Thirsty Thursday: Fun With Finlandia Vodka & Hector Acevedo at South Beach Seafood Festival

Photo Credit: @52chefs /Anthony Nader

South Beach Seafood Festival is just a few weeks away! It’s the 6th year of the festival celebrating all things seafood. On the sands of South Beach’s Lummus Park you can feast on enjoy cafes from Joe's Stone Crab Restaurant, Naked Taco, Red, the Steakhouse - South Beache, The Lobster SHACK, Poseidon Greek Restaurant & Outdoor Lounge, Truluck's, Lobster Bar Sea Grille Miami Beach, Stiltsville Fish Bar. There’s five blocks of food and fun!

But let’s talk about the good stuff —

The cocktails included in the price of the ticket! This year Finlandia vodka will be bringing out some of Miami’s best bartenders to show off a little of their flair and cocktail making skills.

We’re sitting down with each of the featured bartenders to learn a little more about them and what we can expect to find them making at South Beach Seafood Festival 2018.

First up — Hector Acevedo:

Hector started working as a bartender on his native island of Puerto Rico, and eventually made his way to Miami after falling in love with the hospitality industry. Always adding an island flair, Hector is one of the most decorated bartenders in the United States. He's was Director of Beverage for the Fontainebleau Miami Beach, where he helped develop the beverage program for Chef Michael Mina's Stripsteak. After 18 years in the business, Hector decided it was time to go out on this own and formed the Cocktail Cartel, a beverage consulting company; developing cocktail programs for bars and restaurants all over Miami. Today, Hector is also a partner in Spanglish Craft Cocktail Bar + Kitchen that’s slated to open in late 2019 in Coconut Grove.

How did you get your start in bartending? 

I guess you can call it fate. Back in 2000, I bartended in a chill surfing town in Puerto Rico called Rincon to pay my way through college. I fell in love with the industry,  it opened so many doors for me. I've traveled the world, met great people, and I haven't looked back since. 

Where do you work currently? 

Partner of Spanglish Craft Cocktail Bar + Kitchen which is set to open next year in Coconut Grove and I’m co-founder of Cocktail Cartel Co which is a beverage consulting and event company.

What’s your favorite way to serve Finlandia vodka?

In a refreshing tea based punch.

Any personal favorite cocktail? 

With Finlandia, I like to keep it classic with something like a vodka gimlet!

Fun fact about you: 

I cried watching the movie Free Willy, TWICE.

Make sure to grab your South Beach Seafood Festival tickets! We’d love to see you on the sand with a Finlandia vodka drink in your hand! Use our code: FINLANDIA20 for 20% off you tickets. Did we mention all alcohol is included in the price of the ticket? It’s a great deal!