The Sweetest Summer San Diego Cocktails
It’s summer in San Diego. The sun is shining, the beaches are booming, and there’s no better way to beat the heat than with a refreshing summer beverage. Thankfully, the city is brimming with outstanding spots to order up not just your on-the-rocks favorites, but some signature “art in a glass” originals you simply can’t get anywhere else. So if you’re looking for new frontiers in delicious drinks, here are some of the newest and best San Diego cocktails you need to discover.
El Prez’ Burro Punch (0.6 miles)
(Photo: @alprezpb)
This festively colorful neighborhood hotspot is a closely-guarded secret among locals. Once you dive into their menu of drink specials like the Burro Punch (Cucumber Mint Vodka, fresh lime juice, ginger beer and Angostura bitters) it’s easy to see why.
4190 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109
Grass Skirt’s Bird on a Wire (0.6 miles)
(Photo: @thegrassskirtsd)
Grass Skirt is one of San Diego’s favorite tiki taverns, and for good reason. Refreshing sips like the Bird on a Wire (crafted from gin, strawberry-infused Campari, Amontillado sherry, pineapple and lime) are tasty tropical tipples that are as palate-pleasing as they are cool.
910 Grand Ave, San Diego, CA 92109
Cannonball’s Sunny & 75 (2.3 miles)
(Photo: @cannonballsd)
Here in San Diego, we like our drinks like we like our weather: agreeable, breezy and delicious. In light of that, beachfront bar and bistro Cannonball has concocted a beverage that reflects our typical climate conditions — a masterful mix of gin, guava, elderflower and sparkling wine.
3105 Ocean Front Walk, San Diego, CA 92109
Duke’s La Jolla’s Lavender Colada (4.2 miles)
(Photo: @dukeslajolla)
Duke’s is an absolutely timeless oceanfront oasis, worth seeking out for everything on the menu. Still, the enticing Lavender Colada — a blend of Bacardi Silver, local organic lavender simple syrup, coconut, pineapple and rum — is as good as it gets.
1216 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA 92037
Wonderland Ocean Pub’s Strawberry Mojito (5.3 miles)
(Photo: @wonderlandoceanbeach)
Breezy beverages always go best with the warm, salty air of the beach. That’s just part of what makes Wonderland Ocean Pub such a haven for solace-seekers. And drinks like their popular Strawberry Mojito (Can Run Silver Rum, strawberry, lime, sugar, mint and soda) certainly don’t hurt, either.
C-Level’s Endless Summer (8.7 miles)
(Photo: @islandprimeclevel)
If enjoying an Endless Summer is your goal, you can do it figuratively anywhere in San Diego. But sampling one literally? That requires heading to C-Level, one of the city’s most renowned beach bars. Once there, enjoy a handcrafted glass of sunshine, consisting of Drake’s vodka, peach bitters, passion fruit and ginger beer.
880 Harbor Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92101
Coco Maya’s Siempre Verano (9.8 miles)
(Photo: @cocomayasd)
“Siempre Verano” translates from Spanish as “always summer” — which is the perfect description for what it feels like here in San Diego. This sumptuous sip incorporates premium blanco tequila, Xtabentún, fresh mango, cucumber tonic, aloe and hibiscus.
1660 India St, San Diego, CA 92101
Mister A’s Cool as a Cucumber (10.4 miles)
(Photo: @misterasrestaurant)
The only thing cooler than the views from this sky-high rooftop restaurant and bar? This sweet summertime swizzle — built from El Gobernador Pisco, fresh spinach, cucumber, lemon, coconut water and celery bitters. Sip one, and drink in the incredible views.
2550 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
Sycamore Den’s Jungle Boogie (11.7 miles)
Sycamore Den is one of those classic places you’ll roll into, and feel immediately at home in. The laid-back ambience is further reinforced by this refreshing relaxer, a smooth and scrumptious blend of Bacardi rum, pineapple juice, Llme, orgeat syrup, and Aperol.
3391 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA 92116
Pacific Terrace’s Piña Colada (right on-site!)
Of course, we’d be remiss if we didn’t highlight our own refreshing summer sip! Pacific Terrace’s twist on a Piña Colada is a fruity blast of smooth flavors, consisting of Bacardi Superior Rum, coconut, pineapple, and an optional floater of Coruba Dark Jamaican Rum.
Pacific Terrace is Your Perfect Summertime Stay n’ Sip
Your San Diego cocktail tour begins at Pacific Terrace. Our oceanfront location is close to everywhere you want to be. Not to mention that we also offer exceptional accommodations, stellar service, a host of guest-friendly amenities you’re sure to love, and an amazing menu of summer sips. Take a look at our Special Offers Page for the best in San Diego travel deals, and cheers!