INGREDIENTS: Bourbon, Muddled Blackberry, All Spice, Lemon, Agave & Sage

PRICE: $20.00

BARTENDER: Clark

Frodo: "A well-rounded drink, nice body to it. Classy, classic, sweet and very drinkable."

Brando: "I took a sip of this drink and the sage triggered a happy flashback of Burning Man and the Native American Shaman, Six Toes. He burned sage and cleansed my spirit. This drink is having the same effect. I think Clark the bartender is a Shaman of Mixology."

Dieter: "Sweet! It has a fruity smell, but good, yah!"

THE PLACE:  The Living Room Lounge at the W Hotel is command central for Miami mixology. Any bartender worth his salt will come here for creative inspiration. The bar program here has some serious street cred throughout the industry and I mean on a nationwide scale. Living Room Lounge routinely makes all sorts of best of lists. The scene and vibe here is a typical trendy New York hotel bar. The bartenders will feel you out before letting you order, kind of like matchmakers, that is matching a drink to your taste buds and mood. Don't come here if you are in rush or just want to get drunk, come here if you want to awaken your senses and elevate your emotional state.

INGREDIENTS: Elijah Craig Bourbon, Maple Syrup, Bacon Infused Syrup (Yum!) & Angostura Bitters

PRICE: $15.00

BARTENDER: Molly

Frodo: "If I was a fur trapper back in the 1800's, living in a log cabin up in the Appalachian Mountains, this what I would start my day with during the winter. Smokey, tasty and it'll warm your innards up somethin' good. "

Brando: "This is a manly man's drink. Sorry this wouldn't work for Ashton Kutcher, more like Bruce Willis, elegant yet masculine."

Dieter: "Very smokey taste, too strong for me, like drinking a fireplace. Not for everyone."

THE PLACE:  Schwartz, McInnis, Carmellini; not since the days of Al Capone has Miami seen such a trifecta of names duking it out for Alpha Dog status. Chef's Michael Schwartz and Jeff McInnis need to make room, there's a new chef in town and his name is Andrew Carmellini, aka The Dutch. Instead of Tommy Guns, it's tongs and spatulas as the weapon of choice. The battle is who can lay claim to the culinary soul of sin city. I say it's time for a truce, there's room in this town for 3 honchos, at least there is room in my stomach for 3. The Dutch at the W Hotel is the latest, in what's getting to be a crowded field of seasonal, farm-to-table eateries in Miami. It was only a couple years ago in Miami if you said farm-to-table the response would be a "farm-to-what?" This being a bandwagon town they are now multiplying faster than a wet Mogwai. Like the other 2 chefy places mentioned, the food is best described as "New Americana" or something to that effect. The ambiance is kind of a East Hampton meets Ikea. The crowd is very mixed; hipsters, fashionistas and Miami Beach's wealthier elder set. Service is top notch and the bar is perfect to drink, nosh and schmooze. But make sure you check your bank balance before you head over. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served here.

INGREDIENTS: Jim Beam Rye, Fig, Honey & Crispy Serrano Ham

PRICE: $15.00

BARTENDER: Briana

Frodo: "Calling it a Mantini gets it major points. The slice of Serrano Ham will definitely appeal to the Y chromosome set, but the sweet, fruitiness will appeal to the X chromosome set. That being said, conceptually, on paper the drink is ingenious, when you see it though is another story. It looks like a skin graft gone wrong."

Brando: "You can tell there is a creative mixologist on staff. The drinks are very creative and a refreshing new attempt to please the local Miami palette without relying on the ubiquitous and overused cucumber slice."

Dieter: "Ham makes it special, otherwise it would only taste average."

THE PLACE: I think Alex from a Clockwork Orange would dig this South Beach bar/lounge. The intense electric glow of this place is a cross between a Tokyo night and a Stanley Kubrick dystopian vision of the future. This is a perfect place if you are already in an altered state of mind. Creative mixology, interesting bar food and stunning bartenders make this a good place to park it for the night, no need to bar hop. So if you got your Bowler hat, eye liner, a wallet full of "pretty polly" and your "droogies", minus the "ultra violence", moog synthesizer and "milk plus" then you should have a real "bolshy" of a time. (Nadsat glossary if you're not sure what the hell we are talking about.)

INGREDIENTS: Jameson, Muddled Mint, Lemon, Watermelon, Simple Syrup

PRICE: $12.00

BARTENDER: Rocco

Richie Tennebaum: "So smooth, don't even taste the Bourbon. Great watermelon taste, reminds of a spring-time picnic with Gwyneth."

Brando: "I can hardly taste the Bourbon, which doesn't make it bad. Rocco was adamant that there is plenty of Bourbon inside and the reason you can hardly taste it is that ingredients have been perfectly blended. I like Rocco, he's got a fighters spirit."

Frodo: "Watermelon and Bourbon, it doesn't get more Southern than this. Good combo for summer time. Definitely on the subtle side. Missing the "wow"  factor though."

Dieter: "Blah! not special like me. Watery!"

THE PLACE: This Lat-asian fusion restaurant has been a respected and reliable Lincoln Road stalwart. It's been busy since the day it opened. Sitting in the belly of Lincoln Road, it's a pricey, but a good place to start a decadent evening in South Beach. Like the Sushi Chefs here, the bartenders are serious about what they do. The  interior is bathed in a warm light, you kind of feel like you are sitting in a sea shell, something akin to Parisian version of Sponge Bob Square Pants.

INGREDIENTS: Makers Mark, Sweet Vermouth, Dash of Angostora Bitters 

PRICE: $11.50

BARTENDER: Carmelo

Frodo: "I like Carmelo, he's a classical blue-collar bartender who treats his profession as a trade and not as a stepping stone to other things. This Manhattan is a little on the tart and sour side, doesn't electrify me like the actual city of Manhattan does! But it's still a solid interpretation of a reliable classic and decently priced for Miami."

Coach: "I'm drafting Carmelo, I want him on my team playing Left Guard, damn good execution scrub!"

Gypsy King: "My fingers hurt, no more guitar, my voice no good singing no more...Manhattan okay."

The Woz: "Applying classical Scientific Methodology I rate this a perfect, linear, across the board 3.0 out of 5.0 score on the Suxessbar Drinkablity Scalability Numerical Metric Rating System also known as SDSNMRS. I like anything symmetrical so I will be back to marvel at this Manhattan's remarkably balanced chemistry."

THE PLACE: This is where the Old Miami Patrician Class (there actually is one believe it or not) comes to unwind after a hard day toiling away in their wood paneled offices in the South's banking capital (...thank you Medellin Cartel). It's a surprisingly lively scene of the Brickell power elite. Bartenders are  barrel chested salt of the earth types who if they weren't bar tending would be firemen or police officers. Service is top notch. Also see if you can spot the Masonic symbols hanging on the wall.

INGREDIENTS: Bulleit Bourbon, Rosemary Infused Cherries, Splash of Lemon

PRICE: $13.00

BARTENDER: Doug

Richie Tennebaum: "This drink was sooo strong that I stopped thinking about Gwyneth for 10 minutes."

Brando: "This Bulleit Proof Manhattan is a fine cocktail to imbibe before I start applying The Method to my character."

Iceman: "Iceman cometh, Iceman drinketh, it okayeth."

Dieter: "Too strong for even my Germanic blood, I only taste alcohol!"

THE PLACE: This is Miami's premiere "foodie" venue. Chef Michael Schwartz has some serious street cred in the American chef community. A farm-to-table cliche, but here there is reason behind the cliche and you will taste why. Always busy, decently priced for such high quality. The bar is a great place to dine alone or with whomever, perfect for tasty cocktails and tasty apps (not the iPhone ones). Bartenders here are slammed so be patient, standards are as high as the volume of patrons and noise. Ambiance is nice with relaxing lighting and a great outdoor area in the middle of a Design District plaza.

INGREDIENTS: Bulleit Bourbon, Fresh Blackberry, St. Germain, Creme de Violette, Basil, Aromatic Bitters

PRICE: $___

BARTENDER: Miguel

Richie Tennebaum: "Syrupy and sweet, like Gwyneth, but I'm not tasting the berries, that gets me down man."

Brando: "Fruity take on Bourbon, great approach, fruit and liquor taste balance well and compliment each other."

Iceman: "This one is leaving me cold, it ain't getting' my adrenaline goin'."

Dieter: "Very fruity sweet, like spring time in Bavaria!"

THE PLACE: Once upon a time Midtown Miami was a rail depot full of rusty shipping containers and Wynwood was an industrial ghost town where the only living (barely) denizens were society's castaways squandering their last breaths toking on a crack pipe. Yet across the bay lied a shimmering urban oasis where "Cool" found a home, South Beach, and that home was built by the likes of Alan Roth and Tommy Pooch. Now "Cool", the freeloader that he is, found South Beach not so accommodating anymore, so "Cool" crossed the bay and found a new home amongst the new creative denizens of Wynwood and Midtown. And so followed "Cool's" old friends Roth & Pooch, making sure "Cool" has the right accommodations on the others side of the bay with their ultra cool and comfortable Ricochet lounge. Creative cocktailing, funky bar bites, artists and DJ's converge in the bay sides grittier version of cool.

INGREDIENTS: Strawberries, Lemon Juice, Orange Juice, Jack Daniels & Flamed Rosemary

PRICE: $14.00

BARTENDER: Gloria

Richie Tennebaum: "Wow, off the chart! Can I have another?....Gwyneth...Gwyneth who?"

Brando: "Gloria makes we want to sing like Eric Burdon......G....L.....O...Rrrrr..Iiii...A....G.L.O.R.I.A.....This Dutch Goddess has mastered her trade."

Frodo: "Gloria, our tall blonde Dutch bartender looks like a Bond girl and she can certainly make cocktails worthy of Mr. 007. This drink has subtle taste, tangy and tart. No ice block so drink tastes a little watery after awhile. Refreshing, good for a hot Kentucky day at Churchill Downs."

Dieter: "Good! Very Good! Not too sweet. Yah!."

THE PLACE: Meat Market, occupying the legendary Pacific Time haunts, maintains the legacy of the latter with top notch food, service and cocktailing. Located on one of world's great pedestrian promenades, Lincoln Road, Meat Market sets itself apart from other Lincoln Road establishments by actually offering good food, worthy of the Lincoln Road pricing. Ambiance is cool elegance, chillaxed lighting and some of the most glamourous looking staff around. What also makes Meat Market worthy of a visit is it's perfect for dinner dates, the guy can sink his man chops into delicious bloody meat and the pseudo vegetarian girlfriend can sink her lady chops into some tasty non-red meat options.

INGREDIENTS: Bulleit Bourbon, St. Germain, Aromatic Bitters

PRICE: $12.00

BARTENDER: Chris

Frodo: "Elegant and simple, the drink goes well with the ambiance at this promising addition to the downtown scene. Bourbon is balanced well here. But you need to drink it fast before the ice cubes water down the drink."

Coach: Claps hands, a slap on the butt and he barks "...way to go kiddo'! I bet Knute Rockne drank these during halftime. Elder Statesman makes the cut!"

Gypsy King: "Where my guitar! Elder Statesmen make me want to belt out some Gypsy folk tune and Flamenco dance on bar top, I give no evil eye to bartender, he okay!"

The Woz: "I wish I consumed this before I went on Dancing with the Stars, deliciously engineered!"

THE PLACE: This is one of Downtown Miami's only classically cool neighborhood joints, built to last a few generations. Most places in downtown Miami celebrate what lies over the ocean, this place celebrates what lies over the American landscape. Make sure your compass is pointing North and West, not South and Eastward to enjoy it.

INGREDIENTS: Knob Creek Bourbon, Lemon Sour, BBQ Bitters, Egg White, Bell's Amber Ale 

PRICE: $13.00

BARTENDER: He was a tall gentleman with glasses, kind of looked like "Where's Waldo?" (...he's here)

Frodo: "Wow this definitely reads well on the menu. Conceptually creative. However the taste doesn't quite match the ingenuity and effort, don't get me wrong it tastes good, but not great, sorry Tony the Tiger, no catchphrase for you on this cocktail."

Coach: "Coach Jerry Glanville will enjoy this one as much as I do!"

Gypsy King: "Whoa, I think it time to get Romani brothers back together and make music, this drink make me happy!"

The Woz: "Maybe as revolutionary as the Apple I....nahhh Apple II really kick started it all."

THE PLACE: This is definitely the suit and tie crowd here, bankers and lawyers to be precise, plus Four Seasons guests. Not a place to let loose, but a place to finalize deals. Music is barely there, lighting is low, but high enough to read the contract you're about to sign. Deal making will be lubricated with solid drinks and good food. Staff is unobtrusive, professional and courteous. Also a good place to discreetly carry on an elegant affair, you most likely won't run into anyone from the neighborhood as this place is on the 7th floor and most likely doesn't cater to your social scene.

INGREDIENTS: Death's Door White Whiskey, Sweet Vermouth, Apricot Brandy, Southern Comfort and Lemon Bitters

PRICE: $12.00

BARTENDER: Alex

Richie Tennebaum: "Great drink for Bourbon and whiskey lovers."

Brando: "Simplicity...clean, crisp and refreshing....sounds like I'm doin' a soap commercial here and Brando don't do soap commercials!"

Iceman: "If you are a whiskey drinker then the Iceman sayeth you'll dig this one."

Dieter: "Not too overpowering, unlike me. Smooooooth taste. Yum! Yah!"

THE PLACE: The first establishment that told the rest of Miami that it was ok to venture into Wynwood, legitimizing a former no-mans land. Wynwood Kitchen & Bar created a beachhead for real estate money to follow, making this one of the hottest neighborhood revivals since South Beach circa 1989. Where Mark Soyka's News Cafe gave urban pioneers a safe haven to gather, his friend, Tony Goldman has accomplished the same thing with Wynwood Kitchen & Bar. Visually this one of the most stunning and uber-cool restaurants around, with wall-to-wall, indoor and outdoor painted murals by some of the art worlds most celebrated muralists. The bar scene is lively, with a top-notch selection of craft beer and wine. Same goes for an artsy cocktail menu with signature cocktails named after the Wynwood Kitchen & Bar's muralists. Sadly the kitchens efforts don't match the visual efforts of this place, same goes for the service.  However there is hope with a reputable new management team taking over.

INGREDIENTS: Fresh-Pressed Lemon Juice, Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Organic Blackberry, Cardamom, Topped With Sparkling Wine

PRICE: $8.00

BARTENDER: Capri

Richie Tennebaum: "Plain but decent, I'm looking for something more to fill the void in my heart...has anyone seen Gwyneth?"

Frodo: "I love the concept of this place, that I can confidently read the menu items out loud and that bourbon is placed on a pedestal here. This was a good drink but there is better on the cocktail menu, such as "The Porkchop"...how can you not order a drink with that name."

Dieter: "Good mix of ingredients but too sweet...girly...and I DON'T TASTE BOURBON!"

THE PLACE: South Beach and it's environs has morphed into a mecca of the Euro/Latin International Jet Set with most of the venues catering to their tastes, leaving little room for any cultural offerings from Uncle Sam. Then along comes Yardbird, loudly and proudly reclaiming a little corner of South Beach for good ole USA with a decidedly Deep South twist. And that  little slice could soon become a beachhead for returning Americans, brashly and hiply wearing their stars and stripes, or maybe in this case bars and stars. Yardbird elevates Dixieland cooking to vaunted new heights. The best way to describe it as is if you took away Picasso's paint brush and palette from him and instead handed him all the elements of Southern cooking and told him to create, you may get Yardbird, and I mean that in a good way. The place has the amber glow of a warm Kentucky cabin on a winter night. Lots of wood, good cookin', good lookin', good boozin' and good yappin' all around you. We especially like the mugshots of Southern Rock-a-billy Royalty hangin' in the bathrooms. When you're done here you'll feel like a real rebel rouser ready to take back the South (Beach).

INGREDIENTS: Simple Syrup, Egg, Wood Reserve Bourbon, Liquor 43, Chilled Espresso, Sambuca Rinse

PRICE: $14.00

BARTENDER: Fraser

Richie Tennebaum: "Amazing combination of flavors, for coffee lovers (and Gwyneth lovers) only."

Brando: "New twist on espresso, great hybrid, whiskey slips in toward the end."

Iceman: "If you like Starbucks you'll like this."

Dieter: "Tastes like bottled Frappucino with hint of whiskey, yah!"

THE PLACE: Mercadito is another eatery that gives culinary credence to Midtown Miami, saving Midtown from a generic Mall of the Americas fate. Relaxed yet elegant ambiance, pleasant service and creatively tasty interpretations on Mexican cuisine give our frenemies South of the Border the overdue culinary respect that they so deserve. Mercadito makes the case with an assault on your taste buds that Mexico should have a permanent place in the pantheon of great national cuisines. The same goes for the bar here where talented bartenders and the amazing Tippling Brothers elevate Tequila centered cocktails the way that vodka or rum has been elevated for years by mixologists. But you can expand your drink palette here with other liquors besides Tequila and your palette will be very grateful you did so.

INGREDIENTS: Fresh Black Berries, Five Spice Honey (Homemade), Rosemary Honey, Lime Juice, Jim Beam & Rosemary Garnish

PRICE: $12.00

BARTENDER: Chris

Richie Tennebaum: "Special like Gwyneth, yet a little sour...like my soul."

Iceman: "A well rounded drink, tasteful...like me."

Dieter: "A little too sweet and girly, but I keep drinking it, yah! I feel happy!"

THE PLACE: You can smell your way to this establishment. The place smells like 20 grandma's are home cookin' in the kitchen. Sugarcane christened Midtown Miami for the hipster set, balancing out Target and Ross. The O shaped bar that circle's inside and then outside balances a lively, relaxing and intimate bar scene all at once. This place is a good, but expensive place to snack and drink...actually drink prices are reasonable for Miami, especially considering the quality and craftsmanship of the cocktailing going on here. Sugarcane should definitely be on your Miami restaurant bucket list.