Cocktails in Wine Country
Yes, I live in Sonoma and I know wine should be my go-to drink but I’ll admit I actually prefer craft cocktails: the unique spirits, hand-crafted syrups and bitters, and the beauty in all of the colors and garnishes that come with them. When I travel, it’s important to me I discover the cocktail culture. I once took a class with award-winning mixologist in Milan, Italy, tasted through agave-based spirits with a sommelier in Mexico, and sipped aguardiente in Colombia. Luckily, we have quite the list of experienced and award-winning bartenders in Sonoma that I can’t help but visit weekly. I included both the fancier and divey bars, some with food some with only snacks, but all of these are well worth the visit for several reasons.
El Dorado Kitchen
Otherwise knows as EDK, this hotel + restaurant bar takes up a corner of the downtown Sonoma Plaza and is hard to walk by without wanting to enjoy it for yourself. They’ve done a beautiful job with patio dining, complete with heaters, tents, and private cabanas and space to sit ~35 tables at a time. They are known for their craft cocktail program and they consistently win Best Bartender competitions in the area. The bar is the place to be seen and on any given day you will be seated next to local VIPs. They change their cocktail menu regularly, but here are some of my favorites right now: Alchemist Butterfly, gin, lillet, prosecco, elderflower, lemon for $13; Clear Conscience, vodka, cucumber, ginger, orange, lime, ginger ale for $14; and Old Fashioned Date, bourbon, date cordial, tiki bitters for $14 . The food is also a must-try. The menu features an array of creative California cuisine options, such as Crispy Brussel Sprouts with Almonds, Raisins, Parmesan, Honey Mustard Dressing for $13; Burrata with Huckleberry Compote, Chipotle Pepper Sauce, Crostini for $15; Tuna Poke Bowl for $22; and their popular EDK Burger with Truffle Fries for $18. www.eldoradosonoma.com
La Casa
When you need a big margarita served in a glass with the quintessential cactus stem and possibly some strawberry, mango, or peach, this is the place to go in downtown Sonoma. The decor is traditional Mexican cantina, nothing fancy, but with that fun vibe. The patio is especially nice and situated in one of the hidden Paseos downtown which experiences plenty of foot traffic. They offer top-shelf margaritas, Cadillac margaritas, Mojitos, and Piña Coladas at $9.95 and added flavors at just $ .50 (strawberry, raspberry, mango, peach, banana, pomegranata, melon). The food is prepared and presented well but don’t expect a farm-to-table kind of experience. I always go for the Taco Salad with Chicken for $15, the Chile Colorado for $19.50, or the Mariscos a la Diabla for $21.50. www.lacasarestaurants.com
Tips Roadside
This BBQ joint is located in Kenwood in the heart of Sonoma Valley Wine Country. They started with a food truck, and then another, and then a third.. and their popularity landed them their own brick-and-mortar with epic vineyard views. They have a talented team behind their craft cocktail program and a unique and delicious food menu to go with it. Want an awesome place to take your friends for happy hour? TIPS is it from 2pm-5pm each day! They have a $5 menu of food, cocktails, wine, and beer featuring things like Chicken in a Basket with Red Eye Gravy, Polenta Fries, and Queso w/ Housemade Chips, Gin and Tonic, White Wine Spritzers, and Golden Bear Blonde Ale. If you can’t make it to Happy Hour, book a table here for Sunday Brunch. (www.tipsroadside.com)
Starling Bar
This bar is truly a hidden gem, most often overlooked by tourists which is to the benefit and amusement of locals. It isn’t downtown or in any commercial area and it isn’t easily accessible by foot, but it’s off a main road that you will probably drive by at some point on your trip so keep your eyes peeled for it! It’s dark and hipster-y inside and the patio has plenty of space to hang and smoke. The cocktail menu says a lot about this place: Farmer Carrie’s Margarita, reposado tequila, strawberries, citrus, black pepper tincture, salt-&-pepper rim for $11; Bacon Bourbon Sour, bacon-infused bourbon, madeira, maple syrup, fresh citrus juice; cherry, lime, sriracha bacon for $11; Pieces-of-Eight Punch, rum, Arrack, Bonal Gentiane, Amontillado sherry, orgeat, barrel-aged cane syrup, citrus, bitters for $11; and Joe G’s Old Fashioned, Old Forester, candy-cap bitters, sugar, orange zest for $10. There isn’t regularly hot food served here, but local restaurant Girl and the Fig has set up their wood-fired pizza truck lately and they do have some craft snacks available like Cracklins with Valentina and LIme ($9), Spicy Pimento Cheese and Tortilla Chips ($9), and Jar of House Pickled Veggies w/ Crackers ($6.50). Catch live music and live karaoke throughout the week when the pandemic restrictions allow it again. (www.starlingsonoma.com)
Some more of my favorites
Hotel Bars: Layla at MacArthur, 38 North at the Fairmont, and Wit and Wisdom at The Lodge (www.macarthurplace.com, www.fairmont.com/sonoma, www.witandwisdomsonoma.com)
Try the signature cocktail and now famous Glarifee at the historic Swiss Hotel downtown Sonoma. (www.swisshotelsonoma.com)
Steiners Tavern is the dive bar downtown which is a sports bar by day, DJ night “club” by night. (www.steinerstavern.com)
Maya for an immense tequila selection. (www.mayarestaurant.com)
Oso just has a swanky city-like vibe that calls to me. (www.ososonoma.com)