Staff Picks: Our Favorite Cocktails & Mocktails

Nothing says Spring or Summer like a refreshing cocktail or mocktail! To help you find your new favorite, our staff has put together a list of our favorite drinks from SLO County bars and restaurants. These drinks feature fresh ingredients and unique flavors that are sure to please. Whether you’re looking for an alcohol-free option or a cocktail with a creative twist, we’ve got you covered. ¡Salud!

“My favorite spot to sip on a cocktail in SLO County is the rooftop terrace of High Bar at Hotel SLO. There’s a full bocce court, and you’re sitting adjacent to the Chef’s culinary garden, which feels very special! The views of Cerro San Luis and Bishop Peak are absolutely stunning—and it’s even more magical if you’re enjoying a Happy Hour drink at sunset.”

— Molly O’Brien, Associate Editor

“My favorite cocktail is the E.P. at Sidecar! I love the smoky taste of the Mezcal combined with the bold and punchy flavors of the lemon, ginger, and green chile. It is the perfect drink to enjoy over a lovely conversation with friends. Because the flavors are so strong, you really only need one. Which is saying a lot coming from a Brit!”

— George Hallam, Digital Marketing Strategist

Hands full? Just ask Siri to close your garage door!

“I am not a cocktail drinker (we are a strictly beer and wine house), but our favorite place to get a drink is Black Sheep in downtown SLO. They have a wonderful staff of bartenders that are always fun and friendly. It may not look like a kid-friendly place, but everyone that works there is always quick to greet not only Aaron and I, but Elena too. The addition of the front patio is great so we can sit outside and people watch, and the mac ’n’ cheese is always a plus.”

— Kelley Braga, Director of Marketing Operations

“My go-to cocktail is the Ron Swanson at Ember Restaurant in Arroyo Grande. Like its namesake, Ron Swanson of Parks and Recreation, I’m also a lover of bourbon, scotch, and whisky. The Lagavulin rinse and candied bacon put it over the top!”

— Amy Blasco, Executive Editor

“My favorite thing to see when I sit down at a restaurant or bar is mocktails on the menu! Getting to enjoy a delicious drink even though I choose not to drink alcohol has become an important part of which establishments I prefer when I go out with my friends. Recently, I tried the Young Woo at Taste in SLO and loved the refreshing, flavorful flavors! Since Taste was already one of my go-to restaurants, it was great to see the addition of mocktails to their menu when they expanded to a full bar!

— Tina Mitchell, Controller and Sales Assistant

“Sign me up for one Negroni + one Espresso Martini at Flour House in downtown SLO! Even better, I haven’t tried a better Caesar salad or true Neapolitan-style pizza in town. It’s consistently our top pick for dinner and drinks with visiting friends and family.”

— Tyler Ellison, Contributor

“My favorite cocktail is the Belladonna at The Alchemists’ Garden in Paso, a restaurant and bar that is unlike anything else on the Central Coast. Every drink and menu item is unique and makes some part of you truly believe in magic again. The Belladonna is their take on the classic tiki “Painkiller,” made with butter-washed rum, falernum, pineapple, orange, and creme of coconut.”

— Sarah Kathleen Leader, Contributor

“While I may be a college student, I do enjoy an upscale cocktail every once and a while. My personal favorite is the Hey Girl Hey from Flour House in downtown SLO. However, if you’re looking for a good beer in a fun setting, I recommend going to Barrelhouse Brewery and getting a Mango IPA!

— Skyllar Evans, Marketing Intern

“I love Rod & Hammer’s refreshing Lavender Lemonade cocktail, made with vodka, St. Germain elderflower liqueur, lavender, and lemon. And the place has such a cool vibe, either inside on a leather couch or out on the patio next to a fire pit and under a blanket.”

— Wendy Thies Sell, Contributor

“I love the HoneyPot from Bear and the Wren, along with their gluten-free ricotta and honey pizza! If you’re in the mood for something non-alcoholic, I recommend the agave-sweetened lemonade with salt on the rim. Oh, and don’t forget to grab a bag of complimentary artisan gummy bears on your way out!”

— Carla Cary, Marketing Strategist