Why some bartenders consider Miami Vice overrated
Several cocktail creators consider some popular drinks at the bar to be overrated, and the Miami Vice, loaded with sugary syrups, is one of them.
At the bar, the sheer number of drinks can be overwhelming. Several cocktail makers shared with Insider the drinks they consider overrated. Alisha Kaplan, manager of Wolf's Ridge Brewing, loves the classic Old Fashioned, but believes it's best to avoid the bar's overpriced Long Island Iced Teas, which she sees as an excessive mix of low-quality liquors.
Beverage consultant Kim Haasarud loves Tommy's Margarita, but feels that the house margaritas often use low-quality ingredients. The Miami Vice, another fruity cocktail, is a sweet treat, but it has its own problems, mostly related to its large amount of sugary syrups.
The Miami Vice is a frozen, fruity cocktail. In its simplest version, it combines a strawberry daiquiri, with its rum and fruit flavor, with a piña colada. Both drinks are prepared separately and poured into a single glass to the bartender's liking. Although the drink gained popularity with the television series "Miami Vice," it had existed for decades before the show premiered.
Omar Torres, director of the Bonsai restaurant at the Hilton Pensacola Beach, explained to Insider that the Miami Vice, like other fruity cocktails, uses too much sugary syrup. These syrups can contain many chemicals and, above all, mask the complex flavors of the rum. Torres believes that cocktails should taste fresh.
The problem goes beyond taste. Vodka is the alcoholic beverage least likely to cause a hangover, due to its low cogener content, a byproduct of sugar fermentation. Rum and other dark spirits have much more and can contribute to a severe headache. Although many believe otherwise, sugar alone doesn't worsen a hangover: Dr. Jason Burke explains to Wine Spectator that studies don't show a significant correlation. However, sugar enhances flavor, so it's easy to drink more sweet cocktails than strong ones, which can ultimately make you feel worse.
Some vehemently defend Miami Vice for its fun nature. For them, it's bright, sweet, and simple, combining two complementary fruity flavors in a refreshing drink.