A while ago I spent a couple of days in Florida, mainly in Miami Beach though so unfortunately I didn't get the chance to visit so many bars in downtown Miami, Wynwood etc - but next time for sure! I expected it to be rather difficult to find craft cocktails, but I was positively surprised. Anyway, here's what I managed to squeeze in:

The New Republic @ Macchialina

Macchialina
820 Alton Road, Miami Beach

Small, rustic and very cosy Italian restaurant sporting a small cocktail menu with classics like Americano and a couple of nice vermouth/aperitif wine based signature drinks.

South Beach Tiki Bar
1505 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach

Walk through burger joint Cheeseburger Baby and you'll find this shack in the backyard. Nice and relaxed but not too much tiki... and they don't have a liquor license so all cocktails are wine or sake based - some of them seemed pretty inventive.

South Beach Tiki Bar

Queens Park Swizzle @ Bar Centro

Bar Centro / SLS Hotel
1701 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach

Posh and rather adventurous cocktail bar with interesting twists on classics and molecular mixology thrown in for good measure. Don't miss the Salt Air Margarita!

Yardbird Southern Table & Bar
1600 Lenox Avenue, Miami Beach

A fantastic restaurant and bar celebrating southern food and drink, meaning mainly rye and bourbon based cocktails on the menu. Riffs on classics like Sidecar, Lynchburg Lemonade and Michelada - and the truly iconic Bloody Yardbird.

Bloody Yardbird @ Yardbird

Barrel-Aged Cocktail #5 @ The Dutch

The Dutch / W South Beach Hotel
2201 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach

A slick Miami Beach outlet of the popular New York food and drink destination, carrying a short and varied cocktail list with some barrel-aging going on among other things. Don't mind if I do!

Khong River House
1661 Meridian Avenue, Miami Beach

Northern Thailand-inspired restaurant and bar run by 50 Eggs who are also responsible for the above mentioned Yardbird. The intriguing cocktail list is heavy on gin with a number of in-house spicy syrups and other concoctions. They also have a Gin & Tonic flight with a choice of three 1 oz gin pours - nice!

The Killer B @ Khong River House

151 Swizzle @ Mai-Kai

Mai-Kai
3599 N Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale

Well, obviously not in Miami - but definitely one of the highlights so I had to mention it anyway. This legendary Polynesian-themed bar and restaurant has been around since 1956, and you can feel the history in the walls once you enter. The tropical drinks served might not be like they used to, but they're certainly good enough.

Regent Cocktail Club / Gale South Beach
1690 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach

A dark, stylish and sophisticated cocktail bar which had just soft opened when I visited so they were still tweaking the cocktail menu. A haven of classic drinks made to perfection in a relaxed environment, can't wait to return!

Delicious Sour @ Regent Cocktail Club

Fort Union @ Gramps

Gramps
176 NW 24th Street, Miami

Another bar which had only been open a week or two before my visit - a bustling Wynwood neighbourhood joint with an emphasis on DJs, live bands and beer - but of course also some nice refreshing cocktails served with a no frills attitude.

Mercadito
3252 NE First Avenue, Miami

A Mexican bar and restaurant which can also be found in Chicago and NYC. Pretty nice tacos and - surprise - a bunch of tequila and mezcal-based drinks. One Margarita with added smoke, por favor!

Margarita @ Mercadito

The Broken Shaker / Freehand Miami
2727 Indian Creek Drive, Miami Beach

Last but not least, The Broker Shaker is actually one of the best bars I've ever been to anywhere in the world. Perfect from start to finish, except for the fact that I forgot my credit card there and had to go back in the middle of the night because of an early flight back to Sweden the next day. Located in the backyard of hip hostel Freehand Miami, the actual bar room is kind of small and cosy and there's also lots of outdoor seating. A short and regularly updated cocktail menu containing clever and perfectly executed signature drinks and twists on classics using infusions, syrups and whatnot made from fresh herbs and spices harvested in their own garden. Highly recommended!

Holiday Daiquiri @ The Broken Shaker