A summer Saturday in Miami is always going to draw crowds, but this time, the would-be beachgoers stopped short of the sand, called by the lure of another siren song. An energizing Juanes hit thumped through a speaker as excited chatter from a pastel-bedecked crowd drifted down the block. The epicenter of it all: Miami’s Design District. Following the noise, passersby found themselves face-to-face with a lively outdoor scene beckoning from the district’s hidden gem, the tree-dotted Sweet Bird North patio. With nary a storm cloud in sight, lightning nevertheless struck twice: Zacapa Rum and Agua by Agua Bendita were back in the city for another round of celebrating the Latin American brands’ heritage-fueled collaboration.
Sweet Bird North was replete with vibrantly decorated vehicles and elegant floral arrangements, channeling the traditions, sights, and spectacle of the communities that fuel both brands. A Yipao topped with monstera, cream-colored orchids, and barrels of premium Zacapa rum flanked one side of the space, transporting guests to the streets of Colombia during a colorful parade of the country’s iconic Willys jeeps. It made for an irresistible photo opportunity. Influencers like Orianna Polanco, Glency Feliz, and other Miami mainstays posed by the cheerful Yipao jeep—a beloved symbol of Colombia’s agricultural industry—noting how its floral design perfectly resembles the embroidered blooms on the Agua by Agua Bendita bag from the collaboration collection.
Under the sizzling Florida sun, refreshment was a must. The sight of the Yipaos reminded attendees of how the cars transport coffee beans for miles in Colombia, bringing far-reaching, authentic flavors to the world’s morning brew. Thankfully, Zacapa and Agua by Agua Bendita came in clutch with a dazzling beverage trailer, serving coffee and cocktails that were almost too pretty to drink. Guests were quick to form a line when the cart opened. Soon, each tastemaker had a glass in hand to savor as they mingled, perked up by a cold brew or mesmerized by the glimmers of gold leaf in their Zacapa XO Espresso Martinis.
The collection at the heart of the high-spirited pop-up had the crowd buzzing, because who wouldn’t want to take a taste of the experience home with them? Miami-based devotees of the two powerhouses had the chance to enter a raffle to win a Zacapa x Agua by Agua Bendita Heritage Kit. Featuring authentic details like floral embroidery and petate weaving done by Colombian and Guatemalan artisans, the bespoke kit symbolizes the culture and spirit of Latin America and its close-knit communities.
While you couldn’t bottle up the immaculate vibes that permeated the Design District that evening, owning the kit would be a suitable next-best-thing. In a whirl of sweet coffee, extravagant florals, the iconic Yipao, and steadily thrumming reggaeton bops of yesteryear, Miami’s trendiest enjoyed an oasis away from surf and sand. The sun dipped and the stars sparkled overhead as the glitterati danced the evening away—a perfect send-off for a collaboration inspired by joyful nights just like these.
Click here to discover the Zacapa x Agua by Agua Bendita Heritage Kit!
