2 Cocktails from Florida that Pack Heat

Spice doesn’t have to come on a plate. Cocktails from two of Florida’s hottest restaurants prove you can pack just as much heat into a glass.

The Paloma, a traditional Mexican cocktail that contains grapefruit soda and tequila, helps combat the heat and humidity of South American summers. At The Living Room in Fort Lauderdale, the bartenders are no strangers to heat and humidity. Here, mixologist Lexe Kiss infuses the Paloma with Thai Chile Aperol, adding a spicy kick to the sweet fruit and fizz.

Dolce Italian in Miami first became known for winning Tom Colicchio’s Best New Restaurant on Bravo, but their truly authentic Italian fare is what keeps them on top. Fresh pasta, wood-fired Neopolitan pizza and even a mozzarella bar have tourists and locals humming That’s Amore as they return in droves. Beyond the food, the bar is stocked full of summer cocktails based on Italian favorites like grappa, Campari and Aperol. The El Diablo may not quite fit the Italian theme, but with a combination of Reposado tequila and agave contrasted with spicy jalapeño peppers, it’s a perfectly refreshing way to end a hot, Miami day.