Rye, sparkling apple, maple syrup, bitters, lemon. $10
Padrecito, San Francisco CA
I like most of the specialty drinks at Padrecito. The bartenders seem to know what they’re doing and the drinks are creative and delicious.
San Francisco Marina Yacht Harbor.
Kenwood sparkling wine, fresh squeezed orange juice. $8
Hilltop 1892, Novato CA
The views from this restaurant are pretty nice! It’s a great place to have a relaxing weekend brunch. The service seems pretty friendly, but the food needed a little improvement.
Orange cactus flower (Rebutia sp., Cactaceae), Kentfield.
Hmm, this is a great refreshing way to enjoy bourbon on a sunny day. The lemonade helps to cut the sometimes strong taste of the bourbon.
Lookout, San Francisco CA
Emerging weeds at the J-Church Muni stop.
With Bulleit bourbon. $9.50
Oswald, Santa Cruz CA
Wow, this cocktail had SO much bitters in it – definitely not very balanced. That was my single major complaint about this place. There wasn’t a lot of finesse in making these standard cocktails.
Yellow bush lupine (Lupinus arboreus, Fabaceae), Pigeon Point, Pescadero.
Skyy vodka, X-Rated blood orange passion liqueur. $7.50
Hula’s Island Grill, Santa Cruz CA
Hmm, I don’t remember too much about this drink so I’m guessing that it was just OK at best. I do like the color of it though. 🙂
Our Mystery Spot tour guide up at the cabin.
With Bulleit bourbon. $9.50
Oswald, Santa Cruz CA
Ugh, our bartender was heavy handed with the bitters on all the whiskey drinks we ordered! This pretty much ruined any of our enjoyment for these cocktails. And this was a first – CRUSHED ice in my old fashioned, what?! I hope I never see that again. 😦
Train tracks toward the Santa Cruz Boardwalk.
3 rums infused with pineapple and vanilla topped with tropical juices and Foslings Black Seal rum. $8
Hula’s Island Grill, Santa Cruz CA
I love the beautiful colors in this cocktail. They make you think of vacations and beaches. I’ve had plenty of frou frou cocktails in my life (hehe), and some of them miss the mark. This hurricane did not disappoint – it was delicious!
Red and green Fuschia flowers (Onagraceae), The Mystery Spot.
Don Q Cristal rum, passion fruit, pineapple juice, lime juice, Goslings Black Seal rum and Bacardi 151 rum. $8
Hula’s Island Grill, Santa Cruz CA
I had to order something served in a tiki glass during our visit to Hula’s. Enter the zombie cocktail, lol! This drink was delicious and deceptively easy to drink. I definitely felt a buzz after finishing off this fruity concoction.
Red and purple Fuschia flowers (Onagraceae), The Mystery Spot.
Appleton’s gold rum, DeKuyper orange curacao, pineapple and lime juice, orgeat, Goslings Black Seal rum. $7
Hula’s Island Grill, Santa Cruz CA
There was something off with this cocktail. Perhaps the pineapple juice was old, but something just didn’t taste right. This was unfortunate because I do love my mai tai’s.
The Mystery Spot sign.
Gin, lime and cucumber. Served on the rocks. $9
Oswald, Santa Cruz CA
This cocktail was good, but it wasn’t as bright and refreshing as I thought it was going to be. Hmm…
San Lorenzo River and the Santa Cruz Boardwalk.
Whiskey, apple, lemon and bitters. Served on the rocks. $9
Oswald, Santa Cruz CA
I liked this cocktail especially since it wasn’t too sweet. The apple flavor was a nice counterpoint to the whiskey.
Red fuschia flowers (Onagraceae), The Mystery Spot.
Santa Cruz 75: bubbles, elderflower and lemon. $8
Bubbly Berry: bubbles, berry, lemon, pomegranate and hibiscus. $8
Solaire Restaurant + Bar, Santa Cruz CA
I don’t know why I think that soju cocktails are ever going to please my palate. I always have a false sense of hope that I’ll finally like how they taste. Well, I was wrong yet again! Solaire doesn’t have a proper liquor license so they’re stuck with serving hard liquor replacement cocktails. Both of these were especially sweet and nauseating.
Solaire menu.
Hotel Paradox pool area.
Vittle Monster 