Making the perfect drink is an art, and we can’t take our eyes off these local cocktails + mocktails that push boundaries.
If you’re looking for over-the-top drinks, you’ll find them in San Diego. As we celebrate #DrinkUpSanDiego, we’re rounding up 10 drinks that look too good to be true. But as you know, sipping is believing, and you can really find these at local bars + restaurants.
At this point, it’s not too surprising to get more than celery with a Bloody Mary, but nothing is off limits at this restaurant with locations in La Mesa, Little Italy, Bay Park + Chula Vista. If you’re feeling adventurous, try “The Barn Yard.” It’s a pitcher of specialty Bloody Mary topped with a whole chicken.
This cocktail is comin’ in hot — literally, it’s on fire. If you’re brave enough to find this local speakeasy, we recommend you bring friends and try Sunakora’s Bowl. The jungle mix is too big to drink solo, but it will leave you with an experience you’ll want to share with everyone.
This looks like a kids’ drink, but packs an adult punch. | Photo via @drink_sandiego
This one is served with a side of nostalgia. Coin-Op in North Park + downtown is known for its old-school arcade games, and its signature Power Punch — peach, pear, passionfruit + apricot liqueurs mixed with Smirnoff vodka, citrus, and cranberry — is served in a juice pouch to take you back to your childhood days of drinking Capri Sun.
This vegan-friendly bar in South Park has its XXX Cocktail menu featuring all non-alcoholic drinks, and there’s plenty to choose from. Coffee lovers will get buzzed — from caffeine only — with the Kiss of Steel, though we’re interested (and frightened) by the Zombie Prescription mocktail.
Cheers to all the margaritas, spicy watermelon in the lower right corner. | Photo via @thesandiegoscout
It should come as no surprise that this Mexican restaurant offers a variety of margaritas, but this one sets your tongue ablaze. By now, you might have spiced up your margaritas with jalapeños, but this glowing drink will have you seeing red + feeling the heat from the Ghost 100% Blue Agave Tequila.
Pro tip: The Spicy Watermelon Margarita comes as a part of Cafe Coyote’s colorful margarita flight if you can’t fully commit to the spice.
Santee Summer Concert: Santana Soul | Thurs., July 28 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Town Center Community Park East | Free | Grab a chair + the family and enjoy this tribute to Santana. 🎸
”The Office” Trivia Night | Thursdays | 7:30 p.m. | Little Miss Brewing in La Mesa, Lakeside, Normal Heights, Escondido or Poway | $10 | Answer correctly, and you might win a Dundie. 📂
Friday
Led Zeppelin 2 | Fri., July 29 | 8 p.m. | House of Blues | $15+ | Celebrate the live Zeppelin experience with this tribute band. 🎸
San Diego Padres vs. Minnesota Twins | Fri., July 29 | 6:40 p.m. | Petco Park | $27+ | The ballpark hosts its Italian Heritage Celebration — if you buy tickets via a special package, you get a limited edition Padres “Italia” hat. 🇮🇹
Adam Ray | Fri., July 29-Sun., July 31 | 7 + 9:30 p.m. | The Comedy Store | $25 | The comedian known for roles in “Young Rock” + “American Vandal” comes to La Jolla. 🎤
Saturday
Transplant Games of America 5K | Sat., July 30 | 7:30 a.m. | North Harbor Drive (in front of the County Administration Building) | $30 | Run or walk to raise awareness for organ, eye, tissue + bone marrow donation. 👟
Silent Revival Gaslamp Disco | Sat., July 30 | 6-11 p.m. | Island Ave., from 4th to 5th Ave. | $20+ | Get your groove — and headphones — on with three different DJ experiences 🎧
Sunday
Yoga on Sunset Cliffs | Sundays | 9 a.m. | 1253 Sunset Cliffs Blvd.| Free | Start your day with a refreshing yoga class + beautiful views of the Pacific. 🧘♂️
“Get on Your Feet! An 80s Celebration” | Sun., July 31 | 3 p.m. | Balboa Theatre | $25+ | The singers + dancers of the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus pay tribute to the music of the 1980s — think Whitney, Journey, Queen, Pet Shop Boys + more. 🎤
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Hampton Farms has been in biz for 75+ years, so you know they’ve got the snacking thing down. | Photo provided by Hampton Farms
We’re four days into SDtoday’s first Drink Up Week — and we’re loving every second. Here’s something else to add to your plate: Hampton Farms gourmet peanuts — because the only thing better than a drink is a drink + a snack.
77º | Early clouds, sunny afternoon | 7% chance of rain
Sunrise + Sunset
Rise: 5:59 a.m.
Set: 7:50 p.m.
Tide
Low: 4:32 a.m. + 3:38 p.m.
High: 11:01 a.m. + 9:50 p.m.
Civic
San Diego City Councilvoted to approve a $132 million settlement on the 101 Ash St. office tower + Civic Center Plaza in downtown San Diego. The action will transfer ownership of the buildings to the city, refund the city the $7.4 million in profits developer Cisterra made in the lease-to-own agreement, and make the city responsible for the buildings’ asbestos removal. (San Diego Union-Tribune + ABC 10)
Make way fornew regulations impacting shared mobility devices like motorized scooters + e-bikes. The new rules approved in May are now in effect in the City of San Diego, including limitations on the number of scooters, parking restrictions, crackdowns on sidewalk riding, and more accountability for companies. 🛴 (NBC 7)
Health
San Diego County is working with LGBTQ+ leaders to educate our communities and help control the spread of monkeypox. The county is hosting two events — today and tomorrow, July 29, by appointment — with a limited number of vaccines available for those at high risk. 💉
Biz
Apple Inc. purchased the Rancho Vista Corporate Center in Rancho Bernardo for $445 million. The 67.6-acre campus will be the company’s first commercial purchase in San Diego, though it leased buildings in University City + Rancho Bernardo. If you’re thinking iWant to work for Apple, the acquisition is expected to employ 5,000 workers by 2026. 📱 (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Traffic
SANDAG + Caltrans San Diego officials are celebrating the completion of the State Route 11 roadway connector that will provide access to the future Otay Mesa East Port of Entry. The project includes the SR-125 to Westbound SR-905 connector that opens today, designed to provide a smoother ride by reducing border wait times. 🚧
Open
Carlsbad is letting dogs run free at its new dog park at Poinsettia Community Park. The space allows off-leash play within the two-thirds of an acre perimeter, and includes agility equipment, picnicking areas, water fountains, and separate spaces for large + small pups. 🐶 (San Diego Union-Tribune)
CocoCabana landed atop The Brick Hotel in Oceanside, offering a Caribbean-influenced menu with views overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The 2,100-sqft restaurant opened Wednesday, and is the latest eatery by Grind & Prosper Hospitality — the group that recently launched Coco Maya in Little Italy. 🥥 (Eater San Diego)
Outdoors
Tiny pink clumps resembling bubble gum have been popping up at Lake Murray in East County. The mystery blobs have been identified as Channeled Apple Snail eggs, and have appeared near the lake in past years. While the snails may harm crops, their presence will not impact the quality of drinking water. 🐌 (CBS 8)
Environment
The City of Del Mar is offering 10 free compostable bags for food wastes courtesy of EDCO Disposal Corporation. The bags are designed to fit kitchen caddies — that residents can receive for free by contacting EDCO — as the city continues encouraging the adoption of organic waste composting. 🗑️
Shop
The Vista Library is making it more affordable to add to your summer reading listthis weekend. Its Encore Bookstore will offer 50% off books, CDs + DVDs on Friday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. + Saturday from 1-3 p.m. 📖
Finance
When beginning the journey of buying a home, getting pre-approved should be the least of anyone’s worries. Opendoor recently announced a financing app that enables consumers to get a mortgage pre-approval in less than two minutes. It’s currently available to CA customers, with availability in additional states coming soon. 🏡 *
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For Drink Up Week, the local brewery is sharing a couple of toast-worthy recommendations — something new + something classic. So, #DrinkUpSanDiego.
The Newbie: Clásico Mexican Lager — an easy-drinking beer for these hot summer days. Pair it with tacos (you can never go wrong with fish tacos) or mix with your favorite Michelada recipe (don’t forget the Tajín-rimmed glass) and you’ve got yourself a summer staple — though it is available year-round. ¡Salud!
The Classic: Speedway Stout — the brewery’s chocolate + roasted malt imperial stout with notes of fruit, toffee, and caramel. Each batch includes a dose of locally-roasted coffee, which brings out the beer’s dark chocolate flavors and enhances its drinkability.
Pro tip: Head to the AleSmith Tasting Room at 9990 AleSmith Ct. in Miramar this week to grab one of our SDtoday Drink Up Week koozies. Cheers. 🍻
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Editor’s pick:Good morning, San Diego. During Drink Up Week, I like to think green. That means using reusing cups, recycling, and getting matcha, of course.Holy Matcha — as the name implies — always does a great job, but I wouldn’t sleep on Matcha Cafe Maiko in Kearny Mesa, because its menu is full of green deliciousness.
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