Cocktails make us happy. Whether enjoyed during a night on the town, mixed up for a party with friends or just sipped quietly to wind down at the end of a hard day, there’s a spirit that will help make any occasion a special one.
We’re shaking things up this fall with our first ever cocktail issue! Edible Monterey Bay has teamed up with Event Santa Cruz to shine a spotlight on local bars and restaurants that make a special effort to offer a high-quality cocktail experience.
While all of them do an outstanding job transforming top shelf gin, bourbon, whiskey, rum and tequila into the classic drinks we know and love, we asked each participating establishment to create a special cocktail for this issue.
These delicious drinks will be available during Monterey Bay Cocktail Week from September 17 to 25. Please stop by some of the places listed below and get a taste of cocktail culture. Then try to mix them up at home. Each recipe makes one cocktail unless otherwise noted. Cheers!
Alvarado Street Brewery & Bistro – Carmel PLAZA
Alvarado Street Brewery & Grill – Monterey
Brophy’s Tavern – Carmel
Bud’s at La Playa – Carmel
Chocolate – Santa Cruz
Copal – Santa Cruz
Cultura – Carmel
East End Gastropub – Capitola
Estéban at Casa Munras Garden Hotel – Monterey
Jack O’Neill Restaurant & Lounge at Dream Inn – Santa Cruz
Jacks Monterey at Portola Hotel – Monterey
Links Club – Carmel PLAZA
Lucia at Bernardus Lodge – Carmel Valley
Pangaea Grill – Carmel
Pour Girl
Venus Spirits Cocktails & Kitchen – Aptos and Santa Cruz
Vim – Santa Cruz
The Whisky Club – Monterey
Wild Fish – Pacific Grove
Forbidden Fruit
Alvarado Street Brewery & Bistro
Carmel Plaza, Carmel
With its combination of bourbon, apple and spice, this cocktail created by lead bartender Melanie Bullock is like autumn in a glass.
Dock Ellis No-No
Brophy’s Tavern
San Carlos & 4th, Carmel
A mind-bending margarita bound to inspire your next no-no
Get Pitted
Alvarado Street Brewery & Grill
426 Alvarado Street, Monterey
Lead bartender James Wall keeps things
spicy with his apricot-flavored cocktail.
The Mayor
Bud’s at La Playa
Camino Real & 8th, Carmel
The Mayor is distinguished by bittersweet flavors and smoked maple undertones.
Farmers’ Market Gin Mule
Wild Fish
545 Lighthouse Avenue, Pacific Grove
In keeping with its philosophy of sourcing from local farms and fishermen, Wild Fish makes the most of seasonal produce and locally produced elderberry syrup in its farmers’ market cocktail.
Fresh Watermelon Margarita
East End Gastropub
1501 41st Avenue, Capitola
Off to a strong start with bartender Faith Ellinger’s juicy margarita.
Chocolate Mint Mojito
Chocolate
1522 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz
The Chocolate Mint Mojito is a reflection of owner-chef David Jackman’s commitment to flavor balance.
Sea Foam Bikini
Jack O’Neill Restaurant & Lounge
Dream Inn, 175 W. Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz
For this unique cocktail inspired by two classics—a Ramos fizz and a margarita—bartender Nick Barnes grills and chars the grapefruit halves to concentrate the flavor and cut the tartness.
Birdie Thyme
Links Club
Carmel Plaza, Carmel
A seasonal cocktail that benefits from the use of super-smooth Han Vodka.
Bernardus Brunch Punch
Lucia
Bernardus Lodge, Carmel Valley
This autumn punch from mixologist Colleen Kelly combines spiced pears, tangy cranberry juice and a dash of bubbles.
Pfeiffer Fizz
Pour Girl
Mobile cocktail catering and Bar Bella
Inspired by the purple sand at Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur.
Surfer Rx
Pangaea Grill
Ocean Avenue, Carmel
Just what the doctor ordered!
Cocktail d’Fruta
Venus Spirits Cocktails & Kitchen
200 High Road, Santa Cruz
131 Esplanade, Aptos
Not your grandmother’s fruit cocktail.
Laphroaig Immunity Cocktail
The Whisky Club
425 Alvarado Street, Monterey
Peaty flavor, with a little added froth and boost for fall and winter immunity.
Asian Persuasion
Jacks Monterey
2 Portola Plaza, Monterey
It wouldn’t take too much arm twisting for us to try this stunning cocktail, flavored with brilliant turmeric and healthful carrot juice.
Farmer’s Market Cocktail
Estéban at Casa Munras Hotel
Monterey
This refreshing drink makes the most of seasonal local produce.
Higo-Centric Cocktail
Cultura Comida + Bebida
Carmel
Created by barman David Near and served in a ceramic bowl made by Oaxacan artisans.
Oaxacaloha Cocktail
Copal
Santa Cruz
A tropical Mexican treat created by bartender Andy Garcia.
The Goodbye Earl Cocktail
Vim Dining & Desserts
Santa Cruz
Owner Jessikah Stolaroff and beverage manager Jasmine Dunbar pair cocktails with all the meals at Vim. The Goodbye Earl is often served at tea time with lavender scones.
