With most businesses closed in South Florida, there’s not much else to do besides order some good takeout and spend time at home. Now, that good takeout can include alcohol: Governor Ron DeSantis has (temporarily) lifted the ban on to-go alcohol sales. Instead of mixing your own drinks to cope with the quarantine, let restaurants do it for you. These five eateries are giving guests the bar experience at home.
Jaguar Sun
Downtown watering hole Jaguar Sun is no stranger to the local and national press, winning awards and accolades like Bar of the Year multiple times. The reason for the hype: inventive cocktails that perk up your palate. Fans of the bar’s signature drinks like the Mexican rum-based Very Strong Baby and the mezcal-loaded Six Gun can enjoy these libations at home at reasonable prices. Jaguar Sun’s heavy-handed selections are available in 1.5x serving sizes for $16; that’s close to the price of one drink at the actual bar, so it’s a deal.
Not enough booze for you? Consider one of the larger-format options like the Milk Punch, a clarified bourbon-rum concoction that packs a punch in both flavor and alcohol content. Don’t say we didn’t warn you. Word of advice: Pick up some pasta for a balanced meal.
You can place an order for cocktails online or by calling (786) 860-2422. Jaguar Sun is located at 230 NE 4th Street, Miami, Florida 33132.
Phuc Yea
If you’ve ever been to Phuc Yea, it’s a party: stiff drinks, great vibes, and flavorful Vietnamese-cajun cuisine. Until the dining room reopens, you can partially recreate that experience by treating yourself to takeout from the MiMo establishment. Signature menu items like hot-buttered crabby noodles and crispy imperial pair perfectly with the restaurant’s array of alcoholic beverages, which include wine and plenty of favorites from Phuc Yea’s regular drink menu.
There are no single-serving portions here; the cocktails come in bottles designed to serve at least 3-4 people. Options include the Lucky Cheng (a twist on an old fashioned) and the District 5 (think Moscow Mule). Since they’re fully batched, all you need to do is pour over ice and enjoy. Cheers!
You can place an order for cocktails online or by calling 305-602-3710. Phuc Yea is located at 7100 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, Florida 33138.
Finka Table and Tap
West Kendall’s Finka Table and Tap is making sure the other side of Miami isn’t missing out on any fun. In addition to serving up their Cuban-Korean cuisine, Finka offers several of its top-selling drinks for the road — sans alcohol. Highlights include the mixes for the Basilando (cucumber, basil and lemon) and the Saged by the Bell (spicy hibiscus and lime).
It’s a little more work for the customer but the savings add up if you bring your own spirits: a $20 mix can yield 12-14 drinks, which can last you a while. Don’t have any alcohol at home? Finka has you covered with bottles of liquor for sale, too, as well as mixology ice. You have no excuses.
You can place an order for cocktails online or by calling 305-227-8818. Finka Table & Tap is located at 14690 SW 26th Street, Miami, Florida 33175.
Ariete and Nave
Coconut Grove’s Ariete and Nave—two concepts from James Beard semifinalist Michael Beltran—have teamed up for one giant takeout menu until the pandemic subsides. On this menu is Ariete’s elevated Cuban fare and Nave’s exquisite Italian cuisine. Also on the menu are cocktails, of which there are many.
Most of the selections lean on the classic side; there are daiquiris, martinis, margaritas and negronis available in large-format bottles that include either six or 12 servings. In the mood for the restaurants’ signature drinks? You’ll have to opt for their respective happy hour kits, which feature items like fritas and fried mozzarella along with Ariete’s rum based Dimelo Viejo or Nave’s Grey Goose martini.
You can place an order for cocktails online or by calling 305-640-5862. Ariete and Nave are located at 3540 Main Highway, Coconut Grove, Florida 33133.
Grails and Spanglish
Wynwood’s Grails and Spanglish have also joined forces to create one outstanding takeout and delivery experience. Grails’ casual sports bar fare is complemented by Spanglish’s punny libations like the Spanglish Harlem (bourbon, sweet vermouth, sherry) and the Grape Gatsby (gin, muscat grape cordial, lemon, frozen grapes).
If you’re only looking for one cocktail, it’s no problem: a lone drink will set you back only $10. Hosting a virtual Zoom happy hour? A 5-serving bottle for $40 is probably a better deal. Still not enough? $70 will get you a 10-serving bottle of the concoction of your choosing. Be on the lookout for rotating specials. The dual concepts recently put together unique creations for the NFL Draft and Mother’s Day.
You can place an order for cocktails online or by calling (786) 870-4313. Grails is located at 2800 North Miami Avenue, Miami, Florida 33127. Spanglish is located at 2808 North Miami Avenue, Miami, Florida 33127.
