Fall Off the Wagon with Seasonal San Diego Cocktails at These Ten Locations

November 25, 2014

As late journalist and author Jim Bishop once said, “Autumn carries more gold in its pocket than all the other seasons.” Nothing warms you up and welcomes the chilly season like a good fall cocktail. With a cozy scarf around your neck and one of these locally crafted elixirs in hand, you’ll have to agree. Check out our list of seasonal cocktails from these 10 San Diego locations.

Imagine the crisp, autumn days from your childhood- jumping in piles of leaves and sipping steamy hot cocoa topped with whipped cream. Air Conditioned Lounge’s seasonal cocktail selection is nostalgia all grown up and poured over ice. The Caramel Apple Mule is equal parts Van Gogh Wild Apel Vodka and Van Gogh Dutch Caramel Vodka with splashes of cranberry juice and Cock ‘n Bull Ginger Beer.

West Coast's Nightmare Before Christmas Cocktail

At West Coast Tavern, get festive with their seasonal cocktail menu. The Nightmare Before Christmas, with old forester bourbon, fernet branca, lime and luxardo cherry juice is the perfect crisp-weather cocktail, Jack Skellington not included.

As leaves crunch and the air gets chillier, warm up with a cocktail by the fire pit at Level 9 at Hotel Indigo in downtown San Diego. Sip on the San Diego Sunset, with house-infused Svedka Clementine vodka, blood oranges, green apple and cranberries. It’s sure to leave you longing for snowfall and moonlight.

The holidays are meant to be shared, and what better treasure to share with your friends than a fishbowl cocktail from Uptown Tavern? Order The Vineyard, with Skyy raspberry vodka, mixed berries, peach schnapps, cranberry juice and red bull, for yourself or turn it into an oversized, shareable cocktail. Sharing is fun, but want a little something sweet? Try the caramel apple martini with vodka, butterscotch liqueur and apple liqueur for a twist on the childhood treat.

With good friends and tantalizing libations to keep us warm, we welcome the cold weather at barleymash. The Gentleman’s Cocoa Julep, where Gentleman Jack Whiskey-cocoa nib infusion mingles with mint, is sure to melt the frost on your fingertips. 

Relax within earshot of the Pacific and enjoy stellar views from the patio at Prospect Bar and Grill in La Jolla. Wrap yourself in a scarf and order the Old Fashion here. The cocktail, made with Buffalo Trace whiskey, Angostura biter-infused sugar cubes, which are then broken up and pressed, evokes a sense of the season.

The Duck Dive, the bittersweet end of summer and the beginning of fall is celebrated the right way-with friends nearby and drinks in hand. The Dive’s Fall 2014 cocktail of choice is the San Diego Tea Party. Party attendees include Grey Goose vodka house-infused with fresh Fuji apples, cinnamon and clove, black tea and agave. During Happy Hour every Monday through Friday from 3 to 6pm, indulge in autumnal spirits such as the Irish Mule with Jameson’s Irish Whiskey, bitters and ginger beer. The classic Mule takes a potent turn with the Black and Stormy, concocted with Black Magic spiced rum, lime and ginger.

Sycamore Den has recently launched a new, seasonal cocktail menu. New specialty cocktails include the Sext on the Beach (Gin, Orchard Peach, Lime, Fresh OJ, Simple Syrup, Soda, Cranberry) and two takes on the Manhattan- Eastern Outlaw (Bourbon, Amaretto, House Vermouth, Angostura Bitters, Maraschino Cherry) and The Kingson Quarter (Jamaican Rum, Apple Brandy, House Vermouth, Falernum, Angostura-Allspice Bitters).

Mister A’s is shaking things up this holiday season with the introduction of a new cocktail menu. Showcasing seasonal flavors and ingredients, the new menu features an array of festive cocktails like the Port of Call, made with Jameson, Tawny 10 Year Port, rosemary syrup and fresh lime.

You may have already heard whisperings of the new cocktail program at The Patio on Goldfinch. Resident Tequila and craft cocktail expert Chris Simmons has been saving up a delicious drink surprise that is finally ready to be unveiled. Under his tutelage, the restaurant has stored their top-tier spirits in barrels for several months in order to craft an entirely new and exciting menu of aged craft-cocktails. Simmons has combined old-world aging techniques with new era fresh flavors to create a variety of spirits that will be sure to please even the most discerning taster.