Miami has gone coquito crazy – and other festive holiday cocktails to try

The Grinch has stolen Christmas, and dropped it smack center in Miami Lakes. Santa Diabla, the speakeasy tucked inside Chela’s, has been rocking a Grinch-themed hideaway since November with plenty of holiday-themed cocktails like an O Holy Dark Night, a riff on an espresso martini with clarified spiced latte and the Tiki Clause, a rum drink with garam masala served in, what else, but tiki-themed Christmas glassware. Through January 6, you can enjoy their version of coquito: the Grinch’s Coconut Cup features dark and white rum mixed with a mint and coconut mixture and topped with green sprinkles and a candy cane. 

Fox’s Lounge now doubles as a divey winter wonderland (through December 31st, anyway) with seasonal cocktails, non-stop Christmas music, a prime rib special with holiday-themed sides and festive events like a holiday-themed trivia night on December 19 and holiday-themed yacht rock on December 21. Their coquito riff features clove-infused condensed milk, but they’ve also got other fun drinks on deck, like a mulled wine martini, a cool toddy and a dangerous Sherron Inn punch. And what’s winter in Miami without a coconut-tinged dessert? For their Christmas Eve feast, they’ll be serving up a white chocolate coquito mousse to cap off their $65 three-course feast. 

The National Hotel has transformed its Bar1939 into a festive holiday nook with a tropical view. Through January 3rd, get into the holiday spirit in Sobe with wintery decor, tapas, live music and an assortment of seasonal cocktails. Perhaps the best day to check out the holiday pop-up, however, is December 21 for National Coquito Day, where they’ll be serving up their signature drink, the Coquito National, all night long. There will also be an ugly sweater party on December 15, with a free welcome cocktail for sweater-wearers and live music. 

Through December 31st, head to the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove'ss moody cocktail bar, The Commodore, for a special Coquito and Cookies menu curated by local food influencer Gio Gutierrez of ChatChow TV. There are tons to choose from, as each is inspired by different coquito-esque drinks from around Latin America. Plus, it's expertly paired with a cookie. There’s the Patrón-based Mexican rompope with a Mexican wedding cookie, a Cuban Crema de Vie with torticas de moron, a bourbon-based American eggnog with a classic gingerbread cookie and of course, the Puerto Rican classic paired with sprinkle-dusted mantecaditos. Can’t decide? Try them all with a coquito and cookie flight for $39. 

Let’s be honest – one of the best places to enjoy coquito cocktails is from the comfort of your own home – or probably someone else’s. Rum brand Candela Mamajuana is back this year with their coquito gift set that packs in a ton of Noche Buena fun in a box. Included are two bottles of Candela’s Special Coquito Mix, one bottle of Candela Mamajuana spiced rum and four limited edition holiday shot glasses. It's the best way to not show up empty handed this year, but order quickly – last year, the set completely sold out! 

Where better to enjoy coquito-inspired cocktails than at a lively Cuban restaurant? Kuba Cabana at CityPlace Doral has a lineup of holiday-inspired libations, including their White Christmas, a classic coquito served in a sophisticated coupe glass, and some bright fruity cocktails like The Grinch (vodka, pineapple juice, blue curaçao, sour mix) and the Jingle Juice (coconut rum, sour mix, pomegranate liquor and strawberry puree). 

You might need to wait until Christmas Eve for this one, but Ocean Social at the Eden Roc is going to be serving up not a cocktail, but a coquito “Basque” style cheesecake as the final  layer to its four-course holiday feast. The dinner itself sounds delicious, fusing Asian flavors into creative dishes, whether it’s the Mishima wagyu eye of rib or a Szechwan honey glazed dry aged duck. 

If you’re headed to Dolphin Mall to stock up on Christmas gifts, then you have to pop into the Tinsel Tavern at Vivo! They’re shaking up eight holiday-themed drinks, including a few with coquito-esque ingredients. There’s the Gingerbread Nookie, a blend of Coffee-infused blanco tequila, gingerbread simple syrup, eggnog, whip cream, and grated nutmeg and the Ho-Ho-Mojito, with Bacardi, lime, coconut milk, mint and soda water. But best of all for the camera is the torso-sized burlesque leg from The Christmas Story. The Vivo! Christmas Village is open Thursday through Sunday, however the Tinsel Tavern is only open on Thursday through Saturday. 

RUMBAR at the Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne has gone on holiday break (kidding) to make way for The Reindeer Room. This mini holiday takeover promises a whole menu of punny holiday bites, like a festive 'Charcutewreath,' as well as delightful cocktails like a passionfruit and vodka-based “Let Me Take an #Elfie.” But perhaps none warm our spirits up like the Cafecito Coquito, a riff on an espresso martini made with Havana Club Rum, coconut and condensed milks and a shot of espresso. Even better? It comes with a churro garnish. The menu will be available through January 1st, so in the spirit of puns, sleigh your way down to the key before then. 

Social 27, the sister restaurant to Doce Provisions, brings Cuban fusion to 8th Street in a lively, modern setting that’s fit for date night. It’s also serving up a festive Coquito Martini this season, and this one in particular is a classic, using the OG ingredient, Bacardí Superior, coconut cream and a hint of freshly grated cinnamon.