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    Home / Recipes / Ingredient / Alcohol

    2 Feb 19, 2015 Alcohol  |   Jump to Recipe

    Inventive San Diego Cocktails [with recipe!]

    Zymology 21 Cocktails

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    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.

    Zymology 21

    Zymology 21 Cocktails

    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!

    Zymology Bartender

    Zymology Shrubs

    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.

    Sycamore1

    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.

    Sycamore Den Cocktails

    Sycamore Den Garnishes

    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.

    Sycamore Den Bartender

    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.

    Polite Provisions

    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.

    Polite Provisions

    Peppermint Butler

    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.

    Kentucky Buck

    Polite Provisions Bartender

    Polite Provisions Bitters

    Tijuana Slowdance

    Here’s the recipe for the Calavera Catrina provided by Zymology 21.

    Calavera Catrina

    Calavera Catrina

    by Brandon Matzek
    Recipe provided by Zymology 21. I have not personally tested this recipe.
    No ratings yet
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Servings 1 cocktail

    Ingredients
      

    • 1/2 ripe cucumber, peeled and sliced
    • 5 cilantro leaves
    • 1 1/2 ounces U4RIK silver tequila
    • 1 ounce Carrot Grapefruit Shrub (see note below)
    • 1/4 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
    • 3/4 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

      The Zymology 21 team provided me with a very loose recipe for making the Carrot Grapefruit Shrub. This process is best done to taste, so specific ingredient amounts really aren't needed. The finished shrub should have a nice sweet-tart balance with notes of carrot and grapefruit. Here's notes from Louis Chavez, Zymology 21's head mixologist:
      Peel equal parts ripe grapefruit and orange, completely removing the pith. Cube or thinly slice all fruit, and place in a large jar or bowl. Coat fruit with sugar and let sit loosely covered for a few days. Check, taste, and stir the fruit each day (bubbles are okay, it means it's fermenting a little). Keep adding a little sugar each day. Next, make the vinegar syrup: equal parts champagne vinegar and sugar. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Add vinegar syrup to the shrub. Stir until all sugar on the fruit is dissolved. If sugar remains, add a touch of vinegar until it is liquid. Juice an equal amount of carrots, then stir in the fruit-vinegar mixture. Pour the shrub through a fine strainer, pressing on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Taste and bottle. Adjust the flavor by adding more sugar, vinegar, or freshly squeezed juice to taste.
      Tried this recipe?Tag @brandiego on Instagram so I can check it out!

      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.

      2
      Brandon and Federico
      Brandon

      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!

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      Categories: Alcohol Tags: carrot, cilantro, cucumber, ginger, grapefruit, habanero bitters, lemon, orange, tequila, vermouth

      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Kristina says

        February 19, 2015 at 7:42 am

        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.

        Reply
        • Brandon Matzek says

          March 2, 2015 at 3:29 pm

          Hi Kristina, thanks for suggestion. I loooove Portland. Last time I was there, I had a few good drinks at the Whiskey Sofa Lounge.

          Reply
      2. kristy @ the wicked noodle says

        February 19, 2015 at 8:52 am

        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.

        Reply
        • Brandon Matzek says

          March 2, 2015 at 3:28 pm

          Thanks Kristy! You’ll have to come back and visit sometime. We can grab one of these fun drinks :)!

          Reply
      3. pam (Sidewalk Shoes) says

        February 19, 2015 at 10:18 am

        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.

        Reply
        • Brandon Matzek says

          March 2, 2015 at 3:27 pm

          I’ll check it out. Thanks Pam!

          Reply
      4. Averie @ Averie Cooks says

        February 19, 2015 at 10:58 am

        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

        Reply
        • Brandon Matzek says

          March 2, 2015 at 3:26 pm

          I knooow, let’s do a cocktail crawl soon!

          Reply
      5. Steph @ Steph in Thyme says

        February 19, 2015 at 1:50 pm

        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!

        Reply
        • Brandon Matzek says

          March 2, 2015 at 3:26 pm

          Thanks Steph and stay warm!!

          Reply
      6. Debi @ Life Currents says

        February 19, 2015 at 3:11 pm

        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!

        Reply
        • Brandon Matzek says

          March 2, 2015 at 3:25 pm

          Yes!! Come visit. Thanks Debi 🙂

          Reply
      7. Angela {mind-over-batter.com} says

        February 19, 2015 at 3:52 pm

        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.

        Reply
        • Brandon Matzek says

          March 2, 2015 at 3:25 pm

          Haha yes!! These are all great spots. I’ve yet to make homemade bitters, but I want to after seeing Zymology’s program.

          Reply
      8. Diane (Created by Diane) says

        February 19, 2015 at 4:49 pm

        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!

        Reply
        • Brandon Matzek says

          March 2, 2015 at 3:23 pm

          Glad you liked the cocktails at Zymology!

          Reply
      9. Sylvie | Gourmande in the Kitchen says

        February 19, 2015 at 6:06 pm

        Sounds like a great place, wish they had been around when I lived in San Diego!

        Reply
        • Brandon Matzek says

          March 2, 2015 at 3:23 pm

          Thanks Sylvie. You’ll have to come back for a boozy visit!

          Reply
      10. Cynthia /What A Girl Eats says

        February 19, 2015 at 6:15 pm

        Those looks and sound fantastic! You’re making me thirsty!

        Reply
        • Brandon Matzek says

          March 2, 2015 at 3:22 pm

          Thanks Cynthia :)!

          Reply
      11. Melissa Machowski says

        February 19, 2015 at 7:27 pm

        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!

        Reply
        • Brandon Matzek says

          March 2, 2015 at 3:22 pm

          Thanks Melissa! Zymology 21 does an awesome job with their presentations.

          Reply
      12. Lauren @ Wicked Spatula says

        February 20, 2015 at 3:14 am

        LOVE the creativity in these cocktails! Not to even mention the presentation.

        Reply
        • Brandon Matzek says

          March 2, 2015 at 3:22 pm

          Thanks so much Lauren!

          Reply
      13. [email protected] says

        February 20, 2015 at 9:22 am

        That place is so pretty, I love all of the wood. And the recipes are quite inventive, I am sure they were so good!

        Reply
        • Brandon Matzek says

          March 2, 2015 at 3:21 pm

          Thanks Fabiola! Yes, all three restaurants/bars have inspired design/decor as well.

          Reply
      14. Gerry @ foodnessgracious says

        February 20, 2015 at 10:22 am

        I want to visit every place! Nice clicks too 🙂

        Reply
        • Brandon Matzek says

          March 2, 2015 at 3:20 pm

          Thanks Gerry :)!

          Reply
      15. Natasha says

        February 20, 2015 at 5:35 pm

        LOVE this post!! Can’t believe I haven’t been to zymnology 21 yet! Definitely on my to-do list this weekend?

        Reply
        • Brandon Matzek says

          March 2, 2015 at 3:19 pm

          Do it!! Thanks Natasha 🙂

          Reply
      16. Sippitysup says

        February 22, 2015 at 1:05 pm

        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

        Reply
        • Brandon Matzek says

          March 2, 2015 at 3:18 pm

          Definitely check it out Greg! Such a fun vibe.

          Reply
      17. Phillip || SouthernFATTY.com says

        February 27, 2015 at 10:59 am

        This sounds deeeeelicious! I’m also totally scientist-y nerding out about the place.

        Reply
        • Brandon Matzek says

          March 2, 2015 at 1:48 pm

          So tasty!! Definitely stop by if you are ever in SD 🙂

          Reply
      18. Ivette says

        March 23, 2015 at 5:21 am

        Looks awesome!!!!!!!

        Reply
        • Brandon Matzek says

          March 23, 2015 at 7:04 am

          Thanks Ivette!

          Reply
      19. heather @french press says

        May 12, 2015 at 7:37 am

        just another reason why I love visiting SD – next time I guess we’ll have to leave the kids at home 🙂

        Reply
        • Brandon Matzek says

          May 12, 2015 at 1:14 pm

          Yes!! And promise them a trip to the zoo next time 🙂

          Reply
      20. pam (Sidewalk Shoes) says

        May 12, 2015 at 4:51 pm

        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!

        Reply

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      Brandon and Federico

      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. Read More…


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