Liquor and Spirits

Miami Rum Renaissance Festival: Ten Rums You Probably Haven't Tried Yet

This year's Miami Rum Renaissance Festival was bigger than ever. In its new home at the Miami Airport Convention Center at the Doubletree by Hilton, there was ample room for rum exhibitors, seminars, and even on outdoor cigar lounge where attendees could enjoy a spirited smoke. Tasting our way thr ... More >>

Celebrate O, Miami With the Mot Juste Cocktail at the Betsy (Recipe)

It's that time of the year where celebrate the big O, Miami. No, not that "Big O" -- O, Miami, the Miami-Dade literary event produced by the University of Wynwood, that celebrates poetry with parties, salons, and exhibits.And, since most of history's great poets were also great drinkers, BLT St ... More >>

Vodka and Yuca Croquetas: A Perfect SoBeWFF Pairing

Food and wine pairings have been a big thing for years. Beer and wine pairings have become increasingly common. Scotch pairings: you've at least heard of them. But vodka? You probably didn't know that people were into that outside of Russia or Poland. Well, sorry to break it to you, but it's a thing ... More >>

Maker's Mark Shortage? Lower Alcohol Content

As a Maker's Mark ambassador (an important-sounding name for someone on the company's mailing list), I get some pretty cool perks -- calling cards, an annual holiday trinket, and my name on a barrel that's aging somewhere in Loretto, Kentucky. I also get email blasts updating me on Maker's Mark news ... More >>

Macallan's Teaches Scotch 101

When people get serious about Scotch, they get The Macallan. After all, the brand has been brewing the golden-hued spirit for almost 200 years. Their Scotland distillery creates a whole host of options -- from their 10-year-old Fine Oak to their Macallan in Lalique Six Pillars collection (a bottle o ... More >>

Scare Up Some Spooky Cocktails For Halloween

Halloween is right around the corner and soon the streets and bars will be filled with zombies, sexy witches, and vampires -- all thirsting for a cocktail.You want to know what's even more frightening than having all these creatures of the night walking the streets of Miami?An empty glass....That's ... More >>

Celebrate National Chocolate Milkshake Day With These Boozy Drinks

Today is national chocolate milkshake day -- another completely made up holiday brimming with awesome potential. We were planning to write a list of the best chocolate milkshakes in Miami....then we figured we would up the ante and share the places that offered boozy versions.And yes...each place ha ... More >>

Celebrate Bourbon Heritage Month at These Five Miami Restaurants

There are so many spirits in the world, most of which bring to mind the country of origin. There's Scotch, which invokes the misty highlands of Scotland. Vodka brings to mind cold, crisp nights in Russia and Sweden, and tequila reminds us of sun-filled Mexican beaches and wind-swept deserts. And the ... More >>

Cognac Heir Cyril Camus on Hunting Boar With a Knife, Calls Incredible Hulk "A Bit Redundant"

If Cyril Camus had not been the heir to the fifth-largest cognac house in the world -- and the largest to be family-owned and -operated -- Camus Cognac would have had to pull him from soot-faced Dickensian obscurity and put him in charge anyway.He has the longish hair and perma-stubble of the rakes ... More >>

Five Cocktail Trends To Look Out For

If the Tales of the Cocktail conference in New Orleans last week taught me one thing, it's that your liver can take five days of abuse as long as you feed it lots of red beans and rice. (Oh ... coconut water and cat naps work well, too.)Seriously, there was much to learn at Tales of the Cocktail. Wi ... More >>

Tales of the Cocktail: New Indie Spirits You Should Try

There was a time when spirits were distilled by family-run companies. Small batches of rye, bourbon, or rum were made and distributed. In time, large corporations started buying out these small companies until it seemed like most every item in your local liquor store could be traced back to a few la ... More >>

For Father's Day: Thor, Whisky of the Gods

If you're looking to spend about $200 on a special gift for dad on Father's Day (June 17) -- one that he can wring quite a bit of pleasure from -- this just might be it: Thor, a new 16 year old single malt Scotch whisky from Highland Park's Valhalla Collection."We wanted to create an exciting new ra ... More >>

Miami Club Rum: A Distillery Tour (Photos)

You might miss the entrance to the Miami Club Rum distillery (2320 N Miami Avenue, Miami), housed alongside the locked galleries and thrift shops that line North Miami Avenue in Wynwood. The nondescript building is rather small when compared to most rum distilleries in the Caribbean, which come equi ... More >>

Miami Rum Renaissance Festival: Ten New Rums You Haven't Tried Yet

View photos from Miami Rum Renaissance Festival 2012 at Deauville Beach Resort here.The Miami Rum Renaissance Festival at the Deauville Resort concluded last evening with a 6:45 p.m. "last call", prompting event goers to rush to their favorite rum booth for one last mojito or shot of the elixir favo ... More >>

Rum Renaissance Ends Today: Try These Brands

So many rums, so little time!If you attend today's wrap-up of 2012 Rum Renaissance at the Deauville Beach Resort, (starting at noon for VIP, 1 p.m. for regular admission). Short Order has you covered. Yesterday we squirmed our way through the many vendors and tasted the finest of the bunch. Here is ... More >>

Fifteen Rums, Two Cachacas in One Hour: Judging at the Rum Renaissance Festival

Every year, bartenders, rum enthusiasts, and fans of a little fun-in-the-sun converge on Miami Beach for the annual Miami Rum Renaissance Festival held at the Deauville Resort. Though events have been going on all week, the real action lies in the two-day grand tasting this Saturday and Sunday from ... More >>

Julio Cabrera of Sra. Martinez Wins Campari Aperitivo Cocktail Competition at The Corner (Photos)

Last night, the Corner brought together some of Miami's best bartenders, er, mixologists for the first-ever Campari Best Aperitivo Cocktail Competition. Hosted by the United States Bartenders' Guild, the event had the cocktail creators come up with their own unique take on the classic apéritif. Our ... More >>

The Balvenie Road Trip: Two Guys, One Car, Lots of Scotch

​Generally, brand ambassadors at spirits companies have pretty good jobs -- going to bars and events and talking up whatever brand of booze you're representing (and giving out free samples along the way). But last year, Balvenie brand ambassadors Nicholas Pollacchi and Andrew Weir received a new a ... More >>

George Espie: Whisky's Master of Wood

​George Espie is the Macallan master of wood, which means (A) he is a Scotch fanatic and (B) he probably gets picked on a lot during recess on the corporate playground. What his title really means is he is responsible for managing the Macallan "Wood Policy" and delivering all cask requirements to ... More >>

DJ Laz Talks Sipping Hennessy Straight From the Bottle and Drinking on the Job

DJ Laz doin' work.​If, like Crossfade, you are a serious drinker who loves to let loose, glug a couple of cocktails, and get responsibly wasted, we say: "Raise that Henny, son!" Now believe it or not, there is an international community of cognac connoisseurs called the Hennessy DJ Collective and ... More >>

Tonight: Texas de Brazil Hosts Meaty Wine Dinner & Louis XIII Cognac Finale

​Calling all meat and booze lovers (classy types only): Texas de Brazil, the Brazilian churrascaria on South Beach, is hosting a four-course wine dinner tonight, bookended by champagen reception beforehand and what is called the "Louis XIII Experience." Mr. XIII will not be appearing, but Steele C ... More >>

Depression Cakes and Speakeasy Sazeracs

via sanfransiscosongbird.comC'mon, dollface, the booze is on me tonight!​Life is tough. We could be heading into a new-age Depression. Of course, here at Short Order, the first thing we think of is: What will we eat? And better yet: What will we drink?Let's take a step back in time when the best o ... More >>

Richard Paterson's Scotch Drinking Tips: A Master Blender Speaks

Laine DossMaster Blender Richard Paterson has a million dollar nose.​​Third generation master blender Richard Paterson's nose is so important to his job as master Scotch whiskey blender, that the noggin is insured for $1.6 million.Paterson, who works for Whyte & Mackay (the namesake founders ... More >>

Evening Sips

Johnny Schuler's Passionate About Pisco

​Master Distiller and restaurateur Johnny Schuler is the preacher of pisco.He's dedicated to bringing the fragrant Peruvian spirit to the states. Working hard on a marketing campaign to make his this dream a reality, he's learning how to navigate the different state laws regulating alcohol, about ... More >>

Beautiful Girls and Drinks: The Renaissance Festival in Pictures

All photos by Laine Doss Giselle and Lizette - Captain Morgan in the house!​The Miami Rum Renaissance Festival ended its weeklong celebration of the spirit of the Caribbean yesterday. The festival featured seminars, rum contests, parties, entertainment, but the highlight of the event was t ... More >>

Monty's, Balans and Blue Martini: Fatty Drinks the FDA Doesn't Want You to Know

Lesley ElliottIs your alcohol adding on pounds?​The U.S. Food and Drug Administration seems to believe that when it comes to alcohol consumption, ignorance is bliss. It's easy to suck down those creamy, calorie-ridden drinks without thinking about fat and sugar intake, but are we doing ourselves a ... More >>

Head to El Rancho Grande for a Pop Rocks, Halloween-Inspired Tequila Shot

​El Rancho Grande has managed to combine two things we love dearly; tequila and Pop Rocks. The candy that tingles your mouth and the alcohol that burns your esophagus have come together in perfect harmony with the "Pop Rocks On" shot. It is made of Hornitos Premium Tequila lined with sweet ag ... More >>

Chambord Flavored Vodka Debuts At The Mondrian

Lee KleinOrbs in a row.​On August 1, the makers of Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur unveiled its first-ever line extension via the new Chambord Flavored Vodka. Chambord Liqueur blends black raspberries with black currant, Madagascar vanilla, and cognac. Chambord Flavored Vodka features premium Fre ... More >>

Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur Brings Sicily to South Beach

In a Murano glass bottle.​Here at Short Order, we only pimp the booze we love. And after downing a few Solerno-injected cocktails at Prime Italian last night, I'm ready to peddle some of this Sicilian blood orange liqueur. Solerno is culled from the dark purplish Sanguinello oranges, the flesh of ... More >>

Plato Royale: Battle of White Wine Sangria, Jaguar vs. Por Fin

Photo by Danielle AlvarezWhite wine sangria at Jaguar​Plato Royale usually compares and critiques food. But in this edition, it's all about sangria. The punch-like concoction is traditionally made with Spanish red wine from the Rioja region. But white wine sangria, sangria blanca, is a cool and c ... More >>

Kiss My Cocktail: Fontainebleau's Box of Chocolates

Box of Chocolates​Here's one box you can really get your tongue into. Okay, that was totally foul, but hell--you know the impending holiday just makes us a little perverse. Have a few of these and you'll forget all about our bad behavior.Box of Chocolates1 oz Van Gogh Dutch Chocolate Vodka1/2 oz V ... More >>

Kiss My Cocktail: Lucky Love Potion and Feelin' Lucky From Lucky Strike

​It's not a good idea to drink and drive, Einstein, but heck -- it can be a freakin' blast drinking and bowling! Did you know you are awarded double points for getting a strike in your neighbor's lane? Yeah, we've never heard that one either, but try it out and get back to us.In the meantime, here ... More >>

Champagne Cocktails (a.k.a. NYE Lubrication) at Home

​If ushering in the year were a sport, champagne* would be the beverage of champions and we'd dump a huge cooler full of it onto Father Time's head at the stroke of midnight. It's bubbly, makes a wonderful, pee-on-yourself-scary sound when you open it, and is the hands-down only answer for the big ... More >>

If You Must Serve Eggnog This Season, Make Your Own

Eggnog is one of those staples that should be voted off the holiday table. Really, is that warm, thick, egg-y beverage the best thing to drink with your holiday meal? Especially in this Miami heat? Eggnog originated in England and was brought over to America by the colonists. Originally made with eg ... More >>

Free Leblon Cachaca Last Night at Primary Flight Opening Party at Art Center South Florida

Jacob KatelWhen art makes you thirsty......​Leblon Cachaca sponsored last night's drinks for the "Blue Print For Space" exhibit opening at Art Center South Florida (800 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach). The exhibition features work by street and graffiti artists and is affiliated with the Primary Flight ... More >>

Big Promises From Whiskey Blue

Can We Call You Yak?

Bourbon and Blues -- Drink Up, Eat Right, Jam Out

Here's what you missed last night if you weren't at the Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club at Michael Mina's Bourbon Steak in Aventura: 25 percent off whiskey and bourbon from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. with live blues by local legend Albert Castiglia.No problemo. They're doin' it again next week, a ... More >>

30-Year-Old Whiskey in Its Prime

Psssst....Drink Me!It isn't often that we New Timesers get a bottle of $200 whiskey in the mail. We did, not long ago, thanks to the folks at Canadian Club, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year with the release of a primo 30-year-old, 80-proof, white-oak-barrel-aged blended whiskey r ... More >>

Bushmills Rocks

How to Make a Hurricane

Drink, Drink, and Be Merry

Super Booze Me

A sobering journey into one man's weeklong binge in the world of alcohol distribution

Side Dish

Juicy food gossip

Best Chain Coffeehouse

Xando

Set 'Em Up and Go

One of the best bartenders in the world lives in Miami, but he's hanging up his apron

License to Swill

Officially it's called "substandard orange wine," but to small business owners, Premium Blend is a strong shot in the arm

Down At the Hooch and Brooch

Imagine a string of saloons where the barstools are comfy, the conversation giddy, and the drinks are always free

Chic and Ye Shall Find