When in Santa Barbara, it doesn’t take lengthy to begin craving a Margarita. Credit score the sun-soaked seashores, the stroll from Stearns Wharf to the Funk Zone to State Road, or the attractive Mission Revival structure. Regardless of the cause, there are many bars and eating places in Santa Barbara serving wonderful takes on the traditional—listed here are a few of my favorites.
Djinn
The Resort Californian’s intimate Moroccan-style foyer bar doesn’t have a Margarita on its menu. Nevertheless, the bartenders are inventive and expert sufficient to invent their very own model on the fly. Throughout a latest go to, bartender Will Caird shook up a fall Margarita. It was sweetened with St. George spiced pear liqueur and a housemade pumpkin spice syrup, which was initially created for his or her September full-moon occasion cocktail.
Nightfall Bar
This cocktail bar by night time/espresso store by day opened simply this yr. However it’s already topped my listing as a must-visit drinks vacation spot. The cocktail menu by beverage director John Hardin stands out not just for its enjoyable and different choices however for the housemade components: liqueurs, infused spirits, and flavored salt and sugar for rims. Harden prefers making his personal components because it permits him to raised management his cocktails’ flavors. For his Picante Amante, a prickly pear Margarita, he makes a prickly pear cordial, habanero tincture, and peppercorn salt.
Finch & Fork
After touring the purple tile–roofed historic landmarks round downtown, duck into the Kimpton Canary Resort off State Road. The foyer’s restaurant bar, Finch & Fork, affords cocktails made with native components and spirits by the close by Ventura Spirits and Cutler’s Artisan Spirits. Chill out on one of many barstools or sink into a settee within the foyer with the Smoke & Honey (tequila, mezcal, bitters, native honey, and lemon juice). Or order one in all their seasonal drinks, such because the Scorching Pink, a spicy watermelon Margarita.
Flor de Maiz
A wide range of Margaritas—fruity riffs, spicy variations, and even a $120 “VIP” take (made with a premium añejo tequila)—fuels the festivities at this common beachside eatery by native restaurateur Carlos Luna (Santo Mezcal, Taqueria La Unica). For many who can’t get a seat on the bar, servers wheel a Margarita cart across the restaurant, guaranteeing that everybody is handled to a tableside present. Can’t determine which drink to order? When he’s behind the bar, bar supervisor and drink creator Marcos Altamirano will fortunately stroll you thru the menu. Or, if ordering from the cart, examine with Frankie Carachure, who additionally mans the cart at Luna’s different restaurant, Los Agaves on Milpas Road. Personally, I like to recommend the Margarita Tamarindo Con Chile made with serrano-infused tequila, tamarindo syrup, and contemporary lime juice.
The Good Lion
This award-winning bar within the Arts District is my go-to for a number of the greatest cocktails on the town. Expert bartenders combine drinks utilizing produce from native farms and high quality spirits. And anybody is bound to discover a new favourite on the in depth menu, which incorporates “Present Hits.” There’s additionally an inventory that cites each traditional cocktail by class. However their Jaguar Moon is a contemporary tackle the Margarita, combining blanco tequila, manzanilla sherry, inexperienced pepper, cucumber, lime juice, pineapple juice, and soda.
Check Pilot
This Funk Zone tropical bar (by the identical hospitality group behind The Good Lion and Shaker Mill) options nautical decor, boozy slushies, and ample lounge and patio seating. And though it’s identified for enjoyable and creative drinks like a Thai iced tea–impressed cocktail garnished with ardour fruit bursting boba, its Spicy Margarita warrants a go to. Made with blanco tequila, lemon juice, golden beet, ginger, honey, pineapple juice, and citrus bitter, you may order it to be as spicy as you dare. They offer you a scale of 1 to five, with the latter being “mouth on fireplace” spicy.
