8 Must-Sip San Diego Summer Cocktails
Whether enjoying happy hour or cooling off after a day at the beach, nothing tastes like summer more than a fresh lineup of libations. Enjoy a classic or experiment with new flavors from our roundup of summer cocktails in San Diego.
Bleu Boheme
The French restaurant has just released two new cocktails to fight off the June gloom. The “Solei Sangria offers a sweet mixture of seasonal stone fruit in a strawberry rose and the Bleumiere” brings a fresh mix of peach puree, Knob Creek bourbon, lemon juice and a splash of ginger liqueur. Just in time for Comic-Con, they’ve also launched the “Le Peregrine Punch” with bourbon, bitters, absinth rinse, pomegranate juice, a sugar cube and orange peel. 4090 Adams Ave., Kensington, 619.255.4167. bleuboheme.com
The Hake Kitchen & Bar
The La Jolla restaurant is known for its carefully curated cocktail menu designed by Joan Villanueva. Pulling inspirations from exotic destinations, his fanciful creations have both fun ingredients and titles. “Tea with Mr. Tumnus” (a character from The Chronicles of Narnia books) contains pisco porton, elderberry balsamic and roasted pineapple reduction. Other standouts include the “Carioca” (Brazil-inspired) with pitu cachaca, lime juice and frozen grape cubes, the “Shot in the Dark” with ancho reyes chili liqueur, creme de cacao, cointreau and fernet branca, and the “Grand 5 Masts” (winner of the Grand Marnier’s Grand Masters Competition) with malahat spiced rum, malahat ginger rum, grand marnier and lime. 1250 Prospect St. B10, La Jolla, 858.454.1637. thehake.com
Backyard Kitchen & Tap
Catch a couple waves then head into Backyard Kitchen & Tap in the heart of Pacific Beach where the San Diego spirit is reflected in everything from beach photos covering the walls to the casual yet chic decor, outdoor cabanas and fire pits. No need for an umbrella for garnish. Instead, reach for a “Sexy Thyme” with Russian standard vodka, fresh lemonade, thyme, tropical red bull, lemon and thyme garnish or opt for the “Backyard Smash” with Dickel rye, mint syrup, sasparilla bitters and mint leaves. 832 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach, 858.859.2593. backyardpb.com
Counterpoint
From crafting its own bitters through an old-school six-week process, house-made tonic water and vermouth, Counterpoint’s beverage program has grown into one of the most progress in the city. Bartender Ryan Andrews has launched several new creations including the “Son of a Bee Sting” showcasing gin, lemon, honey, ginger and orange blossom water, the “Centennial Manhattan” with Rittenhouse rye, cognac, Luxardo and house root beer bitters and the “Southwestern Sling” with Old Harbor gin, green chartreuse, muddled cucumber, lime and agave. 830 25th St. #100, Golden Hill, 619.564.6722. counterpointsd.com
Draft Mission Beach
Explore flavors from around the world without leaving the beaches of San Diego, while sipping on Draft’s new lineup of summer cocktails. The oceanfront bar offers the perfect locale for a staycation afternoon watching the waves. “Paloma’s Travels” blends Fortaleza reposado tequila with fresh lime, agave, egg white, serrano pepper, grapefruit bitters and grapefruit ale for a crisp and refreshing profile, while those looking for a more tropical experience can taste the “Island Lush” with Bulldog Gin, St. Germain Elderflower, lime, kiwi puree and simple syrup. 3105 Ocean Front Walk, Mission Beach, 858.228.9305. belmontpark.com
Bankers Hill Bar + Restaurant
In honor of the upcoming Comic-Con celebrations, Bankers Hill is now offering their Game of Thrones inspired cocktail, “Let Drogons be Drogons”. The smoky flavors and fiery red colors of Queen Daenerys’ most powerful dragon, Drogon will be replicated with Cocchi Rosa, China-China, lemon and grapefruit. Also making an appearance on the summer cocktail menu are the “Balboa Constrictor” with white rum, maraschino liqueur, ancho chili liqueur, lemon juice, grapefruit olio and mint, as well as the “Stay Classy” with bourbon, Averna, allspice dram and black walnut whip. 2202 4th Ave., Park West, 619.231.0222. bankershillsd.com
Park & Rec
For a taste of summer in a backyard setting, head to the newly opened Park & Rec. Guests can choose ping pong, shuffleboard or darts to engage their friends in a little competition, while sipping on the popular bar’s unique cocktails. “Tony’s Margarita” puts a spin on the classic with cucumber-infused tequila, lime, housemade curaçao and chili-salt rim while the signature “P&R Old Fashioned” combines bourbon, brown sugar and chocolate spiced orange bitters. 4612 Park Blvd. 619.795.9700. parkandrecsd.com
Polite Provisions
Polite Provisions has a knack for creativity in its cocktails as well as their respective names. Try the “Tijuana Slowdance” with blanco tequila, blackberry and pomegranate soda, or the “Island Fever” with Demerara rum, Fernet Branca, fresh lime and falernum. If sitting back and relaxing isn’t your game, learn how to craft your owns cocktails at Polite Provisions’ Spirit Society Cocktail Classes. July 27 the bar will be offering the Daiquiri Examined: Rum & Sugarcane Spirits. See website for more details. 4696 30th St., North Park, 619.677.3784. politeprovisions.com
