Manny Portuondo is one of South Florida’s more successful and respected restaurateurs, businessmen and entrepreneurs. And as with most successful people – in any business or walk of life – there really is no “secret’’ that has helped them succeed, just a formula that serves as a sort of roadmap to success.
Spend a few minutes talking to Portuondo about the success of his Cervecería La Tropical restaurant in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood – specifically about the creation of “La Tropical Mixología’’ marketed as the “World’s First Distilled Beer Cocktail ” – and you’ll likely discover that formula.
“The best innovations come from trying to solve a problem,’’ said Portuondo, Founder/CEO of Three Palms Holdings LLC, owner of Cervecería La Tropical.
Having over the past couple of years successfully developing two flavors (Pasióntini and Blanco Rum Mojito Cocktail) of La Tropical Mixología Mixología for Cervecería La Tropical’s bar and tapas menus, Portuondo’s problem was this: How to get them into cans ready-to-drink market.
“That was a task in itself, because it was illegal to mix two different alcohols in the same packages.’’
Credit: La Tropical Mixología
Portuondo fought through months of legal red tape – and attorneys – before he found what he called his “Eureka’’ moment.
“I had been talking to the beer guys,’’ Portuondo said. “I needed to talk to the spirits guys. If we distill beer, it’s no longer classified as a beer.’’
Thus, this past January, La Tropical Mixología in cans was born. Crafted by master brewers, distillers and mixologists of La Tropical,La Tropical Mixología, Portuondo said, redefines the boundaries of what a cocktail can be, while capturing the vibrant soul of Miami and the rich heritage of La Habana.
Each of the new cocktails starts with La Tropical beer that has been triple distilled in a pot distillation to create a clear, clean and smooth spirit that retains a floral nose and malty backbone. The La Tropical beer spirit is then blended with premium vodka or rum to create two distinctive flavors with a 5.9% ABV.
Portuondo has patents pending on the distilling processes.
“We really think we are onto somethings and excited to share it with the rest of world.’’
La Tropical Mixología cocktails join La Tropical’s portfolio of award-winning cervezas, including the popular La Original, a Vienna-style Amber Lager that first became world famous in Havana in 1888; Tropi Crystal Pilsner, La Autentica, first launched in 1928; and some new Miami additions such as Nativo Key Tropical IPA and Tropi Flaca Light Lager with only 88 calories.
“This new cocktail reflects the DNA of our city. It is a celebration of flavor, culture and the way we love to mix things up in Miami,” Portuondo said. “With La Tropical Mixología, we’ve created a fiesta in a can and in the process, a new category of cocktails, targeting the $2.6 billion RTD spirit market, which is expected to grow to $41.5 billion by 2031.
“It’s the best of both worlds – exciting and full of flavor like your favorite handcrafted cocktail and refreshing like a cerveza.”
Feaure Photo: Manny Portuondo (La Tropical Mixología)