Twelve floors above Manhattan’s Lower East Side, where street artists sketch murals on rugged brick walls and vintage jazz drifts from unmarked speakeasy windows, a florist situated the final whimsical bouquet of delicate orchids and glossy anthuriums on a mirrored pedestal. Alongside the blooming displays of twisting vines and silken petals, a lone bottle of Zacapa XO Rum and a signature woven Agua by Agua Bendita bag sat in the warm glint of golden hour. New York’s jagged skyline shimmered in the distance below, the perfect plus-one to a celebratory evening steeped in style and the slow, sweet art of savoring.
After all, nothing rings in rooftop season like a sweeping view, sumptuous small bites, and good company, enjoyed high above the sun-dappled sidewalks—and that’s exactly what Zacapa x Agua by Agua Bendita and Highsnobiety delivered at their ethereal “Zacapa Nights” gathering last week. Atop the Nine Orchard Hotel, nearly 200 guests showed up and out in their silk-and-floral finery to give a toast to the Zacapa x Agua by Agua Bendita Heritage Kit, a love letter to Latin American culture and craftsmanship.
Attendees streamed into the airy venue just before golden hour, a sea of silk, florals, and the occasional bold animal print prowling through the crowd. Among those turning heads in Agua by Agua Bendita—the luxury Colombian label and one half of the night’s celebrated collaboration—were model Chloé Vero, blossoming in an embroidered white orchid knit, and actress-skateboarder Brenn Lorenzo, outfitted in a vivid green floral frock. Influencers and fashion editors beelined to the gleaming bar for a bespoke Zacapa Rum cocktail, while others breezed out onto the space’s famous 60-foot tempietto to grab an Instagram-worthy skyline pic before the sunset. Glass clinks, camera shutters and the gentle hum of conversation wove through the evening air as partygoers mingled and queued for their next round.
As the last rays of golden hour melted into dusk, the music dimmed, and a sharp crackle of microphones cut through the music. Agua by Agua Bendita co-founders Mariana Hinestroza and Catalina Alvarez raised a glass, welcoming the crowd with a heartwarming toast to craft, culture, and togetherness. With that, the night officially shifted gears—the summer soirée was officially underway.
EspreXO Martini! Zacapa Daiquiri Spritz! A cacophony of drink orders cheerily clamored at the bar counter where bartenders shook and stirred under the watchful eye of cocktail-craving guests. Coupes in hand, partygoers strolled to the Charm Bar to craft a customized stemware accessory. There, they rummaged through initial charms, cocktail-shaped charms, and cloud pendants—a nod to how Zacapa Rum is aged above the clouds in the Guatemalan highlands for a uniquely smooth flavor.
As the sun set, the illuminated Brooklyn Bridge sparkled in the distance. Paper lanterns bloomed to life, filling the venue with warm light. The sky melted from sherbet pink to inky navy as the symphony of stilettos tapping and a Y2K Destiny’s Child throwback hummed through the balmy air. Waiters floated through grooving bodies, proffering bite-sized chicken tostadas and citrusy shrimp ceviche on salted rice crackers to throngs of eager, extended manicured hands.
While a few celebrants mingled by the bar, flanked by a towering display of Zacapa bottles along its back wall, others hit the dance floor to jam out. DJ trio Las Flaquitas upped the evening’s pulse to the tune of Rosalía and retro R&B that sent hips swaying—deeper into the crowd or back to the bar for the next round.
Eventually, the lights dimmed and the music softened, signaling the night’s final clinks and spins. Party over, guests spilled back into the concrete jungle, stepping into Ubers, adjacent neon-lit bodegas, or disappearing into the city’s next secret skyline perch. Because summer in New York is fleeting, but a Zacapa Night? That’s a moment that lingers.
Discover the Heritage Kit here.
