6 Cocktails You Need to Try at San Diego’s Newest Caribbean-Inspired Rooftop

Sip Back and Relax at Coco Maya, Where Caribbean Cuisine and Inventive Cocktails Collide

Combine impeccable culinary craftsmanship and a stunning rooftop dining space and you get Coco Maya, Little Italy’s newest Caribbean-inspired hot spot. Featuring the bold and exotic flavors of Latin America, Coco Maya’s menu brings island-style flavors to the table. However the highlight of the menu is undeniably the restaurant’s outstanding collection of signature cocktails. Whether you’re in the mood for a smoky mezcal-forward sipper or a cold brew-infused rum espresso martini, these concoctions are sure to wow your palate and help you get your buzz on. Here are six drinks you need to try ASAP at Coco Maya along with a signature dish to pair them with. Best Cocktails in San Diego

Drink: Siempre Verano

Blanco tequila, xtabentún, mango, cucumber tonic, aloe, hibiscus

Credit: Mary Carol Fitzgerald

Credit: Grind & Prosper

Credit: Mary Carol Fitzgerald

Pair it with: Coconut Shrimp

Coco Maya’s Siempre Verano cocktail, which translates to “always summer,” offers a refreshing, lightly sweetened beverage perfect for a warm day. Utilizing blanco tequila, xtabentún, mango, cucumber tonic, aloe and hibiscus, this beverage is fruity, botanical and well-balanced. And due to its tequila-centric nature, we recommend pairing it with their crispy coconut shrimp–don’t forget to ask for an extra side of their rich and decadent honey ginger dipping sauce. This pairing offers a chance to experience the flavors of Caribbean cuisine without straying too far out of your comfort zone.

Drink: Gring Groni

Coconut oil-washed pineapple-infused rum, bananarol, Cocchi vermouth di Torino

Credit: Grind & Prosper

Pair it with: Jerk Chicken and Gnocchi

The tropical Gring Groni combines housemade coconut oil-washed pineapple-infused rum with bananarol and Cocchi vermouth di Torino to create a rich cocktail loaded with notes of citrus and spice. It’s fun, adventurous and undeniably flavorful, making it a perfect match for their jerk chicken and gnocchi. Cooked in their coal-fired Josper Oven, Coco Maya’s jerk chicken brings together all the authentic flavor of traditional jerk chicken with a smoky finish. Combine this with rich asiago cheese-stuffed gnocchi–prepared with diced mango and brown garlic butter–and you have a food and beverage pairing that is rich, sweet, spicy and undeniably decadent.

7/15

Drink: Side Piece

Tamarind and chili oil-infused mezcal, watermelon, lime, mint

Credit: Mary Carol Fitzgerald

Credit: Grind & Prosper

Pair it with: 24-ounce Bone-In Rib Eye

The Side Piece cocktail is a mezcal-lover’s dream, made with tamarind and chili oil-infused mezcal, then finished with watermelon, lime, and mint. The smoky mezcal blends perfectly with the sweet, zesty flavors of watermelon and lime, transporting you straight to a tropical escape. Pair it with their 24-ounce bone-in ribeye, aged wet for 28 days and prepared over an open flame. Served with your choice of creamy blue cheese sauce or a spicy peppercorn glaze, this premium cut delivers a bold, flavorful punch. Together, the Side Piece and ribeye create a perfect balance of smoky, sweet, and savory flavors.

Drink: La Lechuza

Vodka, pomegranate, pineapple-hibiscus kombucha, papaya cordial, ginger

Credit: Grind & Prosper

Pair it with: Jerk Chicken

Nothing complements a San Diego sunset better than a fizzy vodka cocktail, and the La Lechuza is exactly that. This citrusy, refreshing drink combines vodka, fresh pomegranate, pineapple-hibiscus kombucha, papaya cordial, and raw ginger. Served in an owl-shaped glass, it’s the perfect pre-dinner sip. For a flavorful yet light meal, pair it with their authentic jerk chicken. Prepared in a coal-fired Josper Oven, the dish features their signature jerk sauce and fresh mango-habanero butter. This twist on traditional Caribbean flavors brings a bold and unexpected depth to every bite. In addition the chicken also comes with their cinnamon sweet potato as a side, which is simply to die for.

7/14

Drink: Peacock Ponche

Mezcal, sherry, overproof rum, Jamaica tea, grapefruit, pomegranate, honey, bubbles, nutmeg

Best Cocktails in San Diego — Credit: Grind & Prosper

Pair it with: Taste of Coco Maya

Having trouble deciding on a flavor profile or which specific piece of Caribbean cuisine you’d like to explore? Go all in and pair the Peacock Ponche with Coco Maya’s incredible tasting board, the Taste of Coco Maya. The Peacock Ponche blends mezcal, sherry, overproof rum, Jamaica tea, fresh grapefruit, pomegranate, and nutmeg. This cocktail is smoky, smooth, and refreshingly complex—perfect for an island-inspired sip. For a full culinary experience, follow it up with the Taste of Coco Maya. Additionally this tasting board features their most popular dishes. This includes a 24-ounce bone-in ribeye, authentic jerk octopus, a Caribe Caesar salad, and crispy coconut shrimp.

Drink: Marquesitas Espresso Martini

Cold brew-infused rum, vanilla-infused orgeat, coffee liqueur, salted caramel mascarpone foam

Credit: Mary Carol Fitzgerald

Pair it with: Marquesitas

Espresso martinis with dessert is a time-honored dining tradition, and Coco Maya takes this to a whole new level with their Espresso Martini and Marqesitas pairing. The Marquesitas Espresso Martini breaks the norm by using a cold brew-infused rum as the star ingredient, marrying it to perfection with orgeat and coffee liqueur, then finishing it with a salted caramel mascarpone foam topper. It’s rich, decadent and has the perfect amount of sweetness, making it a world-class dessert drink. Meanwhile, we recommend pairing this drink with their marquesitas, a popular Latin treat that combines a crispy thin waffle overflowing with Nutella, cherry jam and edam cheese filling. This combination makes for one dessert that will leave you and your table speechless.

Coco Maya
1660 India St
San Diego, CA 92101
619.848.7414
@cocomayasd