Get inspired to drink your way across America (without ever leaving your backyard) with Margaritaville’s 50 Drinks in 50 States series.

There are a lot of fun facts about the state of Mississippi that you probably didn’t know. For instance, the first Teddy Bear was inspired in the State when President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt refused to shoot a trapped bear while on a trip there. A Mississippi shoes store was the first to start selling shoes in pairs and in boxes in 1884. The popular Coca-Cola drink was first bottled in Mississippi as well. The bottom line, is that Mississippi is a pretty forward-thinking place.

Although the drink we’ve nailed down for the State wasn’t created there, it gives a nice nod to the Magnolia State – we bring you Mississippi Punch in Mississippi.

This cocktail was created by Jerry Thomas, known as the father of American mixology. He printed the first book about cocktails in 1862 called How to Mix Drinks.

You can find slight variations of this beverage but the staple ingredients include bourbon, rum and lemon juice. It’s a combination that surely packs the punch in this drink.

Ingredients
• 2 ounces cognac
• 1 ounce bourbon
• ½ ounce dark rum (preferably Margaritaville Spiced Rum)
• ½ ounce lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons superfine sugar

Directions
Combine ingredients into a cocktail shaker with crushed ice. Strain into a Collins glass with ice. Garnish with an orange slice or raspberries.

A Twist
Variations of this beverage include black tea to brandy and bitters. Yum!