Drink Recipes
“It’s beautiful, it’s purple, and it’s probably the one you’ve seen the most of all over Instagram,” anticipates Tina Heschke when I arrive seeking the specialite de la maison. She’s describing the Fleur de France …
New to the neighborhood, Wormwood introduces itself as an absinthe-focused bar. After greeting me, Ben Marquart busts out a beginner’s lesson on absinthe. He decides Le Frappe is a good place to start. “It’s an …
It’s a Saturday night in University Heights, and groups of friends are pouring into Park & Rec. Busy bartender Alex Rodriguez is slinging cocktails left and right, keeping pace with the crowd as they order …
Claire Sexton Kettner Exchange 2001 Kettner Boulevard Little Italy “It’s like a Thin Mint Girl Scout cookie,” says Claire Sexton, Bar Director at Kettner Exchange, about her cocktail, the Scouts Honor. The recipe was partially …
Caroline Wilhelm The Corner Drafthouse 495 Laurel Street Banker’s Hill Drawn by twinkling lights and decorations, I duck into The Corner Drafthouse during their Christmas Pop Up, and bartender Caroline Wilhelm offers to help me …
Justin Greenwood 619 Spirits North Park 3015 Lincoln Avenue North Park A pretty candy-red cocktail adorned with a sprig of green, the Blood of the Scorpion comes served with a warning. “It’s based with our …
Anthony Belcufini Animae 969 Pacific Highway Downtown “Every single night, it’s probably the top seller,” says Anthony Belcufini about Animae’s A5 Old Fashioned. “And it ties into what we do in the back of the …
Ramon Torres Barleymash 600 Fifth Avenue #6916 Gaslamp It’s a summerlike day in the city, but my desire for festive autumnal libations rages on. Thankfully, I’m not alone in wanting to soak up the season’s …
Scott Slater Understory 12841 El Camino Real, Suite 209-210 Carmel Valley The hunt for a spooky cocktail brought me to Understory, the central bar within Sky Deck at Del Mar Highlands Town Center. Explains bartender …
Josh Blanton The Rabbit Hole 3377 Adams Avenue Normal Heights Feeling festive, I make my way down to The Rabbit Hole in Normal Heights, where they’ve curated a fall-themed drink menu. There, bartender Josh Blanton …
Danny Kuehner Madison 4622 Park Boulevard University Heights “What’s your most interesting drink?” I ask Danny Kuehner, bartender for Madison in University Heights. His answer, the Queen of Crowns, does not disappoint, in part because …
Katiee Mitchell Metl Bar Creamery & Cafe 2835 University Avenue North Park Metl Bar Creamery & Cafe may have gained a reputation as the House of Boozy Ice Cream, but I want to shake things …
YVette Lara Romesco Mexiterranean Bistro 4346 Bonita Road Bonita “The Tamarind Martini is our top selling drink,” says Yvette Lara about Romesco’s signature fusion-inspired cocktail. “It’s very tasty, because it has that spice — we …
Erick Zenteno Gaslamp Breakfast Company 551 J Street Gaslamp ”The pink is kind of our signature color here,” says Gaslamp Breakfast Company’s bartender Erick Zenteno. One glance at the restaurant’s perky pink decor and bright …
Ashley Pelletier Bub’s at the Beach 1030 Garnet Avenue Pacific Beach The cruel summer heat draws me toward Pacific Beach for a cooling drink. Open and airy, Bub’s at the Beach promises a variety of …
Alex Ramos The Smoking Gun 555 Market Street Downtown On a bustling corner of the Gaslamp Quarter, I’m chatting with The Smoking Gun’s bartender Alex Ramos, who tells me to give the Smith ‘n Wesson …