I’m excited to tell you about a recent Miami event I attended – InterContinental Miami’s Cocktails for a Cause Make-A-Wish Event. It was a very lively event with a live DJ, tapas, cocktails. The event brought together some of Miami’s top bartenders, who competed for the title of best cocktail of the evening. Each guest was given a token to vote on their favorite cocktail. All proceeds benefited Make-A-Wish Southern Florida.

My friend Michael was visiting from Buffalo, NY. He’s a long-time friend from graduate school days. When he texted that he’d be in town for a conference, I wanted to find something fun for us to do. And if you’ve read my previous posts: Jimmy Choo Shopping Benefit Event, Coral Gables or Red Carpet Candids at Destination Fashion 2016, Bal Harbour Shops, then you already know that I enjoy events that benefit the less fortunate. Then when you couple that with food and drinks, count me in!

Ok, enough talking. Here’s my photo recap of my InterContinental Miami Cocktails for a Cause experience…

If you follow me on Instagram, then you’ve already seen this photo I took with my phone, the day of the event:

Before walking into the event, we took a moment to appreciate the wonderful scenery outside of InterContinental Miami Hotel:

Let’s go inside!

Matt Phillips from Toro Toro

One of my favorite drinks of the night was the Cortadito Martini from Ani Cardona, MO Bar – very smooth and delicious!

Matt Kinzer from Wynwood Diner whipping up a Cinnamon Toast Fizz

Enjoying a Cinnamon Toast Fizz, crafted by Wynwood Diner’s, Matt Kinzer

Clyde Thompson from Zest -Spicy Cuban Old Fashioned

Matt Glazer from Beaker and Grey – Banana Foster MaiTai

Andrea Steevens from Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill

Taking a serious social media break

Derek Stillman from Pawnbroker, The Langford Hotel

And the winner is…Jill Cohen, Bella Morena cocktail from Blackbird Ordinary…

Speaking with then Director of Marketing, Christine Corson, InterContinental Miami Hotel

 Jill Cohen’s Bella Morena cocktail won best cocktail of the evening. The Bella Morena cocktail will be featured at Toro Toro Restaurant and Blackbird Ordinary throughout the month of May. Make sure to go and check it out! All proceeds benefit Make-A-Wish Southern Florida.

What a fun night! As if cocktails, tapas, and catching up wasn’t enough, we completed the night with appetizers and dessert at Toro Toro Restaurant. Feast your eyes on La Bomba dessert(taken with my iPhone):

Before:  I was not prepared when our waiter, smashed our dessert into an explosion of…

After: Chocolate, fresh berries, dulce de leche and strawberry ice cream, cream cheese mousse, almond cookie crumbs, caramel, and vanilla and berry sauce. How could something be so ridiculously good?!

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed my recap! Make sure not to miss future experiences by either following me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat: joinmeinmiami, or Pinterest and /or subscribing to my newsletter:

Till next time! xox

Photography by Julio Benitez /wordsmithy@gmail.com