Visual drama defines the Miami Vice, which sets a frozen Piña Colada and a frozen Strawberry Daiquiri side by side in a single glass. Bacardi 151 proof rum is blended separately into each frozen mix, and the two are poured carefully to keep them from merging, producing a half-white, half-red split. The combination yields a high-strength drink near 42 percent ABV with a substantial calorie load, its appeal resting as much on the dramatic appearance as on the tropical flavors of the two frozen halves. A party favorite, it evokes the bright, beach-bar glamour associated with South Florida.
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Miami Vice
Ingredients
- 151 proof rum 5 oz Bacardi
- Pina colada mix frozen
- Daiquiri mix frozen
Instructions
First: Mix pina colada with 2.5 oz. of rum with ice(set aside). Second: Mix daiquiri with 2.5 oz. of rum with ice. Third: While frozen, add pina colda mix then daiquiri mix in glass (Making sure they do not get mixed together).
The Miami Vice is a striking two-layered cocktail that combines a frozen Piña Colada and a frozen Strawberry Daiquiri side by side in the same glass. Made with Bacardi 151 proof rum blended separately with each frozen mix, the drink presents a dramatic half-white, half-red visual effect. It is a party favourite that evokes the tropical glamour of South Florida.
History & Origins
The Miami Vice cocktail is named after the iconic 1980s television series set in Miami, and the drink's origin is disputed among various Florida beach bars and resort chains that popularized it during that era. It became synonymous with poolside leisure culture in the United States throughout the 1980s and 1990s. No single creator has been definitively credited with inventing the recipe.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: Coconut, pineapple, and tropical rum on the nose. Palate: A bold interplay of creamy pineapple-coconut sweetness meeting tart strawberry-lime; the high-proof Bacardi 151 delivers significant heat throughout. Finish: Long and warming with residual fruit sweetness and a pronounced rum burn.
Pro Tip
Pour the Piña Colada blend first and gently layer the Daiquiri blend on top to preserve the iconic two-tone presentation before serving.
Techniques Used
Frequently Asked Questions
What cocktails make up the Miami Vice drink?
The Miami Vice is a layered cocktail that combines two classic frozen drinks: a Strawberry Daiquiri and a Piña Colada. Rum, lime juice, and strawberry puree or syrup form the daiquiri layer, while rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice create the piña colada layer. The two blended mixtures are carefully poured side by side into a large glass to achieve the signature pink-and-white split.
How do you layer a Miami Vice without mixing the layers?
To achieve the distinctive half-and-half layered effect, prepare each blended component separately and freeze them to a slightly slushy consistency. Pour the Piña Colada blend into one side of the glass while simultaneously pouring the Strawberry Daiquiri down the other side using the back of a spoon as a guide. The similar densities of the two frozen layers keep them visually separated.
What is the ABV of a Miami Vice cocktail?
A Miami Vice typically has an ABV of around 8–12%, as each frozen layer is diluted by fruit juice and ice during blending. White rum is the primary spirit in both components, and the coconut cream in the Piña Colada layer adds caloric richness rather than alcohol. The result is a visually striking tropical cocktail with a moderate, refreshing strength.
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