Planning a themed party in Miami? There’s no better way to impress your guests than with expertly crafted cocktails that capture the essence of two timeless themes: the glamorous opulence of the Roaring Twenties and the tropical charm of 1950s Havana. Whether you’re channeling Jay Gatsby’s lavish soirées or transporting your crowd to a steamy Cuban night under palm trees, your cocktail menu sets the tone. If you’re considering a mobile bartending service, here’s everything you need to know about curating an unforgettable Great Gatsby drinks menu or hosting a vibrant Havana Nights themed party.
Great Gatsby Drinks: Prohibition-Era Elegance in Every Sip
The Great Gatsby theme has become synonymous with vintage luxury, black-tie attire, jazz, and cocktails that ooze sophistication. It’s more than just a party aesthetic—it’s a celebration of an era that embraced excess with style. Think glittering chandeliers, champagne towers, and live jazz echoing through a beautifully decorated room. Your cocktail selection should reflect this rich backdrop.
Signature Cocktails for a Gatsby-Themed Event:
- French 75
- A sparkling blend of gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and champagne. Light, elegant, and a crowd-pleaser, it dates back to WWI and was named after the French 75mm field gun for its kick.
- A sparkling blend of gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and champagne. Light, elegant, and a crowd-pleaser, it dates back to WWI and was named after the French 75mm field gun for its kick.
- Bee’s Knees
- Made with gin, lemon juice, and honey syrup. During Prohibition, honey and citrus were used to mask the taste of bathtub gin. Now it’s a sweet, slightly tart drink that feels timeless.
- Made with gin, lemon juice, and honey syrup. During Prohibition, honey and citrus were used to mask the taste of bathtub gin. Now it’s a sweet, slightly tart drink that feels timeless.
- Sidecar
- A refined mix of cognac, Cointreau, and lemon juice. Served with a sugared rim, this cocktail is zesty, rich, and absolutely perfect for elegant occasions.
- A refined mix of cognac, Cointreau, and lemon juice. Served with a sugared rim, this cocktail is zesty, rich, and absolutely perfect for elegant occasions.
- Mint Julep
- Traditionally made with bourbon, crushed ice, mint, and simple syrup. It’s cooling and classy—a Southern staple that earned a spot in Gatsby-inspired menus.
- Traditionally made with bourbon, crushed ice, mint, and simple syrup. It’s cooling and classy—a Southern staple that earned a spot in Gatsby-inspired menus.
- The Fitzgerald
- A crisp concoction of gin, lemon juice, and Angostura bitters. Named for the man behind Gatsby himself, this drink has just enough edge to stand out.
- A crisp concoction of gin, lemon juice, and Angostura bitters. Named for the man behind Gatsby himself, this drink has just enough edge to stand out.
- Champagne Tower Specials
- Mix up custom champagne cocktails using elderflower liqueur, raspberry purée, or bitters. Layering the bubbly in a champagne tower adds theater to your bar setup.
- Mix up custom champagne cocktails using elderflower liqueur, raspberry purée, or bitters. Layering the bubbly in a champagne tower adds theater to your bar setup.
Presentation Tip: Use coupe glasses, etched tumblers, and elegant garnishes like edible flowers, lemon twists, or crystal-clear ice cubes to elevate the vibe. Don’t forget era-appropriate bar décor—think vintage decanters, black and gold accents, and glowing art deco signage.
Havana Nights Themed Party: Rum, Rhythm, and Retro Cuban Style
A Havana Nights themed party is your passport to a vibrant celebration inspired by mid-century Cuba. It’s all about bold flavors, rhythmic music, and a backdrop that channels old Havana’s timeless energy. In Miami, with its Cuban heritage and tropical ambiance, the theme is a natural fit. Picture guests arriving in linen shirts and floral dresses, greeted by the scent of fresh mint and the sounds of salsa echoing into the night.
Must-Have Havana Cocktails:
- Mojito
- Fresh mint, white rum, lime juice, sugar, and soda water. It’s light, crisp, and bursting with flavor—the epitome of a Cuban cocktail.
- Fresh mint, white rum, lime juice, sugar, and soda water. It’s light, crisp, and bursting with flavor—the epitome of a Cuban cocktail.
- Daiquiri (Classic)
- A simple yet elegant blend of white rum, fresh lime juice, and sugar syrup, shaken and served straight up. Ernest Hemingway popularized it at El Floridita bar in Havana.
- A simple yet elegant blend of white rum, fresh lime juice, and sugar syrup, shaken and served straight up. Ernest Hemingway popularized it at El Floridita bar in Havana.
- El Presidente
- Made with rum, dry vermouth, orange curaçao, and a splash of grenadine. Complex yet approachable, it was the drink of choice for Cuban elites in the 1920s.
- Made with rum, dry vermouth, orange curaçao, and a splash of grenadine. Complex yet approachable, it was the drink of choice for Cuban elites in the 1920s.
- Cuba Libre
- Rum and Coca-Cola with a generous squeeze of lime. A nod to both Cuban identity and casual sipping.
- Rum and Coca-Cola with a generous squeeze of lime. A nod to both Cuban identity and casual sipping.
- Old Cuban
- A modern classic combining aged rum, mint, lime, bitters, sugar syrup, and champagne. It’s elegant, festive, and unmistakably Latin in spirit.
- A modern classic combining aged rum, mint, lime, bitters, sugar syrup, and champagne. It’s elegant, festive, and unmistakably Latin in spirit.
- Cancha
- A traditional drink featuring rum, lime, and sugar served over ice in a short glass—simple, robust, and authentically Cuban.
- A traditional drink featuring rum, lime, and sugar served over ice in a short glass—simple, robust, and authentically Cuban.
Décor Ideas: Add palm fronds, rattan furniture, string lights, cigar lounge corners, and vintage Cuban posters. For the soundtrack, rotate classic salsa, Cuban jazz, and reggaeton beats to keep the party pulsing. Dancers and live bands can take the celebration to the next level.
Why Hire a Mobile Bartending Service in Miami?
A themed party isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about the full experience. Mobile bartending services in Miami specialize in bringing professional cocktail experiences to your location, whether you’re hosting on a rooftop, in your backyard, or at a rented venue. Miami is all about indulgence and style—so your bar service should reflect that.
Benefits:
- Customization: Tailor the drink menu to your theme. Want a bourbon-forward Gatsby drink or a sugarcane mojito station? You got it.
- Expert Mixologists: Professional bartenders with a flair for presentation and efficiency.
- No Stress: Setup, service, and cleanup handled for you.
- Visual Appeal: Themed bar setups and uniforms add to the immersive atmosphere.
- Glassware & Garnish Variety: Choose elegant coupe glasses for Gatsby and tiki mugs or hollowed coconuts for Havana.
Most mobile bartenders also provide alcohol consultation, can source ingredients, or even design exclusive drinks with custom names, backstories, and displays. It’s not just bartending—it’s performance art.
Mixing It Up: Signature Ideas for Both Themes
If you’re hosting a larger event or simply want to blend the two themes, create cocktail stations: one Gatsby, one Havana. You can even guide your guests through the “decades” with a custom tasting menu.
Sample Menu Highlights:
- Jay’s Elixir (Great Gatsby Station)
- Champagne, elderflower liqueur, and a gold sugar rim. Light and floral with an opulent finish.
- Champagne, elderflower liqueur, and a gold sugar rim. Light and floral with an opulent finish.
- Havana Heat (Havana Nights Station)
- Spicy mango rum punch with jalapeño and citrus. Bright, bold, and unforgettable.
- Spicy mango rum punch with jalapeño and citrus. Bright, bold, and unforgettable.
- Mint Condition
- A hybrid Mojito-Julep with bourbon, mint, and lime. Unexpected and refreshing.
- A hybrid Mojito-Julep with bourbon, mint, and lime. Unexpected and refreshing.
- Midnight in Miami
- A dark rum espresso martini with chocolate bitters. Decadent and caffeinated—the perfect late-night pick-me-up.
- A dark rum espresso martini with chocolate bitters. Decadent and caffeinated—the perfect late-night pick-me-up.
- Jazz & Jungle
- A split-base drink with rum and gin, pineapple juice, and dry vermouth. A marriage of Prohibition glamour and tropical punch.
- A split-base drink with rum and gin, pineapple juice, and dry vermouth. A marriage of Prohibition glamour and tropical punch.
Details That Make a Difference
Your guests will remember more than the drinks—they’ll remember how the drinks made them feel. Presentation, interaction, and detail turn a fun party into a lasting memory.
Enhance Your Cocktail Experience with:
- Themed Garnishes: Pineapple leaves, dehydrated citrus, edible flowers, sugar cane sticks.
- Interactive Stations: Mojito muddling bar, speakeasy-style mystery cocktails.
- Glassware Variety: Coupe, highball, tiki mugs, vintage crystal.
- Custom Menus: Printed cocktail cards with stories behind each drink.
- Signature Ice Shapes: Clear spheres, logo ice cubes, or mint-infused cubes.
Add photo booths with 1920s props or tropical backdrops. Offer signature mocktails for designated drivers. Even personalized cocktail napkins can leave a lasting impression.
Miami Vibes Meet Themed Luxury
Miami isn’t just a city—it’s a mood. Its unique blend of Art Deco, Caribbean roots, and luxury culture makes it the perfect setting for themed events that go all out. A Great Gatsby or Havana Nights themed party fits right into the city’s aesthetic, and a mobile bartending service helps you take full advantage of that.
From Coral Gables to Wynwood, the diversity of venues in Miami means you can host your event in a rooftop bar with ocean views or an Art Deco mansion with vintage charm. Pair that with a bar team who knows their way around a shaker and a good theme, and you’ve got an unforgettable event.
Whether you’re planning a wedding afterparty, a corporate mixer, a birthday bash, or an upscale garden soirée, these themes are endlessly adaptable and always impressive. Miami’s nightlife is electric, and your party should be too.
Closing Thoughts
When you’re planning a Great Gatsby drinks celebration or a Havana Nights themed party, your cocktail menu is more than just a checklist—it’s part of the experience. Miami’s vibrant nightlife and cultural scene make it the perfect playground for themed events. And with the help of a skilled mobile bartending service, you can bring your vision to life in the most delicious way possible.
Go beyond simple drink service—tell a story with your bar. Use cocktails to create atmosphere, elicit emotion, and entertain your guests. Whether they’re sipping gin fizzes in beaded gowns or toasting daiquiris to salsa rhythms, they’ll be talking about your party long after the final toast.
All that’s left now is to raise your glass—and make sure it’s filled with something unforgettable.
