Wynwood Brewery Creates "World's First Distilled Beer Cocktail"

What happens when you distill beer three times and mix it with a top-shelf spirit? Cerveceria La Tropical aims to answer that question with Mixología, which it calls the "world's first distilled beer cocktail."

The Wynwood brewery has just launched distilled beer cocktails for the very first time under its brand La Tropical — and it may be one of the first breweries ever to make such a concoction. The brewery makes the special spirit by passing the beer through a pot until it's clear, creating a spirit with floral and malty notes. They then blend this with vodka or rum for two cocktails: a passion fruit vodka martini called "Pasióntini" and a rum mojito called "Havanito," both at 5.9 percent alcohol.

From Cuban Giant to Miami Revival

La Tropical started in 1888 as Cuba's first brewery in Havana, producing more than 60 percent of the country's beer before the revolution. After Castro nationalized businesses, the brand went dark until Miami local Manny Portuondo began digging into his family history. As the great-great-grandson of Federico Kohly, who founded the original brewery, Portuondo spent nearly 25 years researching and working to bring back his family's legacy. Now majority-owned by Heineken, La Tropical opened its Wynwood space in 2021.

Beyond the brewery and taproom, the spot features a restaurant serving Caribbean dishes with Miami twists, plus a stage for nightly live music. The beer lineup still features La Original, a Vienna-style amber lager based on the 1888 recipe, newer Miami additions like Nativo Key, a tropical IPA, and the 88-calorie Tropi Flaca Light Lager.

Starting this week, you can grab these new cocktails at the taproom or select South Florida spots. Gold Coast Beverage handles distribution from West Palm Beach to Key West. Four-packs of 12-ounce cans run $10.99-$11.49.

Cervecería La Tropical. 42 NE 25th St., Miami; 305- 741-6991; cervecerialatropical.com.