Nothing But The Best, Naturally

Nestled inside Downtown Miami’s historic Ingraham building, this cozy venue serves as a refuge to the hustle and bustle of modern-day life.

Created by the Bar Lab Hospitality (responsible for hits like The Broken Shaker and 27 Restaurant), Margot Natural Wine Bar is the ideal spot to reboot while enjoying globally sourced, natural wines and cocktails paired with bar bites like Baby Gem Lettuce With Charred Eggplant, Radish And Pinenut Crumble, Proscuitto and Aged Balsamic or the Grilled Cheese, created by celebrated chef Hedy Goldsmith. Bar Lab Hospitality’s Beverage Director Christine Wiseman knows all too well the power of a great drink and a restorative space. Since joining the Bar Lab Hospitality team, she’s been recognized as a semi-finalist for American Bartender of The Year (2018 and 2019, Spirited Award), finalist for American Bartender of the Year 2020 and 2022 and as an Imbibe magazine’s 75 Person to Watch for 2023. We caught up with her for a chat.

Q&A

Why bartending? 

Bartending started off as a necessity, something to do just as a job. Then I fell in love with it so much. It was such a different outlet for my creativity, and it is the most fun job in the world!

Favorite quote? 

“A Wiseman once said...” (My last name is Wiseman!)

You can design your own cocktail napkin – what would it be or what would it say?

“Be Kind!” Or, “put your gum here.”

I love South Florida because…?

The beach! It’s a source of inspiration, meditation and relaxation for me!

What makes Margot Natural Wine Bar stand out above the rest? 

It is so cozy and intimate. Mari, our sommelier, has an amazing palate and is always purchasing the best wines with a wide range of variety, so there is something for everyone.

Cocktail trend everyone should try at least once? 

Milk Punch.

Best piece of advice you ever got?

Let go of your ego.

Favorite/best bar music? 

Rock ‘n’ roll, babyyyyy and 90’s hip hop — nothing gets a room going more than this!

Best bar snack? 

Margot’s Grilled Cheese — made with Gruyère, White Cheddar and Sourdough.

Who, living or not, would you want to make a drink for?

Why?  

I have a mile-long list of all the musicians and athletes I would love the chance to talk to about the life they have lived, but at the end of the day what would fulfill me the most would be to make drinks for the friends who have become my family that I don’t get to see as often as I would like.

Pretty Reckless

SERVES 1

Ingredients:

2 oz. Palm Rose

1 oz. Martini & Rossi® Riserva Speciale Ambrato

1 oz. calamansi juice

½ oz. guava puree

½ oz. lime juice

Instructions:

Combine ingredients in tin and lightly shake and strain into wine glass, top with fresh ice. Garnish with edible flower and citrus slice.