.

Southern Charm

• Fill shaker with ice; add:
• 2 oz. Dixie Citrus Vodka
• 3 cucumber slices
• 2 oz. apple cider
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• 2 mint leaves
• Shake; pour in ice-filled glass. Top with tonic. Garnish with cucumber slice.

We can’t wait to try these recipes at tailgate! Which one is your favorite from Dixie Vodka?

Chicken Salad Chick is now open in Buckhead!

Photo taken at the media preview event. This location opened June 27!

Located at 4365 Roswell Road in the Roswell Wieuca Shopping Center (right next to Ace Hardware), the Pretty Southern squad has been looking forward to the opening of Chicken Salad Chick for months!

Atlanta media received swag packs from Chicken Salad Chick

This is Chicken Salad Chick’s first location in Atlanta (ITP). It’s the 16th Chicken Salad Chick location in Georgia, and the seventh location for Origin Development Group, an Atlanta-based restaurant development fund founded by Darren DeVore and Lauren Fernandez. This location, like all Chicken Salad Chick locations, is locally owned and operated.

Lauren Fernandez of Origin Development Group at the new Chicken Salad Chick

The team also spent a year scouting locations before they landed on this one as they wanted to cater to growing Buckhead and Chastain crowds. They were pleased to find space where they did as the vibe of the area leans towards locally owned businesses.

With the addition of the new Buckhead store, the community can anticipate whetting their palates with over a dozen specialty chicken salad flavors, fresh soups, salads, sides and full-service catering.

The “Chick Trio” from Chicken Salad Chick

Every week until the grand opening, fans can enter to win a year of free chicken salad by liking the restaurant’s Facebook page. During grand opening week, the Chicken Salad Chick tradition of southern hospitality continues through daily giveaways and specials at the new Chicken Salad Chick restaurant:

Tuesday, June 27 – Free Chicken Salad for a Year! The first 100 guests (age 16 or older who have downloaded the Craving Credits app) will win one large Quick Chick of chicken salad every month for an entire year!

Wednesday, June 28 – Free Scoop Day! The first 100 guests to order a Chick Special receive a free scoop of their choice on their next visit!

Thursday, June 29 – Free Stainless Steel Bottle! The first 100 guests to spend over $25 will receive a complimentary, limited edition Chicken Salad Chick stainless sports bottle.

Friday, June 30 – Free Chick PopSocket! The first 100 guests to spend over $15 will receive a limited edition Chicken Salad Chick PopSocket for their phone!

Saturday, July 1 – Free Chick Cooler! With the purchase of two Quick Chicks To-Go, the first 100 guests will receive a free Chick Cooler, ready to be stocked with ice for a delicious picnic.

Of the chicken salads, we especially loved the Fancy Nancy, Classic Carol and the Lauryn’s Lemon Basil. All of their chicken salads are named after women who have inspired or impacted the life of the founder of the company. These include siblings, extended family and even friends.

As a whole, this new location of Chicken Salad Chick has a lovely vibe, not like a chain at all…more like a tea house with Southern charm! Chicken Salad Chick is a welcome addition to the Buckhead community, and we can’t wait to chow down!

For more information, please visit Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest news and special contests.

Editor’s Note – thanks to Caroline McLean Earle, her husband, Dan, and the team at BRAVE PR for contributing to this post.

In honor of National Oyster on the Half Shell Day, STK Atlanta is hosting a “Shuck Yeah! Oyster & Champagne Party” in its popular bistro and lounge area from 5 – 8 p.m. on Friday, March 31.

#Nomnomnom

Featuring fresh, chef handpicked $1 oysters from the East and West Coast, partygoers are invited to enjoy a live DJ and champagne specials around the clock. Glasses of bubbly prices are as follows: $5 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.; $6 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.; and $7 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

A unique concept that artfully blends the modern steakhouse and chic lounge into one, STK offers a dynamic, fine dining experience with the superior quality of a traditional steakhouse. Focusing on the social experience with a sleek, contemporary design and an in-house DJ, STK’s infectious, high-energy vibe in undeniable. The menu features reimagined classic American cuisine with signature dishes like bite-sized Lil’ BRGs made with Wagyu beef, Lobster Mac & Cheese and, of course, the highest quality steak. STK defines the modern fine dining experience with incredible food, world-class service and the perfect atmosphere.

For more information or to make a reservation, visit STK’s website or call 404.793.0144. STK Atlanta is located at 1075 Peachtree Street in Midtown Atlanta on the corner of Peachtree and 12th Streets in the 12th & Midtown development. Stay connected on Twitter and Instagram at @eatstk #stkatlanta.