Music fit to dance to drifts down the street and you’re working up a sweat in the sultry heat: it’s summertime in Miami, and time for a cocktail. Order one of the inventive drinks at the bars below to beat the heat and make the most of your 2021.
Read More19 Spots in Miami for Refreshing Summer Cocktails
The best spots for sipping under the sun
Calle23 Miami
This vibrant Coral Gables eatery brings the soul and rhythm of Cuba to the streets of the Sunshine State. Calle 23’s live music and brightly colored décor play up the zest of its Cuban- and Caribbean-inspired dishes, from the popular ceviche de corvina — a citrusy mix of sea bass, leche de tigre, mango and avocado — to quintessentially Miami bites like croquetas. For even more of an authentic Miami party, come for the restaurant’s happy hour. Whatever you order will pair well with their signature cocktail called the Essences of Love, a sweet and tangy mix of Grey Goose Essences Strawberry & Lemongrass, fresh watermelon, citrus, sugar, and a tropical energy drink.
Negroni Bistro & Sushi Bar
At this airy and stylish bistro that hails from Latin America, you can experience a unique fusion of Latin American, Italian, Spanish, and Japanese cuisines. Relax outside at the bistro’s Midtown Miami location, where you can sample diverse dishes like sushi rolls, Italian antipasti, or more substantial fare like squid ink pasta or slow-roasted short ribs with parmesan risotto. Don’t forget to cozy up to one of the restaurant’s two cocktail bars for a craft cocktail. For a sip that tastes like summer in Venice, order a Rosato Spritz, with spiced vermouth, prosecco, lemon juice and club soda.
Le Chick Miami
Inspired by Rotisserie Amsterdam, Le Chick Miami, in the city’s hip Wynwood neighborhood, specializes in Dutch-style juicy chicken and burgers. The mouth-watering food might get you through the doors at Le Chick, but the bar’s strong cocktails will keep you there listening to the DJ work his magic in the restaurant’s sleek dining room well past happy hour. Order a pitcher of the Summer Spritz cocktail for the table. With ingredients including Grey Goose Essences Watermelon & Basil, elderflower liqueur, yuzu lime tonic and prosecco, this cocktail truly tastes like a sip of summer.
Seaspice Brasserie & Lounge
The closest thing to the French Riviera this side of the Atlantic, Seaspice sits in the perfect spot in downtown Miami for watching yachts drift by on the river. Although the brasserie is known for its pasta — and seafood so fresh you’d think it was swimming this morning — the real pièce de résistance is the restaurant’s wine and cocktails. Why not get a drink that combines both? Try a Strawberry Essence Frosé, a fun slush of frozen rosé wine, Grey Goose Essences Strawberry & Lemongrass and strawberries.
The Dirty Rabbit
Part art installation and part bar, this party hotspot in Miami’s artsy Wynwood neighborhood has all the makings for an unforgettable night. When you get hungry, a burger joint inside the event space is ready to serve you upscale takes on handheld greasy-spoon favorites, such as the “dirty burger,” a beef patty topped with truffled cheese, caramelized onion, and Dijon mayo. While you dance and nosh, quench your thirst with one of the Dirty Rabbit’s mixologist-crafted cocktails, like the Mad Hatter’s Essence.
Booze Garden
At the aptly named Booze Garden, a nightclub and bar in Miami’s cool Wynwood Arts District, the drinks are stiff but the setting is laid back. Modeled after the first Booze Garden in Fort Lauderdale, this chill hangout sports a look that brings the outdoors inside. Like a backyard barbecue meets a block party, this venue is filled with games from vintage arcade games to giant Jenga. Kick back with your usual homestyle drinks made boozier, like Booze Garden’s Grey Goose Loaded White Claw.
Broken Shaker at Freehand Miami
Tucked inside the Freehand Hostel, the Broken Shaker is a cocktail bar that serves up imaginative drinks in a relaxed but exclusive atmosphere. Those in the know can find the Middle Eastern-inspired bar beside a small oasis of trees and flowers on the Freehand Hostel’s pool and patio. This isn’t the version of Miami that harbors nightclubs and spring breakers. This is the Miami of low-key luxury. Order some light bites like a falafel burger or an oyster mushroom pita, and pair those with a Fiero Bird cocktail, a sweet and floral fusion of Grey Goose Essence White Peach & Rosemary, M&R Fiero, pineapple and citrus.
The Lobster Shack - South Beach
At this second location of this great mom-and-pop seafood restaurant, get some of Miami’s best seafood off the glitzy streets of South Beach. It has some of the best lobster rolls in the city as well as oysters, fish tacos and more — all made to order. The restaurant also pours some refreshing drinks. Champagne and beer both brighten the savory flavors of classic lobster rolls but if you really want to live the high life, order a Strawberry Frosé, a popular rosé wine slushy spiked with Grey Goose Essences Strawberry & Lemongrass.
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Hyde at the SLS Hotel
Inside the stylish SLS Hotel on South Beach, you’ll find restaurants helmed by big-name chefs like José Andrés and Katsuya Uechi. At Hyde’s oceanfront location in SLS, you can order a Burning Mango cocktail, featuring Grey Goose vodka paired with ceviche made from hamachi, tuna, salmon and coconut.
Lido Bayside Grill at The Standard Spa
Take in the view of Biscayne Bay at the Standard Spa’s Bayside Grill, an outdoor restaurant on an island between Miami proper and the barrier islands of South Beach. At the Lido, you’ll feel like you’re on vacation in the Mediterranean. Dine on fresh seafood and Greek-inspired fusion fare as you watch the yachts breeze by on the bay. Pair that blissful view with a Goldfinch cocktail, a mix of Grey Goose Essences White Peach & Rosemary, lemon juice and ginger syrup, the perfect summer brunch drink.
Vista Restaurant
This airy outdoor eatery in Miami’s Buena Vista neighborhood capitalizes on some of the best views in the city. Vista’s rooftop bar lets you bask in sea breezes while sampling rustic Italian cuisine. Don’t miss the restaurant’s homemade pasta and take advantage of the fresh-from-Florida seafood that fills the menu, like their flavorful Florida snapper. But before your meal, order a Grey Goose Summer Spritz to get the night started.
Dolce
From the minds behind the popular restaurant Scarpetta, this South Beach restaurant has brought made-to-order, fresh mozzarella to Miami and we couldn’t be more thankful. Cozy up to a date in one of Dolce’s warm leather booths. While your eyes meet over a plate of spaghetti pomodoro, don’t forget about your drinks, like a Spicy Strawberry Collins, made with Grey Goose Essences Strawberry & Lemongrass.
Luca Osteria
As you’re walking along Giralda Plaza, the pedestrian thoroughfare at the heart of Coral Gables, many restaurants will call your attention, but be sure to not miss Luca Osteria, an upscale Italian spot serving up twists on classic dishes and cocktails. Spacious Giralda Plaza is ideal for outdoor seating, but the cozy dining room will make you feel like you’re in Parma. There are no wrong choices on Luca Osteria’s menu. Go for a simple classic like cacio e pepe or perhaps something you’ve never tried before, like the patate fritte, bite-sized fried potato balls drizzled with parmigiano fonduta, black truffle and egg yolk and pair it with the distinctive Portosole cocktail.
Redfish
This fine-dining seafood restaurant, recently revamped by celebrity chef Adrianne Calvo, occupies a stretch of Biscayne Bay waterfront in Matheson Hammock Park, right next door to the city’s famed Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and its world-class orchid collection. Sit outdoors in this tropical paradise and dine on your favorite seafood, from fresh raw oysters and tuna tartare from the raw bar to hearty entrees like cioppino seafood stew and garlicky, stuffed whole branzino. Meanwhile, land-lovers can dig into a hefty 50 oz. tomahawk rib-eye. Start your meal off with a White Peach Bellini, a hint of Georgia (and north Florida) that will always taste like summer, made with Grey Goose Essences White Peach & Rosemary.
Vineyard Restaurant and Bar
Another restaurant from the brain of celebrity chef Adrianne Calvo, the Vineyard Restaurant and Wine Bar recently moved to a new home near Kendall’s Love Lock Bridge. This massive new location, which accommodates more than 200 people, is dusky and romantic, reminiscent of a Napa Valley winery with barrel and copper-lined walls. The menu leans heavily on rich flavors and meat. If you’re there for a celebration, opt for the Rolls Royce of steaks, a Harris Ranch black angus five diamond reserve filet mignon, finished with cognac, Dijon and white truffle oil. For something on the lighter side, try the chef’s free-range chicken or whole snapper. Match the savory notes of your meal with a sweet and tangy Grey Goose Lychee Guava Martini.
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Black Point Ocean Grill
If you’d like to experience Key West, but you don’t want to drive so far, venture by land or sea to Black Point Park & Marina. Tucked inside a mangrove preserve on the shore of Biscayne Bay, the marina harbors another well-kept secret, a waterfront restaurant and bar that serves up dishes made with seasonal, fresh caught seafood and produce. Order something you can’t come by easily outside of Florida, like cracked conch, crunchy, batter-fried grouper or smoked fish dip, a Floridian classic. Dine on the patio or the boardwalk, where you might catch a glimpse of the state’s unofficial mascot, the American alligator. A Grey Goose Strawberry Essence Spritz made with Grey Goose Essences Strawberry & Lemongrass will help you kick back and enjoy the scenery.
The Lobster Shack - Miami Beach
Lobster Shack, a mom-and-pop seafood restaurant, began slinging the best lobster rolls in Miami almost a century ago. They’ve perfected the art of this iconic sandwich as well as oysters, fish tacos and more — all made to order in a setting reminiscent of the lobster joints of Cape Cod.
At the Miami Beach location, the Grey Goose lemonade, a boozy taste on a
classic summer drink, will be your sandwich’s perfect mate.
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La Otra
Don’t show up too early to this late-night spot in Miami’s fashionable Brickell neighborhood. At La Otra Miami, the party starts late and goes into the wee hours of the morning. Last call doesn’t happen until just before sunrise in this vibrant club, decorated with hanging plants and fairy lights, where celebrities often make nightly appearances. But don’t just go to La Otra to dance and people watch — make sure to order some finger food and a strong drink. Try a Sandia Con Amor made with Grey Goose Essences, which tastes as fresh as biting into a cold watermelon on a hot summer day.
Sweet Liberty
Now this is the Miami you’ve always heard about: glitz, glamour, neon Americana — and fresh seafood. Sweet Liberty Drinks & Supply Company is a restaurant and bar that’s packed, especially late in the night. Their cocktail list seems never-ending, and their menu of sophisticated American food puts luxury twists on homestyle classics. Sure, they have lobster mac and cheese. But they also have a Maine lobster “hot pocket,” caviar onion dip and chips, steak frites and Latin-fusion comfort food. Order a bunch of small plates to share, and pair those with a Fruit Essence Cocktail made with Grey Goose Essences.
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