With spring right around the corner, and a promising uptick in Covid vaccinations, it seems we may all have something to celebrate very soon! With that in mind, several San Diego eateries have debuted spring cocktails, perfect for toasting to extra sunshine, the start of a new season, and better days ahead.
Puesto Mexican Artisan Kitchen & Bar, La Jolla, Mission Valley, and Seaport Village
While jetting off on a tropical vacation is still not a reality for most people this spring and summer, Puesto is transporting guests to the tropics with their Bird of Paradise cocktail. Fresh off of Puesto’s newly launched spring menu, the Bird of Paradise combines Espolon Blanco Tequila, Campari, Grand Marnier, Pineapple, and Lime for a refreshing, fruit-forward cocktail. Crafted by Beau du Bois, Puesto’s Bar & Spirits Creative Director (formerly of The Restaurant at Meadowood, Ensue, and Corner Door LA,) a recipe for Puesto’s Bird of Paradise can be found below.
Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa, La Jolla
Guests and diners at the gorgeous hotel property can enjoy specialty cocktails such as the Gratitude & Gin made with You & Yours Sunday Gin, lime juice, lemongrass simple syrup, celery bitters and garnished with a shiso bouquet or Ray of Sun, a blend of You & Yours Summer Citrus Vodka, lemon, simple syrup, kumquat, fresh ginger and turmeric, where $1 of every cocktail purchased will be donated to Olivewood Gardens, a local gardens and learning center in honor of Earth Day. Additionally, the property will have a Gratitude Garden where visitors can write down what they are grateful for on seed paper and plant it in their gratitude garden, while sipping on these festive spring cocktails.
Raised By Wolves, La Jolla
Cocktails created by the team at Raised By Wolves always make our libation adventures a bit more exciting, and with tons of new spring cocktails, we’ve got multiple reservations booked to make our way through the menu. At the top of the list are the Bidi Bidi Bom Bom made with local strawberries, blanco tequila, aperol aperitivo, habanero, lime and a top secret spice mix, this cocktail is an irresistible spin on a margarita, and the Sundress, an unreasonably refreshing cocktail that includes vodka, Thai basil eau de vie, dry vermouth, pandan, lime and seltzer. Raised by Wolves is open for reservations only and seating is limited so plan ahead.
The Presley, Liberty Station
To welcome spring, The Presley, located in Liberty Station, introduced four new cocktails to their menu, including the Sausalito Spritz, a sweet take on the classic Aperol spritz. Made with strawberry infused Aperol, lemon, and champagne, the Sausalito Spritz is the perfect libation to sip while enjoying the sunshine on The Presley’s expansive outdoor patio. In addition to the new cocktail offerings, starting April 1, The Presley is also introducing a happy hour from 3pm to 6pm, Wednesday to Friday, and is expanding its opening hours to include Wednesday from 11am to 10pm.
Communal, North Park
Sweet Mint Cold Brew, Iced Cherry Blossom Matcha, Strawberry Mint Sparkling Lemonade…cold, refreshing drinks are abound at San Diego’s favorite destination all-day cafe, Communal, which recently launched a new spring cocktail menu featuring fun and tasty drinks, including boozy beverages to linger over anytime of day. The Sparkling Sangria, is available in both red and white varieties and is served with seasonal fruit for a spring-worthy sipper. The white wine version is especially refreshing for warmer temps and is made with natural white wine from Amy Atwood wines, fresh orange juice, lime and strawberries.
Rusticucina, Hillcrest
Italian vacation vibes and plenty of space on their outdoor patio make farm-to-neighborhood eatery Rusticucina in Hillcrest an ideal location to imbibe in newly crafted spring cocktails while enjoying the Scilian inspired menu. Made with the classic Italian liqueur limoncello, the Lemontini is made with pear vodka, limoncello, sweet and sour and a float of prosecco to tickle your tastebuds and set your sights on a brighter spring. The restaurant offers brunch and dinner, so no matter the time of day Italy is just a few minutes away.
Underbelly, Little Italy
As restaurant restrictions continue to ease, Underbelly in Little Italy is excited to introduce Happy Hour from 3pm to 5pm Monday through Friday. The Happy Hour menu introduces a variety of tasty bites, such as Kimchi Wings and Ramen Nachos, and also features a variety of slushie cocktails that are the perfect springtime treat as the weather heats up again. Slushie options include the Calpikachu Slushee, made with Peach Nectar, Calpico, Lemon, and Tito’s Vodka, and the Ube Slushee, made with Pineapple, Coconut, Ube, and Light Rum, both of which can be scored for just $5 during Happy Hour (and $10 regularly!)
Garibaldi, Downtown
For those looking to enjoy an evening out while cutting back on the cocktails, Garibaldi, located within the InterContinental San Diego, offers the perfect solution with their Little Giuseppe mocktail. Best enjoyed on Garibaldi’s rooftop patio, which offers sweeping views of the bay, the Little Giuseppe combines non-alcoholic Seedlip, Prickly Pear, Myrtle, Lime, and Bubbles for a refreshing spring sip. Anyone looking to indulge further can also choose from Garibaldi’s full cocktail menu, a selection of beers, and an expansive wine and spirit list.
La Puerta, Gaslamp
