Brunch cocktails – Chambers Eat + Drink

Spa collins cocktail - Chambers Eat + Drink

Spa collins: gin, basil, mint, cucumber, orange, citrus, ginger beer. $11
Chambers Eat and Drink, San Francisco CA

I loved brunch cocktails, especially when they’re expertly made. These cocktails were ok. The Spa Collins was on the tart side and the Bloody Mary was on the bland side. I did really enjoy the Lucky Lemonade though!

Lucky lemonade cocktail - Chambers Eat + Drink
Lucky lemonade: bourbon and house made lemonade. $8

Bloody mary cocktail - Chambers Eat + Drink

Bloody mary: the traditional favorite made with house sambal and vodka. $9

Manhattan rye – Region

Manhattan rye - Region

Templeton rye whiskey, antica formula, morello cherry juice. $10
Region, San Francisco CA

Boy, do they like to keep this place dark! I guess it’s to create a cool, hip atmosphere but it seems too much when it’s early on and SO bright and sunny outside. This cocktail was OK, but perhaps with too much cherry juice.

Stranded jellyfish
Stranded jellyfish at Fort Funston.

Cocktails 2 – Beretta

Lone Wolf cocktail - Beretta
Lone Wolf – bourbon, lemon, averna, gomme, cardamom. $10
Beretta, San Francisco CA

Mmm, the cocktails at Beretta are usually very tasty. BUT our first cocktail, however, took forever to come out. I don’t know if the waitress forgot to ring it up or they lost the ticket, but she eventually came over to apologize for the long delay. Not a good way to start a meal. I hate poor timing!

Improved Whiskey Cocktail - Beretta
Improved Whiskey Cocktail – rye, dubonnet, maraschino, absinthe. $11

Vamos Gigantes Mural
The “Vamos Gigantes” Mural, The Mission. Taking pride in the San Francisco Giants baseball team!

Jamaican planter’s punch – Smuggler’s Cove

Jamaican planter's punch - Smuggler's Cove

“Where it all began – the heart of the exotic cocktail as enjoyed for centuries in Jamaica. This follows the traditional Caribbean formula: 1 of sour (lime) 2 of sweet (sugar) 3 or strong (dark Jamaican rum), and 4 of weak (ice), with allspice liqueur and Angostura bitters for spice.” $12
Smuggler’s Cove, San Francisco CA

Just in time for Friday happy hour, lol! I love most of the drinks at Smuggler’s Cove, but this didn’t do it for me. I think the allspice liqueur was a bit too much.

Cliff House Totem Pole

Cliff House Totem Pole, Point Lobos Avenue.

Puka punch – Smuggler’s Cove

Puka punch - Smuggler's Cove

“Mere mortal bartenders quake in fear at the sight of eleven carefully measured ingredients, but not our intrepid crew. Such is the nature of a great exotic cocktail like this masterpiece from the world famous Tiki-Ti in Los Angeles. Four juices, four rums, and a sea of spices make this ‘Superb in Taste Sensation’.” $14
Smuggler’s Cove, San Francisco CA

This is definitely a silent killer! It tastes SO delicious and fruity that you forget that it’s also packed with a ton of alcohol. One of these definitely gets you going so be careful, you don’t wanna barf in their indoor water feature. Lol!

7×7 Magazine’s The Big Eat San Francisco: 100 Things to Eat + Drink Before You Die – 2011

Coastal strawberry plants
Coastal strawberry plants (Fagaria chiloensis, Asteraceae), Point Lobos Avenue.

Cadillac margarita – El Mirasol Cocina Mexicana

Cadillac margarita - El Mirasol Cocina Mexicana

1800 Reposado tequila, orange liqueur, sweet and sour, fresh lime juice and a float of Grand Marnier. Grande $14
El Mirasol Cocina Mexicana, Palm Springs CA

I really don’t mind paying $14 for a large margarita, but I hate it when a server tries to up-sell you and purposefully keeps you in the dark regarding the price of the larger item. I think it’s tacky and irresponsible. The drink always tastes worse when this happens anyway. Boo!

Chips and salsa - El Mirasol Cocina Mexicana
Chips and salsa. Complimentary

Cocktails – Escena Lounge & Grill

Cocktails - Escena Lounge & Grill

Dirty Blonde: Makers Mark, Dekuyper peach schnapps, lemonade, mint. $10
Escena Martini: Pearl cucumber vodka, Beefeater gin, tonic, lime juice, cucumber garnish. $12
Escena Lounge & Grill, Palm Springs CA

Mmm, a couple of refreshing cocktails on a warm sunny day. You can’t beat that!

Assorted rolls - Escena Lounge & Grill
Assorted rolls. Complimentary

Idyllwild country
View of Idyllwild country from Mt. San Jacinto.

Sangria – The Prado at Balboa Park

Sangria - The Prado at Balboa Park
Red wine, fruit liqueurs, fruit juices, fresh fruit. Pitcher $17.95
The Prado at Balboa Park, San Diego CA

After a day of walking around Balboa Park, this pitcher of sangria was welcomed with open arms. Mmm, SO refreshing!

Poet and Muse mosaic sculpture

‘Poet and Muse’ mosaic sculpture, Niki de Saint Phalle, located outside of the Mingei International Museum.