Raise a glass—the flavors of fall have arrived behind the bars of these San Diego eateries.
Wolfie’s Vieux Carré. PHOTO: BY JAMES TRAN
Mustangs & Burros
Belly up to the bar at Mustangs & Burros at Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa to enjoy its spiked cider. Bourbon, apple cider and lemon juice are combined and shaken over ice before angostura bitters are added. From there, the potion gets a kick of effervescence from a splash of ginger beer. Keep the holiday festivities going at the property’s Greenfinch restaurant where its Thanksgiving brunch will delight with 24-hour brined turkey, traditional stuffing, cranberry chutney, classic pumpkin pie and pecan-chocolate bread pudding. 855.430.7503, meritagecollection.com
Spiked cider. PHOTO COURTESY OF ESTANCIA LA JOLLA RESORT & SPA
The Plot
When you’re not indulging in chefs Davin Waite and Ryan Orlando’s plant-based fare at The Plot in Oceanside, try The String of Hearts cocktail created by front-of-house manager Marisa Johnson. Inspired by both a pink peppercorn tree from her childhood and the pink peppercorn sauce featured in The Plot’s grilled cabbage dish, Johnson combined the flavors of pink peppercorn syrup with Lillet Rose, cardamaro, aquafaba and lemon to create a libation that’s light, floral and embraces the restaurant’s plant-based perspective. 442.266.8200, theplotrestaurant.com
The String of Hearts. PHOTO BY ISRAEL PALACIO
Wolfie’s Carousel Bar
Wet your whistle at this playful new watering hole in Little Italy, where imbibing takes place around a bar inspired by the famed Carousel Bar at the Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans. Sip the Wolfie’s Vieux Carré, a drink originally concocted by Hotel Monteleone head bartender Walter Bergeron in 1937. Wolfie’s iteration features WhistlePig Small Batch Rye Aged 10 Years, Rémy Martin XO cognac and Carpano Antica vermouth to create a flavor profile you won’t soon forget. 619.255.7533, wolfiescarousel.com