It’s the most wonderful time of the year for craft cocktails, as our local watering holes whip up merry menus of holiday-themed libations. Any South Florida spot worth its tinsel knows this is the time to get creative, so we’ve rounded up a list of pop-up bars and staples that are offering unique holiday beverages to enjoy through the season. Cheers!
Bodega Taqueria y Tequila
West Palm’s go-to for Mexican street food is hosting a special holiday pop-up bar through Christmas Day. The theme is “Tropical Christmas,” and Bodega is celebrating with cocktails like the Cranberry Mule and Norbz’s Tinsel & Tequila. A portion of sales from the latter will benefit Dolphins Challenge Cancer. The drinks will also be available at all Bodega locations throughout South Florida.
118 S. Clematis St., West Palm Beach; 561/559-3119; bodegataqueria.com
Abe & Louie’s
This swanky Boca chophouse is celebrating the holidays with a cocktail befitting its sultry digs, the Smoked Cider. Made with Buffalo Trace Bourbon, apple, fall spice and pecan smoke, this libation is a perfect companion for any of Abe & Louie’s premium cuts. The Smoked Cider will also be available at Timpano Las Olas, another concept in the portfolio of Tavistock Restaurant Collection.
Abe & Louie’s: 2200 Glades Road, Boca Raton; 561/447-0024; abeandlouies.com
Timpano Las Olas: 450 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954/462-9119; timpanolasolas.com
Miracle and Sippin’ Santa
This holiday season is extra special for Miracle as the pop-up bar celebrates 10 years of spreading cheer. The festive bar, known for its craft cocktails and over-the-top decor, will be setting up shop at Ravish Off Ocean in Lantana and Casa Tiki in Miami. Menu standouts include the bourbon and sherry-based Stocking Stuffer with amaro, cinnamon syrup, iced “hot” chocolate, bitters and marshmallow, as well as the Nice and Naughty shots with rye whiskey and gingerbread or tequila, habanero, ginger and hibiscus—we’ll let you decide which is which. miraclepopup.com
Meanwhile, Sippin’ Santa will deck the halls of Juicy Cocktail Bar in West Palm Beach and Better Days in Miami. Sip on the Sugar Plum Mai Tai with Haitian & Nicaraguan rums, lime, orgeat and cinnamon syrup, and plum mix, or Frosty The Merman, made of rye whiskey, vanilla-clove syrup, lime, and pear, apricot and allspice liqueurs. Or both—we won’t judge. sippinsantapopup.com
Amrit Ocean Resort
The Singer Island resort is hosting the Tinsel Tavern holiday pop-up bar, which is taking over its Taaza beachfront restaurant for the season. Festive cocktail selections include the Merry Christmas Ya Filthy Animal, made with spiced rum, peppermint, eggnog and garnished with cinnamon; the smoky-sweet Fireside Mule with Islay Scotch, maple syrup, ginger beer, fresh lemon and roasted marshmallows; and Prancer’s Pomegranate Paloma with tequila, pomegranate and ginger ale. The pop-up is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 5 to 10 p.m.
3100 N. Ocean Drive, Riviera Beach; amritocean.com
Lefkes Estiatorio
Delray’s new Mediterranean concept Lefkes Estiatorio is adding the Greek Winter Martini to its cocktail menu for the season. This boozy treat is served warm and made with Agiorgitiko wine, Woodinville bourbon, peach schnapps, orange bitters, honey and cinnamon.
33 S.E. Third Ave., Ste. 105, Delray Beach; 561/908-2331; lefkesgroup.com
Josie’s Ristorante
This neighborhood-favorite Italian restaurant in Boynton Beach is adding the Mistletoe Martini to its cocktail menu through the month of December. The martini combines Tito’s vodka with St. Germain Elderflower liqueur and cranberry, and is garnished with mint leaf and fresh cranberries.
650 E. Woolbright Road, Boynton Beach; 561/364-9601; josiesristorante.com
Galley
Visitors to the Hilton West Palm Beach’s onsite restaurant can treat themselves to any (or all) of its three holiday cocktails. The Three Kings is made with Papa’s Pilar Dark Rum, Jamaican hibiscus tea, cinnamon demerara and lime; the Pumpkin Old Fashioned mixes Highwest Double Rye with spiced pumpkin purée, chocolate and orange bitters, and brown sugar; and the A State of Mind is a festive take on an espresso martini, made with Hudson Short Stack Whiskey, fresh-brewed espresso, cinnamon sweet cream, spiced maple syrup, and chocolate and Angostura bitters.
600 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; 561/231-6100; galleywestpalmbeach.com
Big City Tavern
This longtime Las Olas staple is offering the Santa’s Helper for the holidays, a cocktail made with bourbon, Baileys, eggnog and butterscotch schnapps. Through Dec. 31, Big City Tavern is also gifting a $10 gift certificate to those who purchase $50 gift cards.
609 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954/727-0307; bigcitylasolas.com
Sushi by Bou
Celebrate the holidays with an omakase experience at Sushi by Bou, and sip on the Tipsy Marshmallow for dessert. Made with Haku Vodka, marshmallow syrup and espresso, then topped with a graham cracker rim and roasted marshmallow garnish, this cocktail is the perfect way to end the meal after the sushi boat has sailed.
409 S.E. Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton; 888/670-5996; sushibybou.com
Lazy Dog Restaurant
The friendly neighborhood bar and grill will be offering its housemade pomegranate sangria and smoked maple bacon old fashioned through the holidays.
9636 Glades Road, Boca Raton; 561/489-5607; lazydogrestaurants.com
The Holly Jolly Bar
From Dec. 12-29, The Deck at Wynwood will host a takeover by The Holly Jolly Bar. This pop-up pulls out all the stops when it comes to festive decor, so expect to be immersed in a winter wonderland as you sip holiday-themed cocktails.
2250 N.W. Second Ave., Miami; 305/461-2700; thedeckwynwood.com
Tipsy Flamingo
This downtown Miami bar is getting festive with three seasonal cocktails: the Santa’s Midnight Snack blends Four Walls Whiskey with gingerbread, crème de cacao, vanilla and cream; the Panettone Negroni, which puts a twist on the classic libation with Lillet Blanc, Licor 43, Frangelico, Disaronno and a biscotti garnish; and the Peppermint Mocha, made with Ketel One, Baileys, crème de cacao, peppermint and espresso.
40 N.E. First Ave., #101, Miami; 305/646-9967; tipsyflamingomiami.com
Rosa Sky
Celebrate the “12 Days of Pinkmas” at Rosa Sky, and pair your holiday festivities with breathtaking views of the Magic City. From Dec. 12-25, the rooftop bar invites you to enjoy daily holiday-themed cocktail specials for each of the 12 days, including the Angel Eggnog, Christmas Tree Martini and Ornament Spritz.
115 S.W. Eighth St., 22nd Floor, Miami; 786/628-1515; rosaskyrooftop.com
