17 Seasonal Cocktails From San Diego Bars That Will Have You Feeling Festive!

Mister A’s

Mister A’s beloved “Elf on the Twelfth” is back for its third year, bringing holiday cheer and seven enchanting seasonal cocktails crafted by Bar Manager Alvin Pugeda.

Highlights include:

• Let’s Take an Elfie: Nitro eggnog with bourbon, vanilla bean, and toasted Swiss meringue (Elf included!)
• On Thin Ice: Pomegranate tequila, peppermint, Lillet, rhubarb amaro, citrus, and edible glitter
• Gettin’ Figgy With It: Gin, spiced pear liqueur, plum tea, cider, and apple caramel, served hot
• You’ve Got To Be Knitting Me: Crème de menthe, green chartreuse, white chocolate matcha, and elderflower

Sip festive creations 12 floors up all December long!

Garibaldi

Embrace winter at Garibaldi with cozy bites, festive drinks, and stunning bay views during their seasonal Sunset Happy Hour. From sunset until 8 PM, enjoy exclusive happy hour specials on the al fresco terrace, beautifully decorated for the season with lights, cozy couches, complimentary blankets, and luxe winter parkas.

Savor delights like Braulio Hot Chocolate ($6), Oysters Al Forno ($1.50), Tartare di Tonno ($7), and Calamari Fritto Misto ($7).

Then, celebrate the Winter Solstice on December 21 with a special event featuring DJ Ayla Simone, a snow machine, buffet spread, and bottomless hot chocolate for $85 per person.

Reserve tickets here.

Puesto

Puesto, the beloved first-generation Mexican-American family-owned restaurant, has unveiled a festive holiday cocktail menu to pair with its signature tacos and artisanal Mexican cuisine.

Sip on the Holiday Shopper Margarita, crafted with El Tequileño reposado tequila, Grand Marnier, hibiscus, ginger, cinnamon, and fresh lime, or try the Champagne Ponche, featuring Nicolas Feuillatte champagne, tejocote, guava, and piloncillo.

Feeling festive? Choose between the Naughty Shooter (reposado tequila, hazelnut, Fireball) or the Nice Shooter (blanco tequila, crème de menthe, crème de cacao, whipped cream).

The Lafayette Hotel

Celebrate the season at The Lafayette Hotel, where festive cocktails await at The Lobby Bar. Sip on a warming Hot Toddy with whiskey, chai, and spiced apple, or try the tropical Tiki, featuring aged rum, coconut, and Chinese Five Spice. For something classic, there’s the lightly fruited Old Fashioned that blends bourbon, cognac, and fig.

Don’t miss the signature Lafayette Eggnog, served non-alcoholic via room service and perfect for spiking with spiced rum from the minibar. Cheers!

Vistal

For the second year, Vistal at InterContinental San Diego is embracing chic mountain getaway vibes with their ‘Winter Chalet’ offerings.

Enjoy waterfront views and festive cocktails like the Freezer Martini, made with Tanqueray Gin, Carpano Dry Vermouth, and Orange Bitters, or the warming Navidad Toddy, featuring Tanteo Navidad Tequila, Spiced Apple, and lemon.

Or try the clarified Holiday Milk Punch with Ron Zacapa 23 Year ‘Old Solera’, Blood Orange, and Pomegranate Green Tea.

Campfire

Campfire, a State Street gem, is heating up the holiday season with a new December cocktail menu curated by Beverage Director Andrew Cordero and his all-star bar team. This holiday menu features six innovative drinks that blend seasonal flavors with creative twists.

Some highlights include:

• Marie Callender: Light rum, apple, pecan, brown butter, lime
• Terry’s Milk Punch: American brandy, almond biscotti, cacao, burnt orange
• Golden Ember Toddy: Bourbon, pumpkin, chai, cream (served hot)
• Campfire Eggnog: Overproof rum, walnut, amaro, cream, whipped eggs

Warm up with these festive sips this season!

The Lion’s Share

The Lion’s Share bar team is shaking up the season with bold, creative flavor profiles in their latest cocktail menu.

Highlights include:

• Sweater Weather: Chai-infused blended scotch, vermouth rouge, Benedictine, coconut
• Careless Whisper: Pistachio-infused reposado tequila, Earl Grey milk tea, cardamom, rose foam
• Highlander: Glenfiddich 12, overproof rums, pineapple rum, Cynar, miso, lime, piloncillo
• Self Harmony: Bimini gin, buckthorn, black currant, lemon, rosemary (dedicated to mental health awareness)

Fort Oak

Step into a winter wonderland at Fort Oak this holiday season with “Snowed In,” a festive cocktail pop-up running from November 25 to December 31. The bar transforms into a life-sized snow globe featuring 12 inventive seasonal cocktails.

Beverage Director Jess Stewart’s creations include the Santa Slaps, a cozy twist on the espresso martini with vodka, cold brew, chai, vanilla, cream, and amaretto, and the tiki-inspired Vacay Holiday, blending holiday spiced rum, pineapple, orange, passion fruit, and orgeat.

For colder nights, sip on Big Nic Energy, a warming mix of Maker’s Mark, apple cider, and spices.

Cheers to holiday magic!

Whaling Bar

La Valencia’s legendary Whaling Bar is brimming with holiday cheer, thanks to its festive cocktail menu. Seasonal highlights include:

• Saint Nick’s Sour: Bourbon, Amara Rossa, crème de cacao, cinnamon, lemon
• Holiday Travels: Black Strap rum, mezcal, cinnamon, allspice
• Blanca Navidad: Chai-infused vodka, Licor 43, dulce de leche
• Hoppe’s Ornament (non-alcoholic): Blueberry, apple, lavender, vanilla, lemon

Sip these inspired creations in the heart of La Jolla and toast to the season in style!

Ambrogio by Acquerello

Indulge in festive elegance this season with Ambrogio by Acquerello’s Michelin Guide-recognized beverage team. Through December 31, pair an eight-course tasting menu with their stunning wine-based holiday cocktails:

• Frosted Sparkling Rosé: Rosé prosecco DOC, red fruits, rosemary, glitter
• Cranberry Peach Bellini: Prosecco extra dry DOCG, fresh white peaches, cranberry juice
• Winter Spritz: Prosecco extra dry DOCG, elderflower tonic, cappelletti, cinnamon + orange + clove ice cube

Estancia La Jolla

Step into The Frosty Saddle at Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa, where the Greenfinch Bar is transformed into a cozy holiday haven. Enjoy specialty cocktails, mocktails, mulled wine, and freshly brewed eggnog to warm up this season.

Indulge in Santa’s Milk Punch, a spiced, clarified milk punch with Amaretto, rum, Chartreuse, and cinnamon, topped with half & half and a gingerbread cookie.

Try the California Christmas, blending Gardner gin, coconut cream, and lemon juice for a tropical twist, or sip the Instagram-worthy Thin Ice, a peppermint espresso martini with a white chocolate snowflake garnish.

Happy Does

Get into the festive spirit at Happy Does, Gaslamp’s ultimate holiday hangout.

Sip on creative seasonal cocktails like the Gin-gle My Bells, a sparkling mix of gin, spiced cranberry juice, lemon, holiday spice syrup, and champagne, or the Virgin Merry, a refreshing non-alcoholic blend with soda water.

Try the indulgent Naughty or Spice, featuring Crown Royal, Amaretto, cinnamon-coconut cream, and holiday spice syrup.

With cozy fire pits, snow flurries, lawn games, and a game-filled back room, Happy Does is a must-visit!

Craft & Commerce

Craft & Commerce, the contemporary comfort food hotspot from CH Projects, is decking the halls with festive flair and a lineup of eight new holiday cocktails.

Highlights include the Jingle Juice Spritz, a bright mix of tequila, cranberry syrup, genepy, and rose, and The Escape Clause, a cozy hot blend of bourbon, honey, falernum, and lemon.

Other must-tries are the Nutcracker Of, featuring Monkey Shoulder Whiskey and pandan syrup, and Big in Sheboygan, blending bourbon with sage genepy and cinnamon syrup.

The Presley

Celebrate the season at The Presley in Liberty Station with two festive cocktails perfect for holiday cheer! Try the Let it Snowjito, a tropical spin on the classic mojito, blending rum, cream of coconut, lime, mint, and soda water, topped with a cranberry garnish.

Or, savor the cozy flavors of Santa’s Sangria, a rich mix of cranberry and pomegranate juice, orange liqueur, cinnamon syrup, apple brandy, and red wine.

Kick back by the firepits for a festive night!