Miami's cocktails, like it's people, come in all sorts of infusions, flavors and some come with a dash of spice. Test the waters of South Florida's craft cocktail scene start at these eccentric and tastful spots for drinks that you'll savor.
Welcome Home
Juanita Butler, the food and beverage manager at WunderBar, has been working in the industry for over a decade, previously putting in time at Swine, the Pubbelly Group, and Ortanique. At her new gig, which she describes as a rum-centric bar, the theme is using organic and natural ingredients to create delicious cocktails.
“We squeeze our own juices - we even use the guarapo machine that makes fresh sugar cane juice and we infuse it in a lot of our cocktails,” she explained.
Plus, WunderBar has the feel of being invited into someone’s brightly colored and printed family room, with a wall of more than 80 different types of rum, palm leaf decor, and comfy couches to enjoy your handcrafted cocktail. On top of taste and texture, there’s good old fashioned customer service that can’t be beat.
“How I would entertain my guests at home is how I would entertain my guests when they visit me at WunderBar,” Butler said.
WunderBar at Circa 39, 3900 Collins Ave. in Miami Beach, 305.503.1120
Prescription Hour
After a rough day, the Drawing Room’s pharmacists (er, bartenders) recommend handcrafted cocktails and small plates during the 1940s bar’s new Prescription Hour, weekdays from 5 to 7 p.m. Try the James Bond Melonball, a mouthwatering concoction of Florida watermelon soaked in Beluga Vodka essence served with fresh lime and sugar cane extract.
$10, Drawing Room Bar & Lounge at Shelborne Wyndham Grand, 1801 Collins Ave. in Miami Beach, 305.531.1271
Amaro Amore
In the heart of downtown Miami, this best kept secret of bars is chock full of unique and rare liquors you will only find in a handful of other bars in Miami. The Shrub Patch of Tamarina is the most creative one the bar offers, with Russian standard, Amaro Nonino, balsamic beet shrub, watermelon juice, and a leaf of basil.
$15, Tamarina, 600 Brickell Ave. in Miami, 305.579.1888
Sip. Eat. Repeat.
For Asian-inspired cocktails and bites, there’s Katsuya at the SLS with its new happy hour at the cozy Dragon Lounge, Sip. Eat. Repeat. Running Sundays to Thursday from 6 to 8 pm, the drinks are as innovative as their names, including the newest additions, the Lotus Flower and Dragon. The specialty drinks are $6 at 6 p.m. and $7 at 7 p.m.
Katsuya South Beach at the SLS Hotel, 1701 Collins Ave. in Miami Beach, 305.455.2995
From Barcelona to MIA
Inspired by Barcelona, the new restaurant on the beach is a cozy, casual eatery that also packs quite a punch with its cocktail menu. For Miami flair in a Spanish setting, there's the Mojito Illegal, a mixture white rum, mint syrup, and lime juice, a refreshing cocktail for these hot summer days. Kilma Restaurant and Bar is open everyday from 6pm to 2am.
$12, KLIMA, 210 23rd St. in Miami Beach, 786.453.2779