Art Basel 2024: Cocktails and Creativity in Miami

On the roof of South Beach, Miami’s Betsy Hotel, the blinding sun today is just like the property itself: glorious.

Flying to South Florida from New York last week, I’ve come down south to take in the city’s famed Art Week, otherwise known as Art Basel. It’s a week-long period of eye-popping work, glamorous parties and, of course, cocktails.

The rooftop pool at the Betsy acts as the epitome of Miami culture; among them: unbeatable weather, perfect drinks, fun vibes with a glint of a laid-back attitude and the property here encompasses a variety of places to rest your head. This morning I read a book in the courtyard. There’s even a reading and writing room. The lobby is full of comfy couches, along with LT Steak and Seafood; the celebrated restaurant on site.

But, here on the roof, I’m imbibing before I head out to see some art. Not that The Betsy doesn’t have their fair share of that here; from an Orb sculpture that sits high above the street (this weekend it was illuminated by the artist [dNASAb]) to a variety of photography and painting exhibitions courtesy a range of artists, local and otherwise. To power me up, The Betsy’s poolside bar offers an equally beautiful array of refreshments (including the complimentary fruit skewers to nosh on while you soak in the sun). One of the libations is museum worthy itself: a “Whole Loaded Pineapple” filled with the vodka, tequila, or rum of your choice.

The confluence of well-crafted cocktails and art also manifests itself up north in Bal Harbour. On the shores of crystal-clear waters (so clear, one morning I saw a stingray happily floating below the surface of the water as a boat sailed by), lies the mighty Ritz Carlton.

It’s a quiet property filled with classy elegance; starting with a shiny marble-floored lobby flaunting a Christmas tree and a baby grand piano. The rooms here are airy; when I checked in for my one-night stay, the far side of my room had a perfect view of the Atlantic; the other side is a perch onto Miami proper. The minibar boasts the proper ingredients to imbibe, and yes, that includes champagne.

On this particular day, the lobby is a flurry of activity hosting a unique kind-of event: a puzzle exhibition. They’re courtesy of JIGGY, a female-founded company featured on Shark Tank. The exhibit boasts nine female artists whose work has turned into jigsaw puzzles (which are all for sale). I meet Katy Hirschfeld, a collage artist whose work is spectacular; the entire exhibit proves art can be a bridge between respectable and fun.

Nearby, the Ritz’s on-site restaurant Artisan Beach House serves as the exhibit’s unofficial after party. I order a Negroni and gaze over the sea; the sun has now gone down, but I know the waves are still somewhere out there.

Another Art Week night I find myself smack in the middle of South Beach at The National Hotel. The ornately decorated property (think: leopard prints and posters of Hollywood starlets including Barbra Streisand) dates back to 1939. The chic outdoor pool area here is flanked by palm trees and it seems like the kind of place Greta Garbo would fit right in. Inside, there are original tile murals from the acclaimed Tamara de Lempicka. I walk in and take a sip at the watercooler filled with fruit effervescence in the lobby; a trend here in Miami, I’ve found.

The National’s pride and joy is Mareva1939, known as one of the best Spanish restaurants in the city (and for a metropolis full of them, that’s saying something). The attention to detail here is profound: our kind waitress gives me both raw sugar and sugar syrup for two choices after I order a coffee at the end of our delicious meal. The octopus was as tender as can be, meanwhile we feast on succulent duck, while the cuisine’s beloved potato dish in the form of Patatas Bravas are crisp and delicious. The same could be said for a stacked cocktail menu from Bar 1939 (also available at the restaurant). Chamizo’s Advice kicks off the list of libations, boasting Zacapa No. 23 Rum, cherry liqueur, Manzanilla, with citrus foam and pink pepper.

The late night party scene here is a hallmark of the weekend and as a result, many booze brands launch their own activations. On this particular Friday night, I head to a party at the Faena Hotel’s tucked-away jewel in the form of the Saxony Bar. The cognac brand D’usse has taken it over with guests including the rappers Quavo and Chance the Rapper. It’s hosted by Hit-Boy (Drake’s go-to producer). Guests dressed to impress, with designer clothes the name of the game here.

As you could imagine, hip-hop hits blasted through the speakers, and everybody was sipping. Naturally, the cocktails here were furnished by D’usse, including a Pomegranate Lemonade Spritz with prosecco. It was the star of the show, mainly because of a sprig of rosemary which was torched before serving for a fiery, smokey delight.

As the week wound down, nearby at Ritz Carlton South Beach, another party raged. This one went down at the property’s outdoor Dilido Beach Club and was hosted in part by José Andrés Group for their own private Festival of the Arts, boasting an array of international artists and, since it’s associated with the superstar chef, tasty bites. That includes a “Txuleburger” which is ground aged ribeye concocted in salute of Spain’s Basque country (Jose’s home country). Here, some cocktails were served using WAVA Water, a caffeinated sparkling water that I’m sure would come in handy for night owls. Naturally, a fire dancer helped close out the night.

When the final day of Art Week ascended, it was a full circle moment to head to the aforementioned Ritz Carlton South Beach’s Zaytinya, considering it’s Jose Andres’ mezze-style restaurant (it has other locations in New York and D.C.).

I sat within steps of (another) pool as the sun shone up above, platters of fried eggplant, lamb chops, baba ghanoush all paraded out; each more delicious than the other. The cocktails also shone, including what they dub Mojito by way of Mastic. It features the Greek-born liqueur skinos mastiha, as well as sugar cane spirit, lime, mint and bitters.

It served as the perfect way to cheers another Art Week on the canvas…. I mean, books.