Tiki is IN
Spring Cocktails - Innovative Bars - Spirit Influencer
Donn's Dream
Orange County's drink scene is becoming more diverse and complex than ever before. From the knowledgable veteran in her bar store, to a tip of the hat to the days of the tiki craze, or even farther back to hidden drink havens with spirit enthused imbibers, there is something new for everyone. Here is a birds eye view of the cocktail greats in OC.
Lama Nui
Hatch
Union Market Tustin
2493 Park Ave
Tustin, CA 92782
Hatch is one of the newest kids on the cocktail block bringing gourmet sliders, craft beer and tiki cocktails to Union Market Tustin at the District (opening October 2015). Restauranteur Leonard Chan, creator of The Iron Press and The Blind Rabbit, brings you this new mid-century modern hang out spot. Enjoy a cold brew on the patio and people watch or dine inside and and check out the ultra swanky design and wall decals by renowned artist, SHAG.
Chef Andrew Singh and Chef Steve Takashi are the creatives in the kitchen, inventing creative and unique slider options to soak up the island drink goodness.
Douglas Craig
Bar Manager, Dougie Craig, has been busy concocting drinks that will put a spring in your step this season. The Donn’s Dream, features a five year old rum from Barbados and a four year old Nicaraguan rum. This classic balances strength with complexity as cinnamon, almond and hints of orange whisk you away to a remote island beach.
Walker
Slow down and savor each sip, because you’re on island time now. For a change of pace, order the Walker, Tiki’s most powerful player. This drink comes with a warning — too many of these and you will be like the undead… Other cocktails include the Lama Nui, Sterling’s Lunch and Hatch 75.
The Thriller
Mesa
725 Baker St
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Mesa appeals to a chic 21+ crowd with bold small-plate cuisine and creative cocktails in a contemporary lounge setting. Mesa brings LA to OC with its unique architectural design, retractible roof, living wall, local art displays and movies that are projected onto the walls. Located in the Camp shopping center of Costa Mesa, Mesa is an oasis that enthusiastically serves up craft cocktails and designer bites effortlessly. Executive Chef Niki Starr Welyler is the brains behind the execution and innovation of the cuisine. Her favorite being her monthly music and food pairings. Mesa’s bar chef is introducing three new cocktails to the menu for spring; The Thriller, Sandia Spring and Le Chiffre.
Sandia Spring
The Thriller features Pilar light rum, angostura seven year, grapefruit juice, lime, mint, cinnamon and absinthe. Be careful, this cocktail could turn anybody into a zombie. For the tequila patrons, try the Sandia Spring, made with mescal, repesado tequila, campari, watermelon shrub, lemon and tiki bitters. Bartenders love to play and manipulate gin into a variety of cocktail recipes. Needless to say, the Le Chiffre featuring Plymouth gin, Fords gin, dry vermouth, grapefruit liquer, grapefruit bitters and lemon have stolen our hearts.
Kingston Club
Blind Rabbit
Anaheim Packing District
440 S. Anaheim Blvd
Anaheim, CA 92805
Named "Best Cocktails in Orange County" at the Golden Foodie Awards and by CBS, The Blind Rabbit is a 1920's speakeasy themed restaurant and bar located on the ground floor of the Anaheim Packing House and hidden behind a hidden door. The cocktail menu is curated by a team of spirit professionals lead by Robert Adamson. The cocktails reflect classic cocktails as well as modern reinventions, and takes pride in using fresh ingredients in all of the beverages. In addition to the copper top bar as the centerpiece to the establishment, the cocktail menu is a true reflection of development and creation.
Santeria
We are excited to announce the Blind Rabbit’s spring cocktail menu featuring Peanuts & Cracker Jacks, Rattlesnake, like Cockatoos, Santeria, Spring Time Negroni, Summer Blush and Kingston Club. Order the Peanuts & Cracker Jacks cocktail and sip nostalgically.
Peanuts and Cracker Jacks
This cocktail will remind you of those days sitting in the stands with the smell of baseball in the air while eating Cracker Jacks as a kid. Imagine sipping on peanut infused bourbon, caramel popcorn and mole bitters.
Rattlesnake
For a tangy whiskey drink with just the right amount of sweet and sour, order the Rattlesnake, made with 100 proof rye whiskey, fresh lemon juice, cane syrup, absinthe and egg white. The Summer Blush beverage will have you rosey cheeked in no time, made with vodka and St. Germain blended with fresh cucumber, lime juice and a splash of rose water for an incredibly light, refreshing cocktail that pairs perfectly with a patio chair on a warm, sunny day.
Habana
The Lab, 2930 Bristol St
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
If you can’t take a trip to Cuba this weekend, don’t worry, you can still get a taste at Habana. Find yourself rewarded with all the culinary riches of Cuba, right here at The Lab in Costa Mesa. The dining room and large heated patio create a warm, inviting ambiance of pre-Castro Cuba as you sip on your refreshingly crafted cocktail. The bar offers the perfect place to relax with one of Habana’s FAMOUS mojitos.
FEW - The Mixing Glass Exclusive Bottling
The Mixing Glass
OC Mart Mix
3313 Hyland Ave, Ste A-6
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Having passed one of the most difficult bar exam's in the world, BAR 5, Master Mixologist Gabrielle Dion has left her management position at Broadway by Amar Santana and is making the home cocktail maker a home bar master at The Mixing Glass. Gabrielle Dion is considered by many to be one of the best bartenders in Orange County, so it’s only fitting that she would be the one to help you perfect your talents of swirling cocktails. Her palate is unparalleled, so distillers have begun to have her create special blends, and bottle them exclusively for The Mixing Glass.