(Photo Credit: La Cocina Cocteleria)
La Cocina Cocteleria Launches New Cocktail Program
“Only In Miami” Style Cocktails are the Name of the Game at Hialeah Landmark
Anyone familiar with Kush Hospitality Group (KHG) and its concepts knows that no one injects as much whimsy and pop culture goodness into all that they do as KHG. From Walter Mercado shrines to Scarface-style VIP rooms, everything is touched by the magical madness of KHG founder/owner Matthew “Kush” Kuscher. So it is no surprise that Kush and his talented beverage team, headed by bar pro and Corporate Beverage Director Cristina Suarez, will be giving plenty of reasons to sip, savor, and social media the new drinks at La Cocina Cocteleria
Launched in 2019 and connected to Kush Hialeah (formerly Stephen’s Deli), La Cocina is the cocktail bar in Hialeah and like all-things-KHG pays homage to its host city with a dazzling decor equal parts tribute and 305 fever dream. Below is an overview of La Cocina’s new pours available as of July 2022:
Inspired by Chuchi’s (pet name for cutie) city-wide, tequila lovers will be head over heels for the Que Cute, featuring Sauza Tequila, Triple Sec, and guava. The Brujeria, loosely translated as Latin folk magic, is made with Sauza Tequila, Ancho Reyes, jalapeño, and Fevertree grapefruit soda. Paying respects to the Puerto Rican astrologer Walter Mercado, the Mucho Mucho Mezcal is poured with a cantaloupe-infused Montelobos Mezcal, Midori and sour mix.
For bourbon lovers and Latin music enthusiasts, the Ay Que Feo cocktail is presented with a photo of Colombian artist Maluma and prepared with Old Forester Bourbon, Aperol, passionfruit, and pineapple. Those looking for sweetness and sarcasm should try Sh*t Hialeah Girls Say, a bubblegum-infused cosmo, or for an island vibe, there’s the Cocolito, prepared with Rumhaven, Coco Lopez, mint, and lime. Inspired by one of Kush’s most infamous fictional characters — Hialeah Hector — the El Burrito Sabanero delivers a powerful punch with a blend of Voli 305, lime juice, mango, and ginger beer. Inspired by Hector’s partner in crime, Pata Sucia Patty, no stop at La Cocina is complete without a glass of Pata Sucia Punch, a blended variety of rums, brandy, passionfruit, and fruit juices.
Inspired, but not sponsored by, cleaning product Fabuloso and abuelitas from all over Miami, the Sapingoso cocktail is made with butterfly pea flower-infused Fords Gin and Creme de Violette. Finally, there’s the Nooo Que Bueno; inspired by Valsan — a well-known, oh-so-Miami department store selling a mix of products including jewelry, cosmetics, clothing, and fragrances — the drink is as one-of-kind as its influence, a heady mix of Brugal 1888, sweet vermouth, cold brew coffee, and tobacco bitters.
La Cocina Cocteleria is located at 1000 East 16th Street in Hialeah, Florida. It is open Fridays and Saturdays from 7PM to last call. Telephone: (305) 887-8863; www.https://kushhospitality.com/locations/la-cocina/
ABOUT KUSH HOSPITALITY GROUP:
Founded in 2011, Kush Hospitality Group (KHG) began with the mission to create and operate cutting-edge, one-of-a-kind concepts inspired by South Florida’s rich and diverse community. Every element of each KHG concept is hyper-curated by owner Matt Kuscher, from the menu design and art to merchandise and music. Each restaurant offers menus featuring locally sourced ingredients as well as interiors thoughtfully designed using primarily upcycled and environmentally friendly materials. In fact, KHG has become known as a local leader in eco-friendly practices, having received multiple awards acknowledging their conscious efforts. Kuscher’s goal is to provide the ultimate guest experience with stellar service, made-from-scratch food, and works by local artists carefully chosen so that each concept reflects its specific location and unique perspective on Miami life. KHG’s first concept, LoKal, pronounced [lo-ka’l], opened its doors in December 2011 in Coconut Grove with the intention of featuring ingredients and beers primarily from Florida. LoKal is the first restaurant in Miami-Dade County to use 100% clean, renewable energy sourced from wind and solar power. Other restaurants followed: Kush Wynwood, located in Miami’s Wynwood arts district, and its sister store next door, Botanica – both of which have become known for their expansive craft beer selection; Kush Coconut Grove, which offers sustainable seafood paired with eclectic cocktails, ciders and meads; and Vicky’s House Milkshake Bar + Beer Store, a replica of Kuscher’s childhood home in 1986 located next door to LoKal and named after Kuscher’s mother. In the Spring of 2019, after close to two years of development and historically-minded redesign, KHG opened Kush Hialeah, a carefully-refurbished incarnation of the legendary Stephen’s Deli, which first opened in 1954. Accessible through Stephen’s as well as through its own entrance – in a space that was Stephen’s former kitchen – is La Cocina Cocteleria, Hialeah’s first cocktail bar. Tobacco by Road by Kush, a tribute to the historic Miami’s bar and live music venue is located in Brickell and launched in 2021. Café Kush is located in the historical MiMo – short for “Miami Modern” – district, at the Selina Gold Dust Motel. Kuscher’s most recent venture, Don’s 5 Star Dive Bar, located right beneath Café Kush, serves up craft cocktails in underground-cool environs.
