Cinco de Mayo Inspired Cocktails from San Diego’s Best Bars & Restaurants

By Molly Sanders | May 3, 2018

Tequila is the name of the game for Cinco de Mayo, and these bars have got the best Mexican cocktails around. Curb your south-of-the-border cravings with these sips around San Diego. Embrace May with an ice-cold margarita in hand, because Cinco de Mayo is fast approaching! While Cinco de Mayo is a relatively minor holiday in Mexico, it is THE day to celebrate the rich Mexican culture, food, and traditions in the U.S. – and a perfect excuse to drink Mexican cocktails. Tequila reigns supreme this holiday, and with spring in full swing, the best south-of-the-border libations are fun and breezy. Find your fiesta around San Diego with our top tequila drinks.

Osetra Seafood & Steaks

Osetra’s upscale menu is complemented by a full selection of hand-crafted cocktails. Raise a glass to the colorful Mexican culture with the Piñata, a mix of Azuñia Blanco organic tequila, tangy blood orange, a squeeze of lime juice, organic habanero-infused agave, and black salt for an unmatched authentic drinking experience. Fresh, fruity, and refreshingly tart, this delightfully pink cocktail with a black salt rim is crowd-pleasing and simple to make, so impress your guests with a new tequila cocktail for an instant Cinco de Mayo favorite.

Del Sur Mexican Cantina

Let the festivities begin at Del Sur Mexican Cantina, South Park’s kid-friendly, vegetarian-friendly, and even dog-friendly Mexican eatery. Featuring colorful character, bright décor, and a world-class bar of creative concoctions, Del Sur is the ideal spot to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Order up the Paloma, made with 100% agave tequila blanco, fresh grapefruit, bubbly Squirt, and a half salt rim, served with unmatched flavor and flair all day and night to take your Cinco de Mayo to new heights.

The Whiskey House

Sip your tequila in style at The Whiskey House, found in the bustling Gaslamp Quarter. Don’t let the name of this whiskey-centric bar fool you – although they feature the largest whiskey collection in all of California with over 2,500 different bottles, they also have an immense list of diverse craft cocktails for all occasions, mixed with premier ingredients. Tame your thirst for tequila with the Yellow Jacket, made with El Charo Reposado tequila, St. Germain, yellow chartreuse, and The Whiskey House’s house orange bitters.

The Rail

Toast to tequila at Hillcrest’s iconic nightlife destination, The Rail. Functioning as both a nightlife hotspot and daytime social experience, The Rail is serving up modern versions of artisanal cocktails with the freshest ingredients and flavorful twists. This Cinco de Mayo, slide up to the bar and savor the El Pachuco, a fun and photo-worthy tequila cocktail made with Herradura Blanco tequila, Giffard pamplemousse liqueur, and a generous squeeze of fresh lime to take your celebration to the next level.

Jalisco Cantina

Sip on tasting flights of tequila and mezcal or toast with house specialty margaritas infused with ingredients including cilantro, pineapple jalapeño, and the Mango Serrano, made with 100% blue agave tequila, Ancho Reyes Chile liqueur, fresh lime, orange curacao, and mango puree.

Bub’s @ The Beach

Catch all the tequila-fueled action at Bub’s @ The Beach, a local favorite found in the heart of lively Pacific Beach. Fans flock to this wood-and-brick dive bar for football, shuffleboard, and great grub – the killer cocktail list doesn’t hurt either. Think outside the box with your traditional tequila drinking with the El Caliente Mule, made with Espolón Blanco tequila and topped with a house made pineapple-jalapeno syrup, then mixed with ginger beer, soda water, and bitters for distinctive Southern California flair.

JSix restaurant

Head to the at JSix restaurant at Kimpton Solamar Hotel for their Spicy Cucumber Margarita. It is made with Serrano infused Espolon tequila, cucumber, agave and lime to create the perfect concoction of sweet, spicy, and refreshing. Mezcal lovers, prepare to amazed by the Yuzu Daisy. This cocktail contains Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, Tres Agaves Reposado, yuzu, and coriander. Also check out the Pajaro Verde made with avocado-infused pisco porton, jalapeno-cilantro syrup, citrus, and orange bitters.

Viejas Casino & Resort

Head to Viejas Casino & Resort’s LOCALE restaurant, V Lounge, The Grove Bar and other bars at the resort and treat yourself to one of their Viejas Signature Spicy Blood Orange Margarita. This cocktail is made of Don Julio Blanco, sweet and pure agave, blood orange juice, with a Tajin rim. This cocktail really packs a punch and is loaded with flavor.

Tamarindo

Check out the Spicy House Margarita at Tamarindo in North Park. It’s made with blanco tequila, orange shrub, lime, agave, orange bourbon bitters, serrano spice, and a Tajin and Chamoy rim – spicy, sweet & citrus-y, it covers all the bases.

The Duck Dive

Throughout the month of May, The Duck Dive will be helping raise money for Promises 2 Kids by donating a portion of proceeds from select menu items to the nonprofit organization. Plan to stop in for lunch or dinner to support the organization’s Foodies 4 Foster Kids initiative during May, which is National Foster Care Month. The Duck Dive will be donating $1 from the purchase of the below items directly towards foster children in San Diego:

The Verdita Margarita, made with Los Altos Plata Tequila, house-made verdita and agave. Duck Dive’s house-made verdita is a spicy yet sweet blend of jalapeño, cilantro, pineapple and mint.
Bill’s Famous Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf, topped with a smoked tomato jus and fried onion strings, and served on a bed of mashed potatoes.
Stella Artois draft beer.