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It's a well-known fact that San Diego is the craft beer capital of the US, but did you know that our cocktail game is equally on point? We've got bars and restaurants that are making their own flavored syrups, ginger beer, bitters, shrubs and alcohol infusions. Pairing these handcrafted elements with thoughtful flavor combinations results in some seriously inventive and damn tasty cocktails. Below, I teamed up with Expedia Viewfinder to share a variety of libations from 3 hot bars and restaurants in San Diego plus a recipe for an incredible tequila cocktail.
This Inventive San Diego Cocktails list starts with a series of beautiful beverages from Zymology 21, a laboratory-themed restaurant in the heart of Downtown San Diego. I went to the grand opening of Zymology 21 last year, and I was so impressed with their cocktail program. They present intriguing flavor combinations with a real sense of showmanship. Alcoholic entertainment through modern mixology.
Since opening, Zymology 21 has mastered the art of the shrub, a fermented drinking vinegar. Flavors include carrot, ginger and grapefruit; pear and blackberry; strawberry balsamic; honey, cranberry and apple; and beet and pomegranate. These vibrant, sweet-tart blends are then mixed with an alcohol of choice (tequila pictured here). You can get a flight and try all five!
Zymology 21 is currently working on a new bitters program. All of the little bottles on the back wall (photo below) each contain a different bitter / tincture infusion. I can't wait to go back and try them out!
Here are my cocktail picks at Zymology 21:
- Calavera Catrina: Tequila, Grapefruit Ginger Carrot Shrub, Piloncillo, Habanero Bitters, Cucumber & Cilantro. This was my favorite libation. Bright, fresh with just a hint of heat. (click here for the recipe!)
- The Resurrectionist: Fords Gin, Currant Pimms, Strawberry Shrub, Lime, Cardamom Bitters, Absinthe Strawberries. A local favorite with strong berry notes and a subtle absinthe undertone. The Currant Pimms is made in-house. The strawberry garnish is soaked in absinthe then torched before topping the drink.
- Shrub Flight. 5 test tubes + 5 shrubs + 1 liquor = a flight. This is a fun way to experience all the shrubs while achieving a pleasant buzz. Incredible fire and dry ice presentation.
While you're trying out all of these fun cocktails, be sure to order one of their salad or sandwich boards. Once again, the presentation and flavors are over-the-top delicious. Next up, Sycamore Den.
Located in the hip, eclectic neighborhood of Normal Heights, Sycamore Den is serving up some of the best cocktails around San Diego. In various hues of copper and brown, this 70's themed bar is fully equipped with wood walls, stone accents, antique fixtures, leather seating, and a shotgun wall in the back. Along with a sizeable list of beer and whiskey, the Sycamore Den is known for their contemporary cocktails. They make many of their syrups in-house, including coconut, celery, ginger-cinnamon, and cinnamon-honey.
Here are my cocktail picks at the Sycamore Den:
- Holiday Highball: Apple Bandy, Lime, Ginger-Cinnamon Syrup, Soda, Whiskey Barrel-Aged Bitters. A well balanced seasonal favorite with a hint of Holiday spice. I loved the accompanying cube of crystallized ginger.
- Autumn Java: Scotch, Aged Rum, Curacao, Dark Horse Coffee, Mole Bitters. Coffee forward with plenty of warmth. Dark Horse is a local San Diego coffee roaster.
- Genever Lopez: Tequila, Genever, Lime, Celery Syrup, Serrano Tincture. My favorite of the three. Each sip is light and bright, finishing with a pleasant, vegetal heat.
Sycamore Den switches out most of their cocktails seasonally. These cooler weather drinks will be around for several more weeks.
The final cocktails on my list come from Polite Provisions also in Normal Heights. Polite Provisions is a gooooorgeous bar themed like a vintage apothecary on the corner of 30th and Adams Ave.
Their extensive cocktail list is peppered with housemade products including syrups, bitters and ginger beer. They've also got a selection of cocktails on tap (see photo below). That's right. On tap.
Here are my cocktail picks at Polite Provisions:
- Kentucky Buck: Bourbon, Fresh Lemon, Strawberry and Housemade Ginger Beer. A fresh and balanced local favorite. This cocktail takes bourbon in a completely unexpected direction.
- Tijuana Slowdance: Blanco Tequila, Blackberry and Pedro's Pomegranate Soda. On tap. The sweetest drink of the 3, but still very refreshing. An easy drinker.
- Peppermint Butler: Fernet Mentha, Creme de Cacao and Cream. Sweet, but not too sweet. A seasonal cocktail with deep notes of fresh mint. This was my favorite.
Polite Provisions doesn't serve food; however, they are attached to Soda & Swine next door. You can take your drink from Polite Provisions to Soda & Swine through a back entrance, and enjoy amazing cocktails with dinner.
Here's the recipe for the Calavera Catrina provided by Zymology 21.
Calavera Catrina
Ingredients
- ½ ripe cucumber, peeled and sliced
- 5 cilantro leaves
- 1 ½ ounces U4RIK silver tequila
- 1 ounce Carrot Grapefruit Shrub (see note below)
- ¼ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¾ ounce Contratto Blanco Vermouth
- 3 dashes Habañero Bitters
Garnishes: baby carrot with greens, cucumber slice, strip of lemon zest
Instructions
- Muddle cucumber and cilantro leaves in a cocktail shaker to release flavor and juice. Add silver tequila, shrub, lemon juice, vermouth, habañero bitters and ice. Cap the cocktail shaker and shake until well-chilled. Strain into a short tumbler filled with ice.
- Garnish with a baby carrot, cucumber slice and strip of lemon zest.
Notes
Discover more of what you can see in San Diego by exploring the Expedia Viewfinder Image Library.
I partnered with Expedia on this article. All thoughts and opinions shared in this article are my own. A big thanks to Zymology 21, Sycamore Den and Polite Provisions for hosting these cocktail experiences.
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I’m Brandon: food explorer, recipe curator, cocktail shaker, dessert lover. Kitchen Konfidence is how I document my time spent in my favorite space, the kitchen. Did you make a recipe? Tag @brandiego on Instagram so I can see the how it went!
Kristina says
this sounds fantastic.
it is a rare and awesome thing when you find an establishment that highlights and appreciates the cocktail as much as the food menu - we have a couple great places in Portland - if you ever find yourself up here, Oven and Shaker and Expatriate both have thoughtful and creative cocktails.
Brandon Matzek says
Hi Kristina, thanks for suggestion. I loooove Portland. Last time I was there, I had a few good drinks at the Whiskey Sofa Lounge.
kristy @ the wicked noodle says
I lived in San Diego while my then-fiance was getting his masters at USD; oh, how I would have loved to have had these places to visit!! Mixology is finally gaining the respect it deserves as its own craft and I love seeing these fabulous cocktail joints opening and thriving. I'm on the East coast now and I don't have access to as many of these groovy places as I would like, but you've done a spectacular job showcasing them and making me feel as if I were actually there. Your photography is as brilliant as the cocktails. Bravo.
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Kristy! You'll have to come back and visit sometime. We can grab one of these fun drinks :)!
pam (Sidewalk Shoes) says
Next time I visit San Diego, I know where I'm going! I would love it if you would link up to Tipsy Tuesday at Grey is the New Black - it's a new all-things alcohol link up every Tuesday.
Brandon Matzek says
I'll check it out. Thanks Pam!
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
How have I never been to any of these places?? And I love cocktails 🙂 We need a cocktailing date!
God these look amazing and is it wrong they look great for brunch/lunch right about now ? LOL
Brandon Matzek says
I knooow, let's do a cocktail crawl soon!
Steph @ Steph in Thyme says
This post was the burst of sunshine and fun I needed on another snowy, Boston day. I'm amazed at the mixology of these places, what a different world! Wonderful job capturing the ambiance with beautiful photos. I hope to make it out to SD one day, and I'll devote an entire day to cocktails!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Steph and stay warm!!
Debi @ Life Currents says
Your cocktail looks awesome! I love going to San Diego and trying new restaurants. Of course, that means new cocktails as well. We haven't been in a while. I think we need to go again soon!
Brandon Matzek says
Yes!! Come visit. Thanks Debi 🙂
Angela {mind-over-batter.com} says
I know where I'm headed (and where I'll be picked up from.Drunk) when I visit San Diego. Such fabulous drinks. Seeing them makes me realize I need to up my cocktail game. I have yet to venture into bitters territory. It's on my bucket list.
Brandon Matzek says
Haha yes!! These are all great spots. I've yet to make homemade bitters, but I want to after seeing Zymology's program.
Diane (Created by Diane) says
I went to Zymology just a couple weeks ago and enjoyed their test tube cocktails, what a fun place. I will have to break out the beakers and get making some drinks soon. All these drinks look delicious!
Brandon Matzek says
Glad you liked the cocktails at Zymology!
Sylvie | Gourmande in the Kitchen says
Sounds like a great place, wish they had been around when I lived in San Diego!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Sylvie. You'll have to come back for a boozy visit!
Cynthia /What A Girl Eats says
Those looks and sound fantastic! You're making me thirsty!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Cynthia :)!
Melissa Machowski says
Wow! I'm a sucker for presentation, and you just knocked me out with those beakers and test tubes! Not to mention the dry ice. I'm swooning!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Melissa! Zymology 21 does an awesome job with their presentations.
Lauren @ Wicked Spatula says
LOVE the creativity in these cocktails! Not to even mention the presentation.
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks so much Lauren!
fabiola@notjustbaked says
That place is so pretty, I love all of the wood. And the recipes are quite inventive, I am sure they were so good!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Fabiola! Yes, all three restaurants/bars have inspired design/decor as well.
Gerry @ foodnessgracious says
I want to visit every place! Nice clicks too 🙂
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Gerry :)!
Natasha says
LOVE this post!! Can't believe I haven't been to zymnology 21 yet! Definitely on my to-do list this weekend?
Brandon Matzek says
Do it!! Thanks Natasha 🙂
Sippitysup says
Sycamore Den has been on my radar for a couple of months. I just haven't made it down there yet. But I will. I will. GREG
Brandon Matzek says
Definitely check it out Greg! Such a fun vibe.
Phillip || SouthernFATTY.com says
This sounds deeeeelicious! I’m also totally scientist-y nerding out about the place.
Brandon Matzek says
So tasty!! Definitely stop by if you are ever in SD 🙂
Ivette says
Looks awesome!!!!!!!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Ivette!
heather @french press says
just another reason why I love visiting SD - next time I guess we'll have to leave the kids at home 🙂
Brandon Matzek says
Yes!! And promise them a trip to the zoo next time 🙂
pam (Sidewalk Shoes) says
What a great place!! I know this is an old post, but I would love it if you would link it up to Tipsy Tuesday at Grey is the New Black!