¡Vamos de Fiesta! Here’s How We’re Celebrating This Year
If we had it our way, we’d be heading south of the border to celebrate Cinco de Mayo every year. Thankfully, San Diego is pretty close—in terms of distance and places to party! Authentic Mexican dishes in our city are about as abundant as air, and we can’t 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 we’re breaking down the important stuff: here are six cocktails you can enjoy on Cinco de Mayo–and where to get them. Plus, all of these tequila brands featured are proudly Mexican-owned!
La Doña
Must-Try Cocktail: Mezcal Old Fashioned with Perro De San Juan Mezcal
Kicking off our list is none other than La Doña, honorably meaning “the lady” in Spanish. And a woman she is indeed. La Doña gives the Ocean Beach neighborhood a taste of culture, serving up traditional dishes and decorated with sustainable Mazatlán-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. It’s 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
Jose’s Courtroom
Must-Try Cocktail: Guava Ginger with Corralejo Silver Tequila
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Boasting authentic Mexican with a modern twist, Jose’s 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 all—and 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 you’ve 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 Ginger’s, 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 Grill, a casual spot with the cuisine of Cinco de Mayo fantasies. Just around the corner from the bustle of the Mission Beach boardwalk, it’s the perfect starting point to your celebration—enjoy a post-dinner stroll or quick hop to the next spot afterwards! Their hand-crafted margaritas have been crowned “Best at the Beach” and are all crafted using a homemade custom-blended Guava Beach margarita mix! Buckle up and begin your drive with the Cadillac El Dorado, made with Corralejo Reposado, cointreau, Guava Beach margarita mix, fresh-squeezed lime and a Grand Marnier float. Once you’ve reached cruising speed, pair your sweet sips with a starter of jumbo coconut shrimp and pick up the pace with your choice of protein in their sizzlin’ skillet fajitas. The obvious next step is a little friendly competition at the pool table or dart board, which calls for another Cadillac.
Location: Mission Beach
Tamarindo Del Mar
Must-Try Spirit: Tears of Llorona Extra Añejo Tequila
Keeping in theme with our target ocean-inspired Mexican experience, Del Mar is an immediate “duh.” Located in northern San Diego, Del Mar means “by or of the sea” in Spanish–aka 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 Añejo Tequila, a premium, small-batch sipping tequila. Stay one with the sea and try the octopus and mahi taco or gulf shrimp diablo entrée, 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 finalé.
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 Italy’s 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. It’s an open concept to the max for easy, breezy conversation; get it flowing with the Siempre Verano, a mix of Los Arango Blanco Tequila, Xtabentún 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. If you’re ready for a second bevvy, let’s not forget the Coco Maya Coctel, a sweet-yet-forward mix of house rum blend, passionfruit, coconut cream and piña orange cordial. This is 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 Fred’s is always having people over. Our most classic San Diego spot on the list is Casa de Fred’s Tacos and Tequila in Old Town, a fan-favorite since 2001. Livened with Mexican culture every day of the week, Historic Old Town is arguably the best spot in the city to celebrate! No matter where the night takes you, you’ll find a fiesta right next to fresh ingredients with a stop at Fred’s. Begin the night on a light, refreshing note with their skinny margarita, made with Corralejo Silver Tequila, agave nectar and fresh lime juice. Pair it with any of their Baja-inspired selections and you can’t go wrong; opt for their famous fajitas, grilled chicken enchiladas or Fred’s favorite chicken verde–all served on homemade flour tortillas. If you came for a fiesta, you’re in the right place: the already upbeat mood is livened by mariachis for a proper surround-sound celebration!
Location: Old Town San Diego
Jaclyn is a sunshine chasing San Diego native with an extensive writing background. When she isn’t 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.
