Fresh New Cocktail Benefits Florida Waterways

Two popular Fort Myers based restaurants are known for giving back. One way is through their cocktail program and they are striking again. This fresh new cocktail benefits Florida waterways and it's this week's Fabulous Find.

The drink was created by the team at Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille and Dixie Fish Co. The beneficiary is Captain's For Clean Water.

Captains For Clean Water is a grassroots nonprofit that was founded in 2016 by fishing guides who were concerned about the state's water management. Specifically, the water discharged from Lake Okeechobee to the Caloosahatchee and into the Gulf of Mexico.

The practice is said to be one of the culprits behind the blue-green algae and red tide that kills fish, causes allergies in humans and impacts tourism. No one wants to vacation where there is foul water and it damages are fragile eco system.

The new cocktail is called Send It South and it is described as "refreshing." I have not tried it yet but it sounds accurate. The base of the drink is mango rum and silver rum. Next, there is Blue Curaçao, pineapple and soda water.

$1 of each Send It South sold goes to the nonprofit organization’s mission of restoring and protecting Florida waters.

Dixie and Doc Ford's are owned by HM Restaurant Group which has sponsored a number of projects benefiting local communities. One is the Hospital Drinks. This one earmarks $1 from select drinks at Doc Ford’s to Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida and All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg.

The program has raised over $123,000 since its inception. Now it's Captain's For Clean Water turn.

Send it South is available at Dixie Fish Company on Fort Myers Beach and Doc Ford’s four locations on Sanibel Island, Fort Myers Beach, the St. Petersburg Pier and Jungle Terrace in St. Petersburg.

There is always something new happening in the Southwest Florida restaurant scene. I love seeing all of the growth and the variety of cuisines being offered in our area. I often go to the ribbon cuttings like this one. A new Naples Latin fusion restaurant celebrates its grand opening, and I can't wait to go back.

Unidos Latin Kitchen And Bar is on Tamiami Trail in downtown Naples, technically the Design District. Part of the building was a former Starbucks. Owners also took over the neighboring space to create a cool retro vibe. The exposed ceiling is full of sound proofing and the seating banquets remind me of a deco diner in Miami.

The restaurant actually opened its doors in January. However, with the busy winter tourist season and trying to get operations moving smoothly, the grand opening was pushed back. The mayor, the media, and other dignitaries were on hand for the official ribbon cutting, Friday.

Unidos has a menu full of drinks and dishes inspired from numerous South and Central American countries from Peru and Argentina to Cuba and Mexico. You'll find fish tacos, ropa vieja, empanadas, ceviche, churros, afajores and lots more.

The restaurant has a mesmerizing Wood grill to more easily cook Argentinean style meats. Grab a seat at the Ceviche Bar and you get a bird's eye view of the action. There is also an indoor/outdoor bar seating area, along with a traditional bar when you first enter.

A variety of rums and tequilas stock the bar shelves. The signature El Jefe Margarita is sweetened up with Nixta corn-based liqueur. Other Latin faves include Pisco Sour, Caipirinha, Mojito and more. The wine list covers a lot of ground, but is heavy on selections from Argentina, Chile, Spain and Portugal.

Bruch is served on both Saturday and Sunday. Click here for a short video from the event. Finally, here are a few pictures from the official grand opening of Unidos, a new Naples Latin fusion restaurant.