Reasons to Love Tropical Distillers

BY PAUL RUBIO

On the heels of a new law allowing Florida distilleries to sell cocktails in-house, Tropical Distillers—a state-of-the-art facility producing Florida-centric craft liqueurs and spirits—has expanded into a full-fledged, 8,000-square-foot cocktail destination in Miami’s emerging Allapattah neighborhood. Since opening to the public in early 2023, the distillery has enticed locals and travelers alike with immersive tours and tastings, happy hours, and DJ-led weekend fun. Here, we count down five reasons why you, too, will fall in love with Tropical Distillers. (tropicaldistillers.com)

1. THE LIQUEURS

The distillery’s primary products are four expressions of J.F. Haden’s craft liqueurs—citrus, espresso, lychee, and mango—each better tasting than the next. These additive-free, flavor-forward signature liqueurs are rooted in prime Florida produce and strike the palate as exceptionally smooth and balanced. It’s no wonder they feature in top-selling cocktails across South Florida, most notably the epic espresso martini at Joe’s Stone Crab.

2. THE PERSONALITIES

There are some amazing folks who make Tropical Distillers tick, both behind-the-scenes and day-today. The distillery is a joint venture between former NFL star twins Mike and Maurkice Pouncey and luxury real estate expert and animal welfare activist Kim Rodstein, all of whom are actively involved in the business. CEO Buzzy Sklar brings his expertise in Miami hospitality and entrepreneurial spirit to daily operations.

3. TOUR AND TASTING EXPERIENCES

Thursdays to Saturdays, Tropical Distillers hosts ticketed distillery tours followed by tastings of the myriad spirits produced in-house. (In addition to the signature four liqueurs, they also craft limitedproduction rum, vodka, tequila, gin, and whiskey.) During the hour-long experience, explore the many facets of the fully automated craft distillery and in-house cannery and learn about its thoughtful locavore approach. To start, here’s one tour spoiler: J.F. Haden’s Espresso Liqueur begins with a local roaster grinding Cuban coffee beans and then delivering them within the hour to create a 24-hour cold brew, after which Florida cane sugar and grain spirit are added, commencing the alcohol-making process.

4. THE FUN

On Fridays and Saturdays from 5 p.m. to midnight, kick back with Tropical Distillers cocktails around a recently debuted 30-seat bar or get comfy on the couches on the new 1,500-square-foot outdoor deck and lounge. Come hungry for Latin-inspired food from the resident trucks. Around 8 p.m., a DJ starts spinning and the party begins.

Scenes from Tropical Distillers, clockwise from above: triad of J.F. Haden’s craft liqueurs; the distillery’s tropical mural; New Wave–inspired pink bar; on-site gift shop.

5. THE DETAILS

In so many ways, Tropical Distillers is a love letter to Miami, and even Florida. The bar, for example, shines in Miami Vice –inspired neon, and the wraparound bar top boasts a custom print of vintage Miami postcards. Beyond the local ingredients used in its proprietary liqueurs, Tropical Distillers adds Florida hibiscus and citrus peel to create a distinctly Floridian gin and regionally sourced cane sugar to forge a true Floridian rum. Even the bottles tell a Florida story. Case in point: The label of the Pouncey twins’ Twin P Whiskey features a mirror image of two Florida gators and is a nod to their time playing college football at the University of Florida.