Celebrate Spring With New Cocktail Menus At These San Diego Bars

I don’t know about you, but the ThereSanDiego.com crew is looking forward to spending some quality time at San Diego’s finest drinking establishments now that shots are getting in arms and things are starting to feel a little more normal!

And when we do, we’ll be tracking down these spring sips to warm up our livers before the summertime fun really begins! 🤣

Raised By Wolves

Ahhhh…Raised by Wolves – how we’ve missed you. Cocktails created by the team at Raised By Wolves always make our trip to the mall a bit more exciting, and with tons of new spring cocktails, we’ve got multiple reservations booked to make our way through the menu. At the top of the list are the Bidi Bidi Bom Bom made with local strawberries, blanco tequila, aperol aperitivo, habanero, lime and a top-secret spice mix, this cocktail is an irresistible spin on a margarita, and the Sundress, an unreasonably refreshing cocktail that includes vodka, Thai basil eau de vie, dry vermouth, pandan, lime and seltzer. Raised by Wolves is open for reservations only and seating is limited so plan ahead.

The Presley

The patio at The Presley is the perfect place to soak up the sun and enjoy cocktails and people watching! To welcome spring, The Presley, located in Liberty Station, introduced four new cocktails to their menu, including the Sausalito Spritz, a sweet take on the classic Aperol spritz. Made with strawberry-infused Aperol, lemon, and champagne, the Sausalito Spritz is the perfect libation to sip while enjoying the sunshine on The Presley’s expansive outdoor patio. In addition to the new cocktail offerings, starting April 1, The Presley is also introducing a happy hour from 3pm to 6pm, Wednesday to Friday, and is expanding its opening hours to include Wednesday from 11AM to 10PM.

Rusticucina

Italian vacation vibes and plenty of space on their outdoor patio make farm-to-neighborhood eatery Rusticucina in Hillcrest an ideal location to imbibe in newly crafted spring cocktails while enjoying the Scilian inspired menu. Made with the classic Italian liqueur limoncello, the Lemontini is made with pear vodka, limoncello, sweet and sour and a float of prosecco to tickle your tastebuds and set your sights on a brighter spring. The restaurant offers brunch and dinner, so no matter the time of day Italy is just a few minutes away.

Underbelly

As restaurant restrictions continue to ease, Underbelly in Little Italy is excited to introduce Happy Hour from 3PM to 5PM, Monday through Friday. The Happy Hour menu introduces a variety of tasty bites, such as Kimchi Wings and Ramen Nachos, and also features a variety of slushie cocktails that are the perfect springtime treat as the weather heats up again. Slushie options include the Calpikachu Slushee, made with Peach Nectar, Calpico, Lemon, and Tito’s Vodka, and the Ube Slushee, made with Pineapple, Coconut, Ube, and Light Rum, both of which can be scored for just $5 during Happy Hour (and $10 regularly!)

Garibaldi

For those looking to enjoy an evening out while cutting back on the cocktails, Garibaldi, located within the InterContinental San Diego, offers the perfect solution with their Little Giuseppe mocktail. Best enjoyed on Garibaldi’s rooftop patio, which offers sweeping views of the bay, the Little Giuseppe combines non-alcoholic Seedlip, Prickly Pear, Myrtle, Lime, and Bubbles for a refreshing spring sip. Anyone looking to indulge further can also choose from Garibaldi’s full cocktail menu, a selection of beers, and an expansive wine and spirit list.

La Puerta

Frosé has major competition as the top frozen alcoholic bevvy from La Puerta’s blended margarita, the Purple Haze. The edgy, downtown neighborhood spot is known for being drink-forward and that includes its very popular blended cocktails. The Purple Haze is a frozen margarita with La Puerta’s house-made Sangria swirled in. We’re ready to toast to tank tops and tacos. La Puerta is open for happy hour daily from 3PM-5PM.

Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa

Guests and diners at the gorgeous hotel property can enjoy specialty cocktails such as the Gratitude & Gin made with You & Yours Sunday Gin, lime juice, lemongrass simple syrup, celery bitters and garnished with a shiso bouquet or Ray of Sun, a blend of You & Yours Summer Citrus Vodka, lemon, simple syrup, kumquat, fresh ginger and turmeric, where $1 of every cocktail purchased will be donated to Olivewood Gardens, a local gardens and learning center in honor of Earth Day. Additionally, the property will have a Gratitude Garden where visitors can write down what they are grateful for on seed paper and plant it in their gratitude garden, while sipping on these festive spring cocktails.

Communal

Sweet Mint Cold Brew, Iced Cherry Blossom Matcha, Strawberry Mint Sparkling Lemonade…cold, refreshing drinks are abound at San Diego’s favorite destination all-day cafe, Communal, which recently launched a new spring cocktail menu featuring fun and tasty drinks, including boozy beverages to linger over anytime of day. The Sparkling Sangria, is available in both red and white varieties and is served with seasonal fruit for a spring-worthy sipper. The white wine version is especially refreshing for warmer temps and is made with natural white wine from Amy Atwood wines, fresh orange juice, lime and strawberries.

Puesto Mexican Artisan Kitchen & Bar

While jetting off on a tropical vacation is still not a reality for most people this spring and summer, Puesto is transporting guests to the tropics with their Bird of Paradise cocktail. Fresh off of Puesto’s newly launched spring menu, the Bird of Paradise combines Espolon Blanco Tequila, Campari, Grand Marnier, Pineapple, and Lime for a refreshing, fruit-forward cocktail. Crafted by Beau du Bois, Puesto’s Bar & Spirits Creative Director (formerly of The Restaurant at Meadowood, Ensue, and Corner Door LA,) a recipe for Puesto’s Bird of Paradise can be found below.

Recipe:
Ingredients
1.5oz Espolon Blanco Tequila
3/4oz Campari
1/2oz Grand Marnier
1oz Pineapple
3/4oz Lime
Instructions
Combine all ingredients
Shake, and pour over ice

The Smoking Gun

Things are heating up at The Smoking Gun, as the Gaslamp District restaurant and bar launched their new cocktail menu since April 1st!

New sips include The Smoking Gun, made with Suntory Toki Japanese Whiskey, Laphroaig Select, Averna, lemon, and mint, or the Revolver, a combo of Old Forester Kentucky Bourbon, Spill the Beans Cold Brew, agave, barrel aged whiskey, and bitters. Another soon-to-be-favorite is the Smith and Wesson, comprised of Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, Mr. Black Coffee Liquor, and whipped coke-cream.

Other new drinks include:

Peach Pit – Tito’s Vodka, peach, lemon, almond, and cinnamon.
A Salt with a Deadly Weapon – Espolon Tequila, ancho verde, lime, grapefruit, Peychaud’s, and Himalayan pink salt.
Ricky Ricardo, made with Bruxo Mezcal, Yellow Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, lemon, and angostura bitters.

And the most fun part is the new cocktail menu is designed to mimic the red viewfinder toys that were popular in the 80’s. When The Smoking Gun first opened, guests viewed the cocktail menu through these viewdfinders, but due to current COVID safety protocals, the bar will only be using the menus until further notice.

We can’t wait to see you there….and stay healthy, San Diego!