Ā”Vamos de Fiesta! Hereās How Weāre Celebrating This Year
If we had it our way, weād be heading south of the border to celebrate Cinco de Mayo every year. Thankfully, San Diego is pretty closeāin terms of distance and places to party! Authentic Mexican dishes in our city are about as abundant as air, and we canāt forget about the spicy, sweet sips that go with them! Celebrate Cinco de Mayo properly by having a little tequila with your taco or some mezcal with your mole while you indulge in the traditional Mexican fare that earns San Diego supremacy. It goes without saying the food will be incredible, so weāre breaking down the important stuff: here are six cocktails you can enjoy on Cinco de Mayoāand where to get them. Plus, all of these tequila brands featured are proudly Mexican-owned!
La DoƱa
Must-Try Cocktail: Mezcal Old Fashioned with Perro De San Juan Mezcal
Kicking off our list is none other than La DoƱa, honorably meaning āthe ladyā in Spanish. And a woman she is indeed. La DoƱa gives the Ocean Beach neighborhood a taste of culture, serving up traditional dishes and decorated with sustainable MazatlĆ”n-inspired pieces and artwork. Even if your drink is chilled, keep cozy on their spacious fire pit-lined outdoor patio area! Our drink of choice is a new-style classic: go for the Mezcal Old Fashioned, crafted with premium Perro De San Juan Mezcal.
Itās a little smoky and a little sweet, topped with agave nectar, mezcal, mole bitters and lemon oil. Pair it with a classic entrada like the el ceviche verde, followed by the blackened mahi tacos topped with mango and jicama (a la plancha) and your Cinco de Mayo has officially begun. Extensive vegan options are also available; try the cauliflower or mushroom tacos for a saucy veggie experience!
Location: Ocean Beach
Joseās Courtroom
Must-Try Cocktail: Guava Ginger with Corralejo Silver Tequila
Boasting authentic Mexican with a modern twist, Joseās Courtroom is a must-visit for any complete San Diego Cinco de Mayo experience. Rice and beans go best with a breathtaking ocean view, after allāand their central La Jolla location delivers. Heavy on the high-quality, they offer an extensive selection of margaritas and cocktails made with top-shelf and boutique tequilas and mezcals along with plenty of fan-favorite Mexican beers. Get it going with the Guava Ginger, made with Corralejo Silver Tequila, triple sec, fresh lime juice agave, guava juice and ginger beer. Once youāve got a little paradise gracing your palate, kick back and enjoy ocean serenity over a shared appetizer like the Dip Trio, a lineup of queso, guacamole and elote. We also love the surf and turf burrito, stuffed with juicy carne asada, ranchero shrimp creamy chipotle, salsa fresca, guacamole and jack cheese. Another round of Guava Gingerās, please!
Location: La Jolla
Guava Beach Bar & Grill
Must-Try Cocktail: Classic Cadillac El Dorado with Corralejo Reposado Tequila
Let the groove in at Guava Beach Bar and Grillāa casual coastal spot serving up all your Cinco de Mayo cravings. Just steps from the buzz of the Mission Beach boardwalk, itās the perfect place to kick things off. After dinner, take a sunset stroll or head to your next stop with zero regrets. Their hand-crafted margaritas are a must. In fact, theyāve been crowned āBest at the Beach,ā thanks to their custom-blended Guava Beach margarita mix. Buckle up and begin with the Cadillac El Dorado. Itās made with Corralejo Reposado, Cointreau, fresh-squeezed lime, and a Grand Marnier float.
Pair your sweet sips with jumbo coconut shrimp to start. Then turn up the heat with sizzling skillet fajitasāchoose your favorite protein and dive in. When the vibes are right, grab a cue and challenge your crew to a game of pool or darts. Another Cadillac, anyone?
Location: Mission Beach
Tamarindo Del Mar
Must-Try Spirit: Tears of Llorona Extra AƱejo Tequila
Keeping in theme with our target ocean-inspired Mexican experience, Del Mar is an immediate āduh.ā Located in northern San Diego, Del Mar means āby or of the seaā in Spanishāaka our constant state of desire. Located in the heart of the village, Tamarindo Del Mar serves dishes inspired by the rich flavors of traditional Latin American cuisine. The interior is set much like the classic Mexican restaurants we know and love, and the outdoor patio is complete with charcoal fire pits underneath a colorful shade ceiling.
Jump-start the fiesta with a neat pour of Tears of Llorona Extra AƱejo Tequila, a premium, small-batch sipping tequila. Stay one with the sea and try the octopus and mahi taco or gulf shrimp diablo entrƩe, or go ultra-classic with the Oaxacan fig mole. Leave happy and hop just across the street to catch the sunset at the beach for your Cinco grand finalƩ.
Location: Del Mar
Coco Maya
Must-Try Cocktail: Siempre Verano with Los Arango Blanco Tequila
Sport a little sunshine with your good time at Little Italyās Coco Maya! Inspired by the history of the island culture of the Caribbean, this Latin-American-inspired restaurant will bring a touch of Spanish influence to your Cinco celebration. The vibe is bright and botanical with marble tables and lush greenery surrounding every seat. Itās an open concept to the max for easy, breezy conversation; get it flowing with the Siempre Verano, a mix of Los Arango Blanco Tequila, XtabentĆŗn liqueur, mango, cucumber tonic, aloe and hibiscus.
Pair your sips with a plate of one of their many options straight from their traditional Spanish-inspired charcoal oven, such as the Alaskan halibut or filet mignon. When you’re ready for another, try the Coco Maya Coctel. This sweet-yet-forward mix of house rum blend, passionfruit, coconut cream and piƱa orange cordial is delicious. You are at Coco Maya, after all. A certain amount of coconut consumption is recommended!
Location: Little Italy
Casa de Fred’s Old Town
Must-Try Cocktail: The Skinny with Corralejo Silver Tequila
What are you guys doing for Cinco de Mayo? We hear Fredās is always having people over. Our most classic San Diego spot on the list is Casa de Fredās Tacos and Tequila in Old Town. A fan-favorite since 2001, it brings vibrant energy and flavor to the cityās most historic neighborhood. Livened with Mexican culture every day of the week, Old Town is the perfect place to celebrate somethingāor nothing at all. No matter where the night leads, Fredās is where the fiesta starts (and usually ends).
Begin on a light note with their skinny margarita. Itās made with Corralejo Silver Tequila, agave nectar, and fresh lime juice. Pair it with any of their Baja-inspired dishes, and youāre golden. You canāt go wrong with their famous fajitas, grilled chicken enchiladas, or Fredās favorite chicken verde. Everything is served on homemade flour tortillas, of course. As if the vibe wasnāt festive enough, mariachis fill the air with music for a true surround-sound celebration.
Location: Old Town San Diego
Jaclyn is a sunshine chasing San Diego native with an extensive writing background. When she isnāt word-smithing, you can find her playing beach volleyball, skating the boardwalk, or on a rooftop enjoying a drink in the sunshine with her pals.
