Weekend Cocktailian: Where to Imbibe in Miami

This weekend, balance your holiday to-do list with plenty of opportunities for cocktail cheer.

Miami Twitterati Get Social 
The lovely Web City Girls are back to host a holiday party for a wonderful cause. Join them tonight (Thursday Dec. 16th) at the Bleu Moon Lounge for cocktails, light bites, networking and holiday cheer. Your $20 donation at the door benefits Children's Home Society of Miami. The fun begins at 6 p.m. You can RSVP through Twitter or Facebook. 

Bossa Nova Happy Hour

The Brazilian-American Chamber of  Commerce has found a way to make happy hour even happier: add bossa nova. This Friday (December 17th), get to the National Hotel at 7 p.m. for a special Young Professionals Bossa Nova Happy Hour. Bring a toy for Projecto Decolando as admission and head in to network, grab signature drinks and listen to live bossa nova. Reduced-priced happy hour continues throughout the night. 

Early Arrival
Typically scheduled for the last Friday of the month, Viernes Culturales takes place tomorrow (Friday, Dec. 17th) in order to catch the Christmas spirit. Instead of hitting up yet another mall, get some fresh air over at Calle Oche between 13th and 17th Avenues. Pick up last minute presents from vendors, play a game of domino, enjoy the live music. Options for drink and food are plentiful, but don't forget to check out the new addition Quiereme Mucho...Morena while you're in the area. 

Now Open...

This Saturday (December 18th), Sustain Restaurant + Bar opens its doors at 5 p.m. Focused on sustainability and seasonality, Executive Chef Alejandro Piñero has crafted a menu with fresh, regionally sourced items and has filled the bar with fresh cocktails and craft beer. Head over to 3252 NE 1st Ave Saturday or Sunday after 5 p.m. 

Vino e Olio e Libri
Sunday evening, Vino e Olio hosts a holiday book drive benefiting Amigos for Kids. From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., bring new books for children up to 14 years of age and receive a free cocktail and light bites from the kitchen. Just let them know you plan to attend by sending an email to rsvp@amgwagency.com.

Eat, drink, play and just call the damn cab: 305-444-4444.

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Weekend Cocktailian: Where to Imbibe in Miami

The weekend is finally here. Get your holiday game face on and head out for merry-making all around town.

Happy Hour Heaven
Shake off a long workweek with AtlaMare's new happy hour. The beloved South Beach staple is offering beer, wine (including bubbly) and handcrafted cocktails for the gracious price range of $3-$6 Monday to Friday from 5 p.m.- 7 p.m. Order a good drink, grab a fresh bite and warm up the weekend.

Get Your Smoke On
Cigars, we mean, of course. Head over to Neptune Cigars Superstore near Dadeland Mall at 6 p.m tonight to test out the latest stogies from Guillermo Leon. Not to forget Miami's other bbf, Zafra Rum will be served along with the cigars. The event runs until 9 p.m.

Weekend in Wynwood (again)
Saturday, get some of your Christmas shopping knocked out at Launch Arte Miami Market. Located at 121 NE 36th Street, the market features artists, artisans and antique vendors selling unique wares. Join them from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. to pick up one-of-a kind gifts, then prowl around the neighborhood's many excellent cocktail opportunities including newly opened options Wynwood Kitchen & Bar and Blue Piano Music Lounge & Wine Bar.

Paradisal Imbibing
Dinner in Paradise returns this Sunday (Dec. 12th). The five-course menu (six with hors d'oeuvres) is prepared by local star chefs using local, organic food. Prior to the 6 p.m. dinner is a cocktail reception and a gorgeous sunset tour. Tickets can be purchased with Paradise Farms for $165; a portion of the procedures benefits the amazing Urban Oasis Project.

Monday Night Spillover
Miami mixologists are throwing down Monday night at STK in the Gansevoort Hotel. Join Svedka vodka and Miami Magazine at 7 p.m. to sample handcrafted cocktails and vote for your favorite. Let them know you'll be bringing your cocktailian taste buds by emailing your RVSP to RSVPmiami@modernluxury.com.

Drink, eat, play and just call the damn cab: 305-444-4444.

Pour serious cocktails right into your feed. Subscribe to the newsletter or join Cocktail Mia on Twitter. 

Drink Culture's Finest: The Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series Finale with Russell Simmons and Mark Ecko

Cocktails follow us around in ways we often do not think about. Yes, of course, they are with us at the club, they relieve us at 5 o’clock and they love hanging out with food. There are, however, other occasions where they make a quiet yet valuable presence: when we converse with friends, meet new connections or try to slow time on a Sunday afternoon. Certainly, they were with us last week through Art Basel. “Art, food, drink, there is a thread running through them,” said Bombay Sapphire Brand Manager Rich McLeod on the eve of the Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series finale.

 In collaboration with Russell and Danny Simmons’ Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation and Mark Ecko’s Complex Magazine, the Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series set out to discover the next big names in urban photography and multi-media art. Giles Woodyer, VP Brand Managing Director of Bombay Sapphire commented on the partnership: “We don’t see ourselves as separate from art. When we sponsor, we don’t just sit back. We get involved. We see Bombay Sapphire and cocktails as being interwoven into the program, into the arts.”  

Setting its pace with Rush Philanthropic's commitment to supporting emerging artists in urban areas, the Artisan Series began its nationwide search in June. Six months, 10 cities and 20 finalists later, the finale came to Miami during Art Basel. After showing at Verge Art Fair, the works were judged by an expert panel that included visual artists Danny Simmons and Andre Guichard, designer Mark Ecko and photographer Eric Henderson. Two finalists (one multi-media artist and one photographer) were selected to have their work shown at Manhattan's Rush Arts Gallery in January. 

Saturday night marked the final showing and the announcement of the two winners. With Sapphire Armature in hand, we had an early opportunity to browse the finalists’ fine work.  “What’s been really amazing to see is the passion that they have, the love of the craft,” Rich McLeod had said the night before; he was not exaggerating. The artists’ dedication to their craft showed through brilliantly. Taking a sip of the juicy, stone fruit cocktail, we moved among pieces, lingering over loving surrealistic visions, beautifully textured nudes and haunting photography. Expert skill, thoughtful conception and fine execution covered a range of subject matter: tender memories, movement in stillness, heavy social commentary and radiant, natural beauty.

Picking up a pair of clean, crisp Artist’s Proof cocktails, we walked with photographer and judge Eric Henderson. Stopping at his beautifully soft black and white photography captured exclusively on his beloved 1950 Kodak Brownie Hawkeye, he spoke about “the infinity between supposedly outdated parameters”. “You know, there’s a tendency to think that when one black artist is discovered, everything’s been covered or that the possibilites have been exhausted. It’s a misconception; there’s so many people not being seen; there is an infinity in between those parameters.” We moved to artist and judge Andre Guichard's work full of intricate lines more akin to a base relief sculpture than to traditional painting. Sipping our drinks, we realized Guichard has figured out how to rework Pollack in a way, not imitative, but utterly fresh, individual and inventive.

Our attention was turned to the stage, where Russell and Danny Simmons began speaking about their deep love of the arts and Rush's absolute commitment to artists. “You know, when we started [Rush]15 years ago, we really just wanted to focus on artists, on getting artists exposure, and to help children in New York tap into their creative voices. Not that they’re all necessarily going to become artists but they all have creative voices...It’s about a way of thinking,“ said Danny Simmons

Russell Simmons continued on his brother’s thoughts, “Supporting the arts and giving back to the community are things I’ve always cared about deeply.  Each one of us has creativity inside of us; it’s in everything we do, and we’re working on getting kids to tap into that, into their imaginations. Given the times that we’re in, I can’t imagine how we’re going to get out of it without young, creative minds.”

The Simmons brothers’ love of the arts and commitment to supporting undiscovered artists had set the tone for the evening. As the bartenders were mixing up the fragrant Sapphire Sea Salted Watermelon Collins, we looked over the crowd and saw something palpably special. Approachable, grounded established artists were talking shop, emerging artists were eagerly sharing their ideas with interested curators, and celebrities were mingling with the crowd. Without pretension. Without exclusivity. There was only finely crafted art being shared, celebrated and toasted among a group as beautiful in personality as in appearance.

This passion for the arts resulted in a difficult judging as well.  “You know, it's really hard to judge which are the best because art is so subjective. But, we have come up with a decision," Danny noted before the winners were announced. Representing the 305, multi-media artist Jorge Cavalier was selected for his intricate Laberinto while D.C. photographer Stan Squirewell was selected for his striking Carbon Anomaly.  Commenting on his concept, Squirewell reflected: “I wanted to use it as a way of talking about how we categorize people. Really, there’s no green or yellow or red people. That’s been a little bit of an issue for me: these division lines.” We toasted to his success, to the night and to the blooming of the Artisan Series.

As the event began to close, we took one last, long look. Fiercely independent viewpoints were on the walls; below, their creators were in discussion with the receptive crowd. They were laughing, conversing, clinking glasses. We snapped one last shot, capturing drink culture at its finest: seamlessly intertwined into celebration and the joyful exchange of ideas. 

Holiday Cocktails: The Sparkling Sleigh Ride at Morton's Steakhouse

'Tis the season for festive cocktailians, and drinks will be freely poured from now until the New Year. There are many, many cocktail options, but not all make Santa's nice list. Be wary of the super-sugary, the heavily weighted and the just plain terrible. As you traverse the wild world of holiday cocktails, a few good suggestions can cut out wasted time and wasteful libations.

Among the lovely cocktails that honor the spirit of the season is a little number at Morton's Steakhouse known as the Sparkling Sleigh Ride. Delicately mixing crisp prosecco with robust Luxardo and mellow Tuaca, The Sleigh Ride finishes with a light addition of cranberry. The mint leaf garnish adds a holiday touch and gives a freshness to the nose, but it is best to remove before imbibing. The cocktail opens with crispness and a light sweetness. Expect a merry mix of traditional Christmas flavors: dried fruit, mild herbaceousness and subtle warm spices followed by a clean, short finish. The Sparkling Sleigh Ride's balance of authentic sweetness, gentle bubbles and crispness means this holiday cocktail can be imbibed by itself, with appetizers or after a meal, particularly with a slice of New York Cheesecake.

Available through New Year's Eve, the Sparkling Sleigh Ride is available for $14.50. Order it before 6:30 p.m. or after 9 p.m. and catch the new bar bites for $5 and $6 dollars. Satisfying plates such as the new Smoked Salmon Pizza (smoked salmon, sour cream, capers and red onion on top of a pizza bread mid-way between a cracker and focaccia) or the melt-in-your-mouth Mini Prime Cheeseburgers are offered in generous portions. Just be certain to bring a friend, so you can toast the season.

View the appetizing slideshow here.

Happy Holidays, Cocktailian!

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Images courtesy of Daso Design.

Spirit Review: Ron Atlantico Private Cask

Just past its two-year anniversary, Ron Atlantico Private Cask has hometown love built right into it. The creation of Aleco Azqueto and Brandon Lieb, Atlantico was conceived with Miami drink culture in mind. "With the reemergence of the classic cocktails and our hometown's appreciation of fine products, Miami was a natural market to introduce this exclusive dark rum to U.S. consumers," says co-founder Brandon Lieb. Aww, thanks, Brandon, you're making us blush.

Around this American rum oasis we call home, Atlantico has become widespread, weaving its way into cutting-edge cocktails and coming home from the spirit shop for straight sipping. So, how did the founders develop a rum intended to please America's most discriminating rum imbibers? They found their answer in the Dominican Republic, where Atlantico begins much like a blended scotch, with a choice selection of rums of varying ages. The rums are then introduced to each other for one year to two years in bourbon barrels where they begin to mingle and unify. Continuing in another set of barrels for 15 to 25 years, the spirit undergoes the complex solera process in order to insure consistency and quality. Bottling is done by hand, and quality is carefully insured before the cork seals the deal.

The proof, of course, is always in the performance. With the beautiful bottle in hand, we poured a few to see Atlantico in action.

The Brilliant
Atlantico's time in bourbon barrels comes through from the moment it is poured. Vanilla, cream and caramel dominate the nose; behind these full notes are a very subtle spice and an almost minty freshness. The opening has a golden, creamy body full of warm brown sugar and natural sweetness. The viscous beginning  unfolds into a drier middle with dominant oak notes. The finish, more breath than liquid, is beautifully long with vanilla, caramel and oak notes rising in turn. Rather than burning or biting, alcohol content works to warm and to enhance the rum's profile throughout the sip.  

The Lackluster
The oak that appears in the middle has a moment right before the finish where its strength is almost astringent and fairly peaty. While these notes are not in and of themselves undesirable (particularly for scotch lovers), they are slightly awkward next to the rum's vivid cream and caramel character.

In Cocktails
While the slight astringent moment appears in the straight sip, Atlantico's balance of richness, viscousity and dryness offers a complex, high-quality base for a wide range of cocktails. A general rule of thumb for home-mixing:  Ingredients that benefit from the addition of vanilla will sing when mixed with Atlantico, so think nuts, warming spices, stone fruits, cream, chocolate, and fresh citrus. Trade up that watered-down vanilla vodka and coke for Atlantico and Iron Beer. Mix it with ginger beer for a perfect Dark & Stormy. Balance it between a dry herbal liqueur and citrus by muddling thyme and lemon then adding a little Luxardo maraschino liqueur and Italian lemon soda.

Its flavor similarities with bourbon offer easy variations of many bourbon-based cocktails; use it in an Old-Fashioned or an Algonquin with fresh pineapple juice. Just in time for this week's severe temperature drop, its mellow alcoholic warmth makes it an ideal candidate for hot drinks. Select it for hot buttered rum or pour Atlantico into hot apple cider or hot white chocolate. The one category with which to be cautious is tiki drinks. Under the weight of multiple, thick ingredients, Atlantico's subtlety may be disguised. You need not avoid the whole category, but be certain to use only fresh-squeezd juices poured with a light hand and the tropical classic Velvet Falernum to add complex, layered spice.

Final Insight
At a suggested retail of $35, Atlantico is a fine selection for slow, straight sipping as well as for high-quality cocktails. Highly flexible, Ron Atlantico works with an incredible range of libations. Its careful crafting has yielded a spirit in which alcohol accentuates rum's richness rather than make a biting statement of its own. With the holidays upon us, Atlantico partners perfectly with traditional holiday spices and will produce an egg-nog to die for. The best way to find Atlantico is to check out the purchase option on the website. Add your zipcode, and its map shows the closest locations to buy a bottle or order a cocktail.

Cheers, Cocktailian!

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Weekend Cocktailian: Where to imbibe in Miami

The beautifully cool weather has arrived just in time for a massive weekend in Miami. Break out your best off-summer clothing and order warming bourbon and brandy cocktails all weekend long.

Cookbook Preview
Star Chef Michael Schwartz may not be publishing his anticipated cookbook, Michael's Genuine Food: Down-To-Earth Cooking For People Who Love To Eat, until February, but tonight you can get a taste of the culinary adventure. At Michael's Genuine Food & Drink (140 NE 40th St.), a short film on the book's production will be shown from 7 p.m. to midnight. Casa Dragones Tequila will be there with complimentary drinks, or you can order lovely cocktails like the Sonny Rollins (Basil Hayden Bourbon, chilled tea, orange blossom honey and lemon) from Michael's skilled bartenders.

'Tis the Season for Local Produce
Great cocktails start with beautiful spirits and fresh ingredients, and it doesn't get much fresher than our farmers' markets offering produce from down the street. As farmers' market season kicks off, two new weeklies join the ranks: Liberty City and South Miami.

Running from noon to 6 p.m., the Liberty City Market features Redlands produce, honey and cheese as well as Southern favorites like pecans, sweet potatoes, peanuts and greens courtesy of regional farmers in Southern Georgia. Focused on making fresh food accessible, the market offers dollar-for-dollar matches up to $10 for SNAP users. Expect activities for the kids and music for all. Find them at Talcolcy Park at the Tacolcy Center (6161 NW 9th Ave).

South Miamians need not travel down to the Redlands anymore because the Redlands is coming to them starting this Saturday at 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. This year-round farmers' market offers in-season produce, eggs, dairy, artisanal products, edible and native plants and green technology vendors. Meet your neighbors at the South Miami City Hall at 6130 Sunset Drive.

Friday Night in Coral Gables
Coral Gables sets off Friday night at 7 p.m. with two great events. Giralda Under the Stars closes off Restaurant Row between Ponce de Leon and Galiano and pours food, drink and entertainment into the street. Best stops for cocktail lovers: Talavera for delicate cocktails and The Bar for pure and simple mixes.

Or, cross Miracle Mile and head to the Ponce Circle Park for the Art in the Park free concert series. Tomorrow features a range of music from Cuban, classic rock, R & B and jazz. The event is accompanied with an all-night happy hour, vendors and a boxing ring with Don King waiting for you inside (which should be extra-fun after a cocktail warm-up).

New Cocktailians on the Block
Right in time for the art, two great cocktail opportunities opened this week in the Wynwood Arts District.

Headed by experts in their fields, both aspects of the Blue Piano Music Lounge & Wine Bar are set to live up to expectations. Aniece Meinhold (aka Epicurous Chic) has crafted a beverage program that blends heritage and creativity. Expect carefully selected craft beers and a wine list focused on sustainability. For the adventurous, there is a playful selection of "wine mocktails" and beer punch. Keeping with the old adage to eat when you drink and drink when you eat, small plates are offered including a rotating selection of cheese and cured meats. Under the direction of five-time Grammy Award Winner Jorge Villamizar, the entertainment consists of a fine mix of salsa, jazz and blues. Expect a warm atmosphere in which to share drink, food, conversation and great music. Find the Blue Piano Music Lounge and Wine Bar at 4600 NE 2nd Ave from 4 p.m. to midnight (Wednesday to Saturday) or Monday and Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.


Across from the Wynwood Walls, the Wynwood Kitchen & Bar has opened its doors. Inspired by the creativity around it, the contemporary American restaurant has original local art on its walls as well as a Shepard Fairly mural. So loved is art that it even made it into the cocktails, which play tribute to the creatives behind the Walls. Meet them Monday to Saturday between 11 a.m to midnight; the bar stays open an extra hour.

A Touch of Basel
Going beyond quiet sponsorship, Bombay Sapphire has launched the Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series along with the Rush Philanthropic Art Foundation and Complex Magazine. From 2,000 nationwide entries, the team has narrowed down 20 finalists in the search for the best of upcoming urban photographers and multi-media artists. Before the final judging, check out the final twenty's work at the Verge Art Fair at the Catalina Hotel and Beach Club from today (Thursday) to Saturday. Two overall winners will be selected to have their fine works shown at the Rush Arts Gallery in New York.

SAPAL (Soho Arts Pavilion and Lounge) is offering a perfect end to your cocktailian prowls through the Arts District this weekend. In the chic lounge space complete with full bar, join them Friday for the Maya Swimwear Fashion Show or Saturday for the official Art Asia after-party. Both events begin at 10 p.m. and feature the Red Cross's thoughtful "Our World. Your Move." exhibit.

For more Arts Weeks events, The Cultured Cocktailian is available to guide you to the best cocktail opportunities.

Drink, eat, play and just call the damn cab: 305-444-4444.

Pour serious cocktail events right into your feed. Subscribe to the newsletter or join Cocktail Mia on Twitter.