Tropical Mixology: The Best Cocktails in Los Cabos
Although cocktail consciousness in Los Cabos too rarely extends beyond the ubiquitous margaritas—they be found in any bar, restaurant, or beachfront cantina—the area is also home to some outstanding examples of the mixologist’s art. The best of these signature cocktails are undeniably artful and every bit as representative of local culture as the delicious regional dishes produced by top chefs in Cabo San Lucas ands San José del Cabo. But unlike a memorable dinner entrée, which may only be enjoyed once per day (and realistically, once per stay), these drinks may be enjoyed (in moderation, mind you) a bit more frequently. Here are five of my personal favorites.
If a good cocktail is a work of art, Hacienda El Coyote’s bartender, “Champion,” is the Diego Rivera of Cabo San Lucas.
Sangre del Coyote hibiscus margarita at Hacienda El Coyote This restaurant is best known for its excellent regional Mexican cuisine, but to me it will forever be known as the home of the best cocktail in Los Cabos. The margaritas and premium tequilas are highlights here. Bartender Efrén Pineda is nicknamed “Champion,” a moniker he earned by besting the field at a prestigious Partida Cocktail Challenge competition—one of many competitions he has won. His entry was the Sangre del Coyote, a sublime sweet-and-sour hibiscus margarita. Although most of the other ingredients are shrouded in mystery, it’s impossible to miss the presence of the jamaica, or hibiscus flower, since it provides the cocktail’s glorious pinkish-purple coloring. The triumphant concoction, which is partly shaken and partly blended, is a perfect combination that lingers on the palate leaving a unique taste. It is a must when you visit Cabo.
Tamarindo Martini at Cata Wine Any bartender worth his or her salt will tell you the secret to a great cocktail is a perfect balance of sweet and sour ingredients. Both should tease the taste buds, but neither should overwhelm the other. If Partida El Coyote is the best example of this maxim in Cabo San Lucas, the best example in San José del Cabo is the Tamarindo Martini at Cata Wine. After dark, the restaurant is the city’s top stop for Italian cuisine. But from noon to 5 p.m. daily, it is a cocktail lover’s idea of heaven. If you like your drinks a little sweet, by all means order the bar’s creamy coconut martini. But if you’re a sophisticated sort who appreciates a spell of happy hour harmony, drink in the tart, tangy, and oh so sweet delights of the tamarindo.
The Farm Julep at Flora Farm is one of best cocktails in Los Cabos.
Farm Julep at Flora Farm I’m something of a cocktail snob, a fact I freely admit. And since I grew up near Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, I’ve always had a rather dim view of those who take liberties with the mint julep. I’ve sneered at my share of mojitos, which from my parochial perspective is simply a Cuban version of the traditional julep, and one that lacks the punch of the original. But I’ve lightened up a tad in recent years, primarily because of my love for the Farm Julep at Flora Farm. Farm-to-table dining aficionados will love the restaurant, which is set next to a 10-acre field filled with fresh organic goodness, and cocktail connoisseurs will fall in love with the Farm Bar, where cocktail standards like the Old-Fashioned are given new twists with farm-fresh ingredients. Their julep—made with Bacardi, mint, basil, and watermelon water—is delicious and refreshing.
Cabo Fire at Cabo Lounge This locals bar has produced a number of memorable shots and cocktails, from the Little Nun (or La Monjita) to a few with names that aren’t exactly fit for polite company. Owner and bartender Juan Tatemura’s greatest and most lasting achievement, however, is certainly the Cabo Fire, one of the few flaming cocktails in Los Cabos that isn’t made with coffee. Instead, this perennially popular shooter combines vodka, banana liqueur, Cointreau, apples slices, and cinnamon powder. The shots are served on a tray that is virtually engulfed in flames, but once the wishes have been made and the fire blown out, the Cabo Fire is a surprisingly smooth sipper. It’s also very photogenic.
Waborita at Cabo Wabo Cantina OK, I couldn’t finish the list without including at least one margarita recipe. I’ve already gone on the record with my tortilla fatigue, and if I omit the country’s most beloved cocktail, there’s a good chance I may be deported. Cabo Wabo is also perhaps the most popular watering hole for visitors, so there’s a good chance if you’re on vacation you’re going to end up here at some point. If you do, the Waboritas are mandatory. Ex-Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar not only founded the bar but he also founded the house’s signature Cabo Wabo tequila, which is shaken with Cointreau, Grand Marnier and lime juice, and poured into a salt-rimmed glass. It is an undeniably tasty concoction, and if you feel as if you can’t come to México without taste testing at least one local margarita, this is the one to try.