Summer is right around the corner, and with the change in the season comes the need for a new, refreshing cocktail. The Sawgrass Splash, the signature cocktail of THE PLAYERS Championship (March 11-16, 2025), takes summertime refreshment to the next level. Perfect for golf fans and cocktail enthusiasts alike, this vodka-based cocktail is made with GREY GOOSE® L’Orange and a tasty blend of simple syrup, lemonade, orange and lime juice. Whether you’re celebrating the 19th hole or tanning by the pool, THE PLAYERS Championship’s Sawgrass Splash is a go-to summer cocktail. It’s even better in person.
Since its inception in 1974, The Players Championship, commonly known as “THE PLAYERS,” has grown in stature and popularity, becoming a highlight of the golf season. The event features a field of 144 players who qualify based on stringent criteria, ensuring that only the best of the best compete. This includes the top 50 players from the World Golf rankings, current leaders in FedEx points, and winners from the past five years, making every tournament an exciting showcase of top-tier golf talent.
As with any great event, you gotta have an equally great drink to go along with it. After all, what's golf if there's no cold drinks to enjoy :)
This Sawgrass Splash is essentially a riff on the classic screwdriver, but it has a kick of lemon and lime to add a bit of tartness to the drink.
While most people enjoy the Sawgrass Splash for its refreshment that echoes the local flavor and excitement of the event, few outside of ardent golf enthusiasts truly understand the origin of the name and it's connection to one of golf's most insane moments back in 1982.
Sawgrass Splash Recipe:
We had previously featured a recipe from Grey Goose using their L'Orange vodka but the following is directly from one of the mixologists at TPC Sawgrass, so this is the official Sawgrass Splash recipe.
- 1 Vodka
- .5 oz Triple Sec
- 1.25 oz. lemonade
- 2 oz. fresh Florida orange juice
- .25 oz. lime juice
Method: Shake / Strain over Ice
Serving Glass: Collins
Garnish: Orange ½ Moon
Here is a video of Jon Mateer, the Beverage Manager at TPC Sawgrass making the Sawgrass Splash for THE PLAYERS. Note, the aluminum cups are only available during that event.
View this post on Instagram
While you can mix the Sawgrass Splash ingredients together in a glass, it also works fantastically whipped up in batches so that you have a pitcher on the table for brunch or while watching the game on TV at home.
Serve ice cold, and ideally, use fresh-squeezed citrus for the true taste of Florida sunshine!
Origins Of The Sawgrass Splash:
The Sawgrass Splash cocktail was created as a signature drink for The Players Championship held at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, Florida (just outside of St Augustine). While who created the original Sawgrass Splash is unknown, the previous recipe - involving simple syrup and more lemonade - was re-worked in 2001 when Jon Mateer, joined the team.
What most people don't realize is the "Splash" is a reference to the incident in 1982 when Jerry Pate pushed PGA Tour Commisioner Deane Beman and golf course designer Pete Dye into the lake after completing the 18th Hole and winning the championship. He then jumped in himself and of course everything was done in full view of media who promptly spread the word about this unexpected turn of events.
Interestingly though, this "splash" wasn't really a surprise to golf insiders since Pate told golf course designer Pete Dye that they were both going swimming if he won ... and even made a comment to the cameras earlier that day as well.
The result was that the already well-attended and popular golf tournament received immediate attention from sports and mainstream media around the world and has been referred to as "The Splash Heard 'Round The World."
It seems only right then to have an equally fun and exciting cocktail to enjoy at the tournament!
