With the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival (AFWF) having kicked off yesterday at The Home Depot Backyard, it's set to be an exciting weekend for food and drink lovers here in The A. I had the chance to attend the festival kick off yesterday, and I made sure to sip my way through the fest so I could share a few of my faves. As someone who’s been to AFWF quite a few times, I have to admit that I was pretty impressed with the cocktail lineup this year.

If you’re heading to AFWF this weekend (September 11 - 13), consider this your cheat sheet to some of the festival’s best sips.

Malibu Pink Guava Colada

I’m a little over summer at the moment, but I have to admit that the Guava Colada at the Malibu Pink booth was a delicious reminder of everything I loved about the season. It was rich, fruity, and even a little celebratory. The kind of cocktail you order poolside at a chic beach resort. And despite it not being a frozen pina colada, I still found that it had all of the elements of a tasty pina colada: creamy, a little tart, and very sippable. Oh! And make sure you grab a Malibu Pink cosmetic bag early before they run out for the day! It’s super cute.

Absolut Hazelnut Espresso Martini

Espresso Martini lovers you’re in for a treat at AFWF. Absolut is serving not one, not two, but FOUR different Espresso Martinis. The options include a classic Espresso Martini, Vanilla Latte Espresso Martini, Thai Tea Espresso Martini, and a Hazelnut Espresso Martini. Unfortunately/Fortunately, I quickly fell in love with the Hazelnut Espresso Martini so I didn’t make my way to the other three options. With Absolut Vodka, Kahlua, macadamia nut liqueur, hazelnut syrup, and espresso, this one will almost make you want to skip dessert. Almost. Oh! And did I mention that they all come topped with a chocolate cold foam?

Blade and Bow F.I.L.A. Sour

So Blade and Bow absolutely wins the award for best cocktail name. And the cocktail itself was also pretty solid. Created by the folks at Raising the Bar, the F.I.L.A. Sour is a smooth blend of Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Bonal Gentiane-Quina (a French apéritif wine), pineapple mint syrup, and lime juice. The addition of pineapple mint syrup was such a clever way to create a unique twist on the classic Whiskey Sour.

Cazadores Fresa Pasion

I knew once they sprayed the inside of my cup with Smoked Agave Mist that it was on and popping. The Fresa Pasion was a sweet and smoky surprise that I think a lot of mezcal lovers will enjoy (despite there being no actual mezcal). In addition to the Smoked Agave Mist, the cocktail also features Cazadores Reposado, strawberry puree, lime, and salt. I have to give the ladies mixing drinks kudos because they provided stunning garnishes for each drink from the start of the festival to the very end.

Tubby’s Pineapple & Ginger

If you’re looking for a boozy option that’s a little on the lighter side, look no further than the locally-owned Tubby’s. Described as a fruit-forward sparkling rum cooler made with real ingredients, Tubby’s is meant for easy drinking (preferably poolside). I tried all three flavors (Pineapple & Ginger, Grapefruit & Guava, and Passionfruit & Mint), and the Pineapple & Ginger was a fast fave. I’m a big fan of ginger and bubbles, so I was sold immediately. I also feel like the Pineapple & Ginger flavor would be fun to experiment with for fall. Cinnamon & Pineapple Sangria maybe?

1000 Stories Cabernet Sauvignon

Given that it is called the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival, I had to make sure that I sampled a bit of vino during the fest. That’s how I came across 1000 Stories and their high alcohol Cabernet Sauvignon. With a whopping 16.5% ABV, the Cab Sav is surprisingly mellow in flavor. There are plenty of jammy strawberry notes, as well as a touch of vanilla. Both myself and the 1000 Stories rep agreed that their high alcohol Cabernet Sauvignon would make for a pretty stellar sangria.

Ready to get your sip on? Head to ATLFoodAndWineFestival.com to get your tickets.

I Sipped My Way Through the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival—These Were My Favorite Cocktails