Holiday Libations: Where to Find Seasonal Cocktails in Miami & South Florida
Restaurants and bars across South Florida are inviting guests to celebrate the holidays with exclusive seasonal cocktails, from “Bad Santa” selections to peanut butter espresso martinis. These libations have been thoughtfully crafted to stir up the holiday spirit from now until the new year. Here are the best places to find buzzy holiday drinks all season long.
Four Festive Flavors at Whiskey Neat Cocktail Lounge
With one of the largest whiskey selections in South Florida (over 230 rare varieties), Whiskey Neat is a reliable source when it comes to delicious spirits. This relaxing urban cocktail lounge is serving four can’t-miss holiday-themed cocktails this season, including the St. Nik Sour, made with Duke & Dame salted caramel whiskey, lemon and simple syrup; the Holiday Affair, a blend of Don Julio Reposado, apple cider, cranberry and prosecco; Mistletoe at Midnight, featuring Wheatley vodka, espresso, Mr. Black coffee liqueur and homemade chocolate peppermint syrup; and the Night at the Nutcracker, made with Redemption rum cask rye, chocolate bitters and homemade brown sugar pecan syrup.
Fort Lauderdale: 1035 SE 17th St., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316; Plantation: 12310 W. Sunrise Blvd., Plantation, FL 33323
Peanut Butter Whiskey at JOEY Aventura
After a day of holiday shopping at Esplanade at Aventura, skip the coffee shops and get your spiked espresso fix at JOEY Aventura. The restaurant’s Skrewball Espresso Martini mixes Skrewball Peanut Butter Whisky with JOEY’s fresh dark espresso and a touch of Irish cream liqueur. The robust drink is served neat so drinkers can experience its silky taste of bitter dark chocolate blended with the creamy deliciousness of peanut butter, crafting a nostalgic feel of winter holiday cocktails as both a dessert drink and a pick-me-up.
Esplanade at Aventura, 19505 Biscayne Blvd Suite 1150., Miami, FL 33180
Bad Santa Specials at Quarterdeck Restaurants
Slide on your Santa hat, because Quarterdeck Restaurants is serving up its “Bad Santa” holiday drinks from December 1-24 across all five South Florida locations. The four specialty cocktails include the White Christmas, a festive blend of Stoli Vanilla vodka, Baileys salted caramel liqueur and half-and-half; Jack Frost, a mix of Espolòn Blanco, coconut purée, triple sec and lime juice; Under the Mistletoe, featuring Papa’s Pilar blonde and dark rum, blueberry purée, apple cider and rosemary; and The Old Fashioned, with Knob Creek smoked maple rum, a sugar cube, Filthy Cherry and chocolate bitters. Guests can sit in the no-frills dining rooms and bars or on the relaxing outdoor patios. In addition to holiday cocktails, Quarterdeck will also feature weekly December food specials.
Davie | Fort Lauderdale | Fort Lauderdale Beach | Sawgrass | Dania Beach
Specialty Cocktails at Segafredo L’Originale on Lincoln Road
Segafredo L’Originale, situated in the heart of Miami Beach on Lincoln Road, is a hangout spot for locals and visitors alike, serving specialty cocktails to celebrate the holidays! Stop by to enjoy a Matcha Martini or a Pumpkin Spiced Martini alongside fan-favorite dishes like the Segafredo Burger all month long, including on Christmas Day!
1040 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, FL 33139
White Cosmo at Casa Sensei
Get close to a winter wonderland this holiday season by sipping from Casa Sensei’s White Cosmo ($15). The Pan-Asian and Latin American restaurant’s winter-esque cocktail is a crisp blend of vodka, St-Germain, white cranberry juice, fresh lemon juice and cranberry garnish for that pop of red and white. Enjoy this holiday treat from Casa Sensei’s al fresco waterfront patio or via a scenic Riverfront Gondola Tour overlooking the stunning canals of Las Olas.
1200 E. Las Olas Blvd., #101, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Golden Coquito at Orno
Savor the holiday magic at Orno, the New American restaurant by James Beard Award nominee, Chef Niven Patel, located at THesis Hotel in Coral Gables. Indulge in Orno’s Golden Coquito ($20) cocktail, a captivating blend of Ron del Barrilito 3 Stars, coconut milk, condensed milk and holiday spices. The cocktail is topped with a decadent hot ginger and turmeric foam making each sip a toast to the Caribbean Christmas classic. The traditional Puerto Rican drink embodies the island's spirit, as it is a coconut and rum based eggnog for which many families have recipes that are shared by generations.
1350 S. Dixie Highway, Coral Gables, FL 33146
A Nutcracker Christmas at Teatro at the Adrienne Arsht Center
For theatergoers, or those who plan to see The Miami City Ballet’s highly anticipated production of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker this holiday season, Teatro is an immersive dining experience on the second floor of the Adrienne Arsht Center Ziff Ballet Opera House led by the experts at Constellation Culinary Group. In honor of the ballet making its way to Biscayne, the restaurant has created a signature cocktail inspired by the classic Christmas special. The Dancer ($20) is made with Grey Goose Vodka, pomegranate liqueur, cranberry, simple syrup and rosemary. The drink is presented in a Christmas ornament and poured into a glass garnished with rosemary leaves and cranberries.
Adrienne Arsht Center, Ziff Ballet Opera House, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33132
