Ingredients
- 2 oz rum divided
- 1 cup strawberries chopped
- 1 oz lime juice freshly squeezed
- 1/2 oz Sugar Syrup
- 2 oz cream of coconut
- 2 oz pineapple juice
Garnish:
- pineapple slice
Instructions
Prepare the Strawberry Daiquiri:
- In a blender, add 1 ounce of the rum, strawberries, lime juice, simple syrup, and 1 cup of crushed ice.
- Blend until smooth.
- Pour into a hurricane glass and set in the freezer.
Prepare the Piña Colada:
- Wash and dry the blender thoroughly.
- In the clean blender jar, add the remaining 1 ounce of rum, cream of coconut, pineapple juice, and 1 cup of crushed ice.
- Blend until smooth.
Layer the Cocktails:
- Pour the Piña Colada mixture into the hurricane glass that already contains the Strawberry Daiquiri, creating a layered effect.
Garnish:
- Garnish with a pineapple slice.
Serve:
- Serve immediately and enjoy your tropical Miami Vice cocktail.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
The Miami Vice Cocktail emerged from the vibrant bar scenes of Florida, particularly South Florida, likely in the 1980s. It's a product of the era's love for elaborate, sweet, and visually striking frozen drinks, perfectly embodying the tropical, party-centric culture associated with cities like Miami.
This drink is a hybrid, a direct descendant of both the Piña Colada and the Strawberry Daiquiri. It belongs to the broader family of frozen, blended, rum-based tropical cocktails. What sets the Miami Vice apart is its distinct layered or swirled presentation, offering two distinct flavor profiles in one glass.
You'd order a Miami Vice at a resort bar, a cruise ship, or any establishment with a blender and a clientele looking for a fun, refreshing escape. It's a quintessential poolside or beach drink, best enjoyed when the sun is high and the vibe is relaxed. It's a vacation day in liquid form.
What it tastes like
Expect a sweet, creamy, and intensely fruity explosion. The coconut cream and pineapple juice from the Piña Colada side provide a rich, tropical base, while the fresh strawberries and lime from the Daiquiri offer a tart, berry counterpoint. The rum provides a warm, boozy backbone that ties it all together.
Given standard pour sizes, a Miami Vice Cocktail typically lands around 15-20% ABV, depending on the rum proof and dilution. This puts it squarely in the range of a strong wine or a double shot of liquor, making it significantly stronger than a standard 5% ABV beer. Tread lightly, they go down easy.
The technique
Building a Miami Vice involves preparing a Piña Colada and a Strawberry Daiquiri separately in a blender, then combining them in a hurricane or large stemmed glass. Blend each component with ice until smooth, aiming for a slushy consistency. Layering or swirling them carefully creates the signature visual effect.
The crucial technique is achieving the right texture for both frozen components. They need to be thick enough to hold their shape when layered or swirled, but still pourable. Over-blending makes it too thin, under-blending leaves ice chunks. Aim for a smooth, thick slush.
Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
White Rum
- Use
- Bacardi Superior, Havana Club 3 Años, Plantation 3 Stars. Look for a clean, light-bodied rum that won't overpower the fruit.
- Skip
- Aged rums, spiced rums, or anything too funky. Their complex flavors will clash with the tropical profile.
- Why
- White rum provides the alcoholic backbone without adding competing flavors. It lets the fruit and coconut shine.
Strawberries
- Use
- Fresh, ripe strawberries are always best for flavor and color. Frozen strawberries work well too, especially for texture.
- Skip
- Strawberry syrup or artificial strawberry flavoring as a primary source. They lack the fresh tartness needed.
- Why
- Strawberries are essential for the Daiquiri half, providing both the vibrant color and the sweet-tart berry profile.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink.
Piña Colada
- The creamy tropical original.
- Skip the strawberry side and enjoy the classic blend of rum, coconut, and pineapple. A pure taste of the Caribbean.
Strawberry Daiquiri
- The berry-bright frozen classic.
- Forgo the coconut and pineapple, focusing on the vibrant mix of rum, fresh strawberries, lime, and a touch of sweetness.
Dirty Vice
- A darker, more complex swirl.
- Substitute a dark or aged rum for the white rum in either or both halves for a richer, more robust flavor profile.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Use a light gold rum or even vodka in a pinch, though the rum character will be missed.
Canned coconut milk (full fat, chilled) can work, but it will be less rich. Add a bit more sugar.
Frozen strawberries are a great substitute, and often yield a better frozen texture.
This drink really needs a blender. A food processor might work if it's powerful enough for ice, but it's a compromise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Miami Vice Cocktail?
A Miami Vice Cocktail is a layered frozen drink combining a Piña Colada and a Strawberry Daiquiri. It typically contains white rum, coconut cream, pineapple juice, lime juice, strawberries, and sugar or simple syrup.
Is a Miami Vice Cocktail strong?
Yes, it can be quite strong. With two full servings of rum, it usually has an ABV comparable to a strong wine, so enjoy it responsibly.
What glass do you serve a Miami Vice in?
A hurricane glass or a large stemmed goblet is ideal to showcase the layered colors and accommodate the generous volume.
Can I make a Miami Vice non-alcoholic?
Absolutely. Omit the rum from both the Piña Colada and Strawberry Daiquiri components for a delicious virgin version.
What does a Miami Vice Cocktail taste like?
It tastes like a sweet, creamy, and fruity tropical vacation. You get the rich coconut and pineapple from one side, balanced by the tart, sweet strawberry and lime from the other.
What's the difference between a Miami Vice and a Lava Flow?
A Lava Flow uses banana and coconut cream for its white base, with a strawberry puree "lava" swirl. A Miami Vice explicitly combines a Piña Colada with a Strawberry Daiquiri.
Do I have to layer the Miami Vice?
No, you can swirl the two components together for a marbled effect, or even blend them completely for a uniform pink drink. The layered look is just for aesthetics.
Can I use frozen fruit for a Miami Vice?
Yes, frozen strawberries are excellent for the Strawberry Daiquiri portion, as they contribute to the cold, thick texture without diluting the drink.
More Like This
More drinks in the same family.
