Matador Room’s The Elyx Julmust, Photo Credit: Matador Room
Miami’s mixologists are making magic behind the bar with a lineup of innovative libations that are equal parts refreshing, luxurious and exotic. Start the year off on the right note with these drinks in hand.
The Elyx Julmust at Matador Room, The Miami Beach Edition
If you’re into sweet, this one’s for you. The Elyx Julmust at Matador Room by Jean-Georges Vongerichten blends Absolut Elyx (a light-bodied vodka with vanilla notes) with blackberry purée, blackberry shrub, crème de fraise and julmust (a seasonal Swedish soft drink). The fruity pour is garnished with fresh blackberry and in-house cinnamon incense cone, served in the bar’s signature Felix the Gnome mug.
The Inspiration: “Julmust soda is a Sweden favorite and a go-to during the holidays, so fusing it with Swedish-crafted Elyx vodka seemed like the perfect winter beverage. Presented in a copper mug coined ‘Felix the Gnome,’ it’s designed to emulate the warmth we desire during the holiday season.” — Angelo Vieira, bartender, The Miami Beach Edition
Twice as Spiced, Photo Credit: W Hotels Worldwide
Twice as Spiced at 15th & Vine, W Miami
Made with a spiced syrup topped with hard cider, cinnamon and pecan whiskeys, lime and chickpea juices, this playful cocktail lives up to its name. Top things off with an apple, cinnamon and nutmeg garnish and you’ve got a drink perfectly balanced for smooth sipping — not too sweet, not too sour.
The Inspiration: “My inspiration for the Twice as Spiced cocktail is adding a twist to your typical whiskey sour. I used natural ingredients to make [a] syrup and wanted to provide the unexpected, like creating an ‘eggless’ foam.” — Arielle Burneo, W Miami
The Peppermint Patty, Photo Credit: Bourbon Steak
The Peppermint Patty at Bourbon Steak, Miami by Michael Mina, Turnberry Isle Miami
A throwback to the Ramos Gin Fizz, Frank Sinatra’s must-have hangover elixir, the Peppermint Patty combines the sweetness of curaçao with the bite of ginger. To make this quencher, bartenders combine Stoli Elite, lemon and pineapple juices, Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao and heavy whipping cream. The mix is served in a white wine glass with a splash of ginger beer.
The Inspiration: “The Peppermint Patty cocktail was inspired by my favorite candy growing up as a kid. It has a taste that is very much reminiscent of the holidays, which is bound to make people smile before, during and after the holidays.” — Rafael Vazquez, mixologist and assistant general manager, Forbes Travel Guide Recommended Bourbon Steak, Miami by Michael Mina
The Vilanova, Photo Credit: Michael Tulipan
The Vilanova at Gin + Collins, AC Hotel Miami Beach
This new Miami Beach spot is full of drinks influenced by Spanish cocktail culture. As you might expect, gin and tonic are front and center here. The Vilanova, a refreshing spin on the classic drink, is made with orange in three forms — marmalade, bitters and peel.
The Inspiration: “For Gin + Collins, we wanted a refreshing spin on a classic Spanish gin and tonic, especially for those hot Miami nights. We were inspired by the Spanish-made GinMare, which uses botanicals like olives, thyme, basil and rosemary. When the gin [in The Vilanova] is combined with orange marmalade, orange bitters and 1724 tonic water, the cocktail truly brings out these Mediterranean flavors.” — Nikos Mantzaridis, head bartender, Gin + Collins
The Chanel, Photo Credit: Tatel Miami
The Chanel at Tatel Miami, The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach
Like its namesake, the Chanel at recently opened Tatel Miami (a venture backed by Enrique Iglesias and Rafael Nadal) is elegant, sophisticated and alluring. The signature cocktail features Belvedere vodka, lychee nectar, raspberry and coconut rhubarb pureés, homemade herbal syrup and a garnish of rose petals.
The Inspiration: “Our Chanel cocktail is an exceptional blend of spirits with floral and fruity notes. This vodka-based cocktail was inspired by the 1920s glamour during the Prohibition era. Chanel is perfect for an after-work drink with friends or to pair with dinner.” — Tatel Miami team
