San Diego’s newest mezcal bar and tasting room opens to the public at 5 p.m. tonight. Tahona is located next door to the historic Cemetery of El Campo Santo in Old Town, a burial ground and historic landmark where 477 bodies were laid to rest beginning in 1849. Tahona’s founders are on a mission to bring mezcal to the masses through a tasting room featuring 120+ varieties of the agave-based spirit where guests can experience flights and mezcal education. The tasting room also boasts a retail license, meaning guests can bring home a bottle. Notably, Tahona’s opening marks San Diego becoming home to one of the country’s few proper mezcal tasting rooms.
Tahona is first and foremost a cocktail bar, with a sophisticated drink program directed by the talented Carlo Bracci Devoti and Blair Marano, the latter Vice President of the United States Bartenders Guild. Inspired by Mexican culture and traditions, a sampling of Tahona’s creative cocktails include:
- Whaley House Punch (mezcal, lime, pineapple, salted watermelon, Campari and finished with a spritz of absinthe)
- Avo Tropical (Paranubes Oaxacan rum, house made triple sec, avocado seed orgeat, lemon juice, orange juice, mint and orange garnish)
- Bien Picado (mezcal, lime, roasted watermelon juice, mole grenadine, ginger, serrano bitters)
- Campo Santo (tequila, lime, passion fruit, Cointreau, agave syrup, coconut water)
- Mezcal Frozen Pina Colada (served in an exclusive colorful glass, this slushy style drink uses fresh coconut for flavor)
Tahona serves a menu of modern Mexican cuisine with Oaxacan influence including gourmet tacos like Pork Belly Quemado (seared pork belly, mole negro, habanero pickled, onions, smoked apple puree, and cilantro crema), a Tres Moles tasting flight, Baja favorites like Scallops Aguachile and Pulpo Negro and indulgent house-made desserts including Churro S’mores served with a side of chocolate ganache and a lightly charred marshmallow fluff. Full menu available for viewing.Keep your eye on Tahona for upcoming events. Founder Amar Harrag is deeply involved in giving back to the community from which mezcal originates and is the founder of the San Diego chapter of Corazon de Vida, a 501C3 nonprofit on a mission to support orphaned and abandoned children throughout Mexico (tonight’s opening benefits this cause). Future events will include mezcal meditations, mezcal painting, spoken word nights and mezcal-centric group travel to Baja and Oaxaca.
Tahona is located at 2414 San Diego Avenue and open daily from 5 p.m. to midnight. Visit www.tahonabar.com and follow along on Instagram at @tahonamezcal.
