{"id":12333,"date":"2016-06-08T06:41:24","date_gmt":"2016-06-08T13:41:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/somimag.com\/?p=12333"},"modified":"2016-06-08T07:24:36","modified_gmt":"2016-06-08T14:24:36","slug":"somi-summertime-cocktails","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/somimag.com\/somi-summertime-cocktails\/","title":{"rendered":"SOMI SUMMERTIME COCKTAILS"},"content":{"rendered":"<\/a>

In preparing this summertime feature and walking our tree-lined streets around town, <\/b>SOMI Magazine <\/i><\/b>visited with six diverse establishments: Town Kitchen & Bar which is celebrating its eleventh year in SOMI; <\/b>Il Vaporetto<\/i><\/b> Italian Restaurant, at the entrance to our shopping and dining district at Sunset Drive and US1; Shula\u2019s 347 Grill on Red Road which has been serving up great steaks and drinks for five years; Sports Grill on Sunset Drive, east of Red Road, known for its kick-back neighborhood bar and great wings; ROK:BRGR which has taken the area by storm for its great burgers and rocking Sunday brunch, and lastly\u00a0a new restaurant TacoCraft, another JEY Hospitality Group concept, and destined to be another\u00a0great SOMI spot.<\/b><\/p>\n

You\u2019ll find that summer that adds a fancier spin to cocktail hour.\u00a0 Get inspired with our featured SOMI summer cocktails.\u00a0 Try your hand at preparing these and serving these tasty cocktails at parties and cookouts all summer long.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

More than the creating of a particular specialty drink, it\u2019s obvious that the experience, professionalism and commitment to excellence behind the bar is paramount and much appreciated.\u00a0 Some refer to themselves as bartenders, others mixologists and one is a certified sommelier. \u00a0 You\u2019ll get to meet them all.<\/b><\/p>\n

Restaurants will be offering these special\u00a0\u201cSOMI Summertime Cocktails\u201d at their bar.\u00a0And with the recipes, you can also grab a\u00a0shaker and some ice and have at it!\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Cheers!<\/b><\/em><\/p>\n

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TOWN KITCHEN & BAR SOMI SUMMER RAYNE 1 1\/2 ounce ciroc pineapple 1\/2 ounce cointreau Splash of fresh sour mix Splash of simple syrup 4 diced pineapple chunks Shaken & topped with floater or prosecco<\/p><\/div>\n

Our first stop is TOWN KITCHEN & BAR<\/b>, a \u201cneighborhood joint\u201d that\u2019s been going strong since it opened in our town center eleven years ago. \u00a0 TOWN has unique appeal with its industrial design, large outdoor lounge area and two private dining rooms.\u00a0 The menu features CIA graduate chef Michael Altman\u2019s \u201cglobal comfort foods\u201d in various portion sizes meant for sharing, and is known for its busy Sunday Brunch.\u00a0 The full liquor bar features signature martinis, a large craft beer selection, and over 40 wines by the glass. TOWN KITCHEN & BAR has received the Wine Spectator \u201cAward of Excellence\u201d rated wine list for the past nine years.<\/p>\n

And its behind the bar that we met Rayne Butler who \u201cloves what she does.\u201d\u00a0 Rayne has been in the hospitality bueinss for ten years and it\u2019s her \u201cpassion to cheer people up, make friends and pour an incredible cocktail.\u201d\u00a0 Most of her own cocktail creations are derived from her name, and hence we have: \u201cSOMI Summer Rayne\u201d pictured in the article headline.<\/p>\n

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IL VAPORETTO RICHLAND RUM SOMI COCKTAIL Richland Rum infused with orange bell peppers, egg white, lime juice, and simple syrup.<\/p><\/div>\n

From there we went on to the other end of town to visit Il Vaporetto <\/i><\/b>Italian Restaurant<\/b> <\/i><\/b>located at the corner entrance to our shopping and dining district on Sunset Drive and Dorn (SW 59) Avenue.\u00a0 Il Vaporetto (Italian for Venetian water taxi) opened its door at the end of September and its popularity is growing for its exceptional Italian menu of classical favorites, attentive service in a fine-dining setting.\u00a0 The wine and cocktail program is run by Christian Aporta, a Certified Sommelier by the Court of Masters Sommeliers and a mixology background for more than 15 years.\u00a0 His path to Il Vaporetto has included Michelin Star Tribeca restaurant in NYC,\u00a0 Pisco Mixology bars, and working with Italian, French and many other cuisines.<\/p>\n

Christian is at home behind the bar fashioned to look like a water taxi.\u00a0 It\u2019s here that he has prepared fifty infusions and twenty flavored syrups.\u00a0 With his sommelier studies, he understands the complexity of creating a special cocktails and blending spirits like vodka, grappa, gin, and Aquardente.\u00a0 Come visit the water taxi on Sunset and have Christian prepare you a cocktail\u00a0to order.<\/p>\n

For our SOMI Summertime Cocktail, Christian has prepared a Richland Rum infused with orange bell peppers, egg white, lime juice, and simple syrup. This is an American Rum from Georgia, and especially chosen for its light flavor, perfect\u00a0for summer.<\/p>\n

The search for our summertime libation brought us to the other side of Red Road and a visit to Shula\u2019s 347 Grill <\/b>and Sports Grill<\/b>.<\/p>\nSHULA\u2019S SOMI ROSE-BERRY TINI Rosemary Sprig 4 Raspberries 1\/2 oz fresh lime juice 1\/2 oz simple syrup 1 oz Flor de Cana 4 year Rum 1 oz Domaine de Canton Liquor Splash of Ginger Ale Muddle rosemary leave of 1\/3 of the sprig with 3 raspberries, add ice and build the rest of the drink. Shake well and strain into a Martini glass. Garnish with remainder of rosemary sprig and a raspberry. and sugar.\n

Shula\u2019s 347 Grill is named in honor of Hall of Fame Coach Don Shula, the winningest Coach in NFL history, with 347 victories! Shula\u2019s 347 Grill follows a long line of successful restaurants, all founded on the same famous tradition of Shula\u2019s Steak Houses. Shula\u2019s 347 Grill has everything from gourmet salads to fresh specialty fish, and exclusively serves Premium Black Angus Beef\u00ae burgers and the best beef money can buy, The SHULA CUT\u00ae steaks.\u00a0 SOMI\u2019s Shula\u2019s 357 Grill is owned by the Grove Bay Hospitality Group, which is making its presence known here in Greater Miami.<\/p>\n

Sarina greeted us from behind the huge center bar where she is \u201cproud to be an original team member of the Shula\u2019s 347 Gables family.\u201d\u00a0 A native to South Florida by proxy, Sarina is an avid wine lover and enjoys over 20 years\u2019 experience in the restaurant business.\u00a0 She is most passionate about the hospitality industry and genuinely loves her work.<\/p>\nSPORTS GRILL\u2019S SOMI AFTERNOON DELIGHT 2oz Strawberry Infused Espolon Tequila 1\/2oz Grand Marnier 1\/2oz Agave Nectar Fresh Squeezed Orange and Lime Juices Dash of Blood Orange Bitters Served Chilled in an Organic Brown Sugar rimmed Martini Glass with an Orange wheel and Strawberry garnish.\n

At SPORTS GRILL<\/b> we met up with Alex Fitzgerald and Jose Uipan who have been in the hospitality business for the majority of their adult lives, each of them learning the ins and outs of the bar business from the likes of TGIFridays, fine dining establishments and other local spots.\u00a0 With their experience they are very well ranged in maximizing the guest experience at Sports Grill.<\/p>\n

For almost thirty years, Sports Grill is a known staple in Miami.\u00a0 The South Miami community welcomed them nearly five years ago.\u00a0 Sports Grill focuses on the guest experience and serves what are known to be the best wings in Miami!\u00a0 Rotating craft beer taps and an expansive variety of spirits further their goal to ensure everyone leaves happier than they came.<\/p>\n

Fitz and Jose paired up to create the ultimate \u201cSOMI Afternoon Delight\u201d which is served up by Monique, who has worked in SOMI for many years, formerly at Dan Marino\u2019s. And as Fitz and Jose say: \u201cWon\u2019t you join us for a drink!\u201d<\/p>\n

Our last two stops in town were to ROK:BRGR<\/b> and TacoCraft<\/b>, both created by JEY Hospitality Group out of Fort Lauderdale.<\/p>\nROK:BRGR\u2019S SOMI SMOKEY BANDITO 2 oz Mescal Reposado 1\/2 oz Agave 1 oz Lime juice 2 1\/2 oz Smoked Paparika\/Passion Fruit Puree Rimmed with cinnamon, chipotle powder, salt, pepper and sugar.\n

ROK:BRGR serves 18 signatures burgers made with a blend of locally sourced certified Angus beef. The menu also features a variety of American comfort food dishes and delicacies made with the best quality ingredients. The restaurant\u2019s full service bar offers a variety of craft beers, hand-crafted cocktails and premium wines.<\/p>\nTACOCRAFT\u2019S SOMI JALAPENO CUCUMBER MARGHERITA 1 1\/2 oz Tequila (Blanco) 1 oz Agave 1 1\/2 oz Lime Juice Puree of strained cucumber and jalape\u00f1o.\n

And the newest entry in SOMI is TacoCraft, a boutique taqueria and tequila bar serving modern interpretations of Mexican street food classics prepared with the best local sustainable ingredients. The menu features tacos made with hand-crafted tortillas, classic Mexican appetizers and entrees and serves more than 150 types of tequila and mescal as well as a selection of craft beers<\/p>\n

Nicholas Carmona, ROK:BRGR\u2019s GM created both the summertime cocktails featured in this article.\u00a0 He is very passionate about his cocktail creations and taking on new responsibilities in building a new brand here in SOMI, as he will also be overseeing the operations at the next-door neighbor TacoCraft.\u00a0 He was been in the restaurant hospitality business for the past twelve years and started bartending while studying in Madrid.\u00a0 He served as Beverage Director\u00a0at Grove Gardens and also worked at Cindy Hutson\u2019s Ortanique in Coral Gables.<\/p>\n

So over the summer months visit our SOMI restaurants, meet up with the folks behind the bar and enjoy these summertime cocktails.
\nChin, chin<\/i>.
\n\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026<\/span>Compiled and edited by John Edward Smith<\/p>\n

SOMI SUMMERTIME COCKTAILS BARTENDERS<\/h2>\n\n\t\t