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| The Frostini from The Commons |
Baby, it's cold outside!! Although San Diego is known for its craft beer, there is a thriving craft cocktail scene that is growing, and restaurants all over town are getting in the holiday spirit with specialty cocktails ready to warm you up this holiday season. Check out our list of special cocktails and grab 'em while you can.
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| Sir Ruddy |
You don't have to sit through a revival of the Nutcracker to get your fill of the Sugar Plum Fairy, as Jsix restaurant at Hotel Solamar is bringing this figure to life in cocktail form. One taste of this holiday creation by Jsix Assistant Manager and cocktail engineer Lauren Lathrop Williams will leave visions dancing in your head. The Sugar Plum Fairy is made using brandy, house made plum liqueur and dry curacao and garnished with a spiced sugar rim. It is perfectly on point for the holidays with its deep, balanced flavors and sweet presentation.
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| Winter Sangria |
Leroy’s Kitchen + Lounge offers some Diwali Punch. Diwali, or “festival of lights,” is a Hindu celebration during which family and friends come together to share good tidings. Inspired by this occasion and the spirit of Christmas, bar manager Emily Tracy created the Diwali Punch, a shareable beverage made using Pink Pigeon Rum, Grand Marnier, amaretto, fresh lime, pomegranate juice, fresh ginger, cinnamon and sliced oranges. This warm spiked punch is truly a cup of good cheer.
‘Tis the season to bundle up and get cozy with loved ones. The chill in the air also makes us crave cold weather treats, so Pacifica Del Mar developed the S’more Sea Salt, a decadent cocktail made using Three Olives S’mores vodka, tres leches liqueur, chocolate and a sea salt-graham cracker rim. This riff on the fireside classic will leave you wanting s’more.
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| The Gingerbread Man |
Downtown's newest watering hole, The Commons is getting in the holiday spirit with three holiday elixirs perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth. The Frostini is made with Rumple Minze shnapps, Irish cream, crème de menthe, a splash of grenadine and garnished with a fresh mint leaf. The Peppermint Froth contains Svedka vodka, peppermint schnapps, simple syrup, a splash of cream and a candy cane adornment. Lastly, the Caramel Apple Martini includes apple schnapps, butterscotch schnapps, a splash of cream and is served with a green apple slice on top.
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| Cider Smash |
A sophisticated take on a typical spiked cider drink, George’s California Modern's Mixologist Frankie Thaheld has created a standout seasonal cocktail. The Lodge Cider combines house infused vanilla vodka, Lemorton Calvados, Bundaberg ginger beer, lemon, vanilla and mace, for a refreshing burst of flavor accompanied by warm winter notes from the classic holiday spice, mace.
Among an impressive list of incomparable specialty cocktails by Katsuya by Starck San Diego is the Evergreen Fizz. The perfect holiday sipper, the Evergreen Fizz includes muddled rosemary, Oxley Gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, Moscato float and is garnished with Rosemary and a sugared rim.
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| Sugar Pumpkin Collins |
The elegant Pony Room of the recently renovated Rancho Valencia is putting the happy in the holidays with four special holiday cocktails. The rightfully titled Jolly Holiday is made with Allspice liqueur, fresh squeezed orange juice, mint leaves, agave nectar, and is served on the rocks with an orange garnish. The Yorkie has Godiva Chocolate liqueur and Rumplemintze in the mix, and is served chilled in a martini glass with a chocolate swirl. The Spiked Pumpkin includes Crown Royal Maple, Allspice Dram, cheesecake and caramel syrup, and is served in a martini glass with a strudel crumb rim. The Winter Warmer boasts house made mulled cider with a choice of Allspice liqueur, spiced rum, or brandy, and is served in a footed coffee mug.
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| The Douglas Collins |
While the mixologists at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina may not be too familiar with roofs, they certainly know a thing or two about roots – liqueur that is. The Up on the Root Top cocktail is made with RumChata Cream Liqueur and root liqueur before and is topped off with a dusting of pumpkin pie spice.
Located in the downtown Gaslamp district, Whiskey Girl is turning up the holiday heat with Jake’s Warm Whiskey Cider. It’s the perfect blend of Spicebox Canadian Spiced Whiskey, apple schnapps and cinnamon, completed with a brown sugared rim.
Be sure to stay safe this holiday season and make sure not to drink and drive!
