The Pursuit Of Happiness

Mixologist Shauna O’Neil has worked at neighborhood favorites like Clarke’s Miami Beach, handled crazy amounts of tequila at Bodega Taqueria y Tequila in South Beach, and has perfected her skills at Sweet Liberty, the South Beach bar co-owned by John Lermayer before his untimely death in 2018.

She credits Lermayer — considered by many to have singlehandedly elevated Miami’s cocktail scene — as the best mentor she could ever have. O’Neil is clearly a star in her own right, having won multiple accolades and awards, including the coveted nomination as top 10 bartenders in the U.S. by Tales of the Cocktail. She also holds the esteemed Bar 5 certification, one of the highest honors in the bar world. We sought out worthy insight from one of Miami’s best.

Q&A

In one sentence, tell us what makes Sweet Liberty so special?

Their mantra says it all: “Pursue Happiness.” This was so important to our founder, the late, great John Lermayer, and it is woven into everything we do and everything that we create at Sweet Liberty.

Why bartending?

I love interacting with people. There is something really special about getting to know our customers and creating a drink especially for them. A great drink and friendly service can be the difference between a good night and a great night. 

Favorite quote?

“Respect the shift. Do good work. Pursue happiness.” – John Lermayer

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

It would be environmentally friendly, and it would say “Be the change you wish to see in the world. Change starts with you.”

Drink everyone needs to know, and why?

Tommy’s Margarita because it’s the best margarita and it’s made exactly the way a margarita should be made! If you only learn how to make one drink, it should be this one. 

Bar trend you’d wish would fizzle out and why?

The pretentiousness of taking the fun out or alcohol. Alcohol  is supposed to be fun and engaging — once you take the fun out of it, I want nothing to do with it! Alcohol should not be serious.  

Best piece of advice you ever got?

It’s not your fault, but it is your problem.

This is our Food & Drink issue, tell us what makes the food served at Sweet Liberty as special as the drinks.

Sweet Liberty is one of the few bars with such elevated food.  The menu was curated by the much-loved James Beard Award winning chef, Michelle Bernstein where she serves her legendary Michy’s Fried Chicken Sandwich and Cauliflower Nachos. Michelle is a rock star and everything she touches turns to gold. Paired with our cocktail program, there’s just nothing like it. 

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

John Lermayer, because he passed before I started to feel confident in my skills. If I could impress John, I’d know I’ve made it.

OUR PIÑA COLADA BY SWEET LIBERTY

Ingredients:

½  oz. House Rum Blend (50% Cruzan Coconut Rum,

     25% Bacardi Cuatro, 25% Stolen Coffee and Cigarette Rum)

1 oz. pineapple

3 oz. coconut cream 

2 coffee beans 

1 pineapple chunk 

1 large scoop of crushed ice

Float Pedro Ximenez Sherry 

Instructions:

Blend ingredients minus Pedro Ximenez Sherry until ice is crushed and desired consistency is reached. Pour cocktail into glass, add Pedro Ximenez Sherry float, garnish with a mint sprig, red cherry and parasol.