The celebration, which falls on the first Friday of June each year, was created by the Salvation Army in 1938 to honor those who served doughnuts to soldiers during World War I. The holiday takes on a greater meaning this year, as the nation's doughnut obsession finally hit Miami in 2016. Better late than never, right?
The Salty Donut, a locally grown doughnut shop responsible for much of the 305's recent dough-and-a-hole fascination, is going all out in terms of festivity.
On June 3, the artisanal shop will host an exclusive release party with Lyfe, debuting a limited edition T-shirt inspired by the sweet-filled day. The party will then move to the Anderson, where edible and inflatable doughnuts will collide for a soiree filled with '80s swagger and lots of booze.
"It's not really a common practice for a doughnut shop to throw a party," says Salty Donut cofounder Andy Rodriguez. "That's why, for starters, we wanted to make it small and touch every single customer, making sure everyone has a great experience."
Only 120 tickets are available for Salty's release party, which will be held next door to J. Wakefield Brewery at 150 NW 24th St. in Wynwood. The evening, which runs from 7 to 10 p.m., will feature eats and drinks from some of the Salty Donut’s frequent collaboration partners, including J. Wakefield Brewery and Miami Smokers, along with unlimited samplings of Salty's classic flavors like maple bacon and brown butter and sea salt. Every ticket holder will receive a Lyfe and Salty Donut t-shirt along with an individually wrapped, never before seen or tasted National Doughnut Day doughnut by the Salty Donut, which can be eaten on-site or taken home as a late-night snack.
"If it was any bigger, it wouldn't give us an opportunity to do something really special," Rodriguez says. "We're shooting for quality over quantity. This is going to be something where every single person gets a great experience."
Those who can't snag tickets to Salty's exclusive doughnut party can head to the Anderson for an 80s-inspired after party, open to the public. Expect doughnut-driven decor, including dessert-centric inflatables, along with a one-night-only doughnut and cocktail pairing between Salty and the Anderson.
Details on the two limited-edition doughnuts remain secret, but Rodriguez says the Salty Donut is using both events, the official
"There's a lot of constraints being at the pop-up, being outside, and needing to make such a high-volume of doughnuts," he says. "Because this is smaller, we can focus on these two doughnuts."
"We don't want to give away the flavor profile," he adds, "but we can say there will be something with flames and fire involved."
To spawn Salty's '80s-throwback doughnut for the Anderson after party, Rodriguez says he and co-founder Amanda Pizarro gave Salty's pastry chef Max Santiago a list of "random things that are food related from that time" to help spark an over-the-top doughnut creation.
"We gave him a list of things like Twinkies and Moon Pies and other random stuff," he says, "and now he'll play around with it. It won't be the world's most technical doughnut, but it'll be fun and it'll really be a surprise, even to us. It will also inspire the Anderson's cocktail that will be paired with it."
Rodriguez says the exclusive cocktail will take the doughnut's theme and base to create a boozy drink. The bar's regular cocktail menu will be available too.
To purchase tickets, which are priced at $52 per person, for the Salty Donut and Lyfe's event, visit mixstir.com.
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