So much of South Beach is about style over substance, or at least that’s the reputation. However, thanks to The Sydell Group and seasoned bartenders Elad Zvi and Gabriel Orta from Bar Lab, a small pocket of the island has become a care-free getaway with destination cocktails. Broken Shaker resides behind the Freehand Miami Hostel, a relatively surprising location for a trendy bar. This inviting Art Deco property incorporates brick-lined paths, a lounge chair-framed pool, and plant-lined yard. Supplementary entertainment includes a ping pong table, oversized Jenga board, and the occasional live reggae performance. Zvi and Orta have populated Broken Shaker’s bar with shelves of house-made bitters, tinctures and syrups that draw on seasonal, global flavors.

My drink of choice didn’t rely on alchemy. Instead, it was a play on the South Side cocktail, named for Chicago’s South Side. However, in this case, Kumquat South Side ($11) showcased tart Florida kumquats, “a touch” of sweet citrus, shaken with a base of Bombay dry gin. Garnishes consisted of aromatic kumquat and chocolate mint, served tall over a sizable bed of ice. Sitting poolside in Miami’s warm winter air, Kumquat South Side proved to be a seriously refreshing drink.