While snow might be a distant dream, South Florida embraces the holiday spirit with an array of inventive winter cocktails, refreshing zero-proof options, and festive celebratory drinks. The region’s top establishments are expertly blending tropical flavors with seasonal cheer, offering unique beverages to toast the festive season.
Seasonal Cocktail Creations
Mixologists across Miami and West Palm Beach are crafting signature beverages that capture the essence of the holidays, frequently incorporating warming spirits and spiced infusions.
Global and Tropical Flavors
Many venues offer creative interpretations of classics and global influences. Uchi Miami in Wynwood features the Kasai, a rum-based, Japanese-inspired drink with cinnamon-vanilla syrup and torched caramelized citrus, available until mid-January. Donna Mare Italian Chophouse provides an elegant twist with the Christmas Negroni Sbagliato, blending Mionetto Prosecco with Campari and sweet vermouth, garnished with blood orange. For island vibes, Bungalow Beach Bar & Grill serves the Mele Kaliki-Mai Tai, a tropical Mai Tai featuring spiced rum and a candy cane garnish, best enjoyed with live DJ music.
Coquito and Eggnog Specialties
The region’s Latin heritage shines through in its holiday eggnog offerings. The Commodore at The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove offers an exclusive “Cookies & Coquitos” menu, developed with Gio Gutierrez. Guests can purchase festive coquito creations, such as the Puerto Rican Coquito with Bacardi Ocho rum or Mexican Rompope with Patrón Reposado tequila, starting at $22 and perfectly paired with themed gourmet cookies. The Commodore also offers a flight of four coquito varieties for $44. Meanwhile, Divebar in Miami Beach provides a wintry Peppermint Coquito mixed with Rumhaven and horchata, served with a candy cane straw, alongside the festive Christmas Morning Mimosa. For a sophisticated nightcap, The Lobby Bar features the St-Germain Snowfall Spritz, an elegant blend of St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur, Grey Goose Vodka, and prosecco, finished with edible glitter and rosemary.
Zero-Proof and Non-Alcoholic Options
For those preferring non-alcoholic refreshments, innovative zero-proof options ensure everyone can partake in the seasonal fun. Avocado Grill introduces new frozen beverages perfect for sipping throughout the season. These include the comforting Frozen Apple Pie, which blends baked apple flavors with warming spices, and the Blueberry Brambler, a bright mix of fresh blueberries and lemon, both of which can be customized with a preferred liquor for an added kick.
