November 2023
Taste Spirits
El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel Santa Barbara “Inspired by the breathtaking fall sunsets that paint the skies with hues of red, orange, and yellow, this aperitif captures the magic of this season,” says El Encanto (belmond. com/elencanto) bartender Stefano Gonzagui. It’s named for the bucolic road that winds through the foothills of Santa Barbara’s Riviera neighborhood past ocean and city views on its way to the five-star resort. Showcasing the resort’s proprietary Woodinville Rye, the drink is flavored with crushed basil, a touch of honey, maraschino syrup, and the bright essence of blood orange. It’s a tribute to “the abundant resources found along the Santa Barbara coast,” says Gonzagui.
3. Shake it Off! Pearl Social Santa Barbara “Bringing spice and life to usher in the new fall season, 96 NOVEMBER 2023 / 805LIVING.COM
this festive drink is made with chai tea–infused vodka,” says Pearl Social (pearlsocialsb. com) mixologist Alex Krause. Almond milk and pumpkin syrup add creaminess, depth, and flavor. The topper—made with brown sugar and some of the chai-flavored vodka— adds both visual appeal and mouthfeel. “We make little pearls, which burst in your mouth,” says Pearl Social bar team member Maximilan Hill, “delivering a sweet hit to an otherwise fairly dry cocktail.”
4. Gimme S’More Old-Fashioned The Leta Bar at The Leta Hotel Goleta When asked to name the quintessential autumn concoction, many cocktail aficionados might cite the classic old-fashioned, with its depth, darkness, booziness, and delicious balance of sweet and sour flavors. For a spin on this classic, mixologist Martin Elizondo of The Leta Bar (theleta.com) infuses
bourbon with cacao nibs. He combines that with a graham cracker syrup and a few dashes of Angostura bitters. Served over a large ice cube, “it reminds me of sitting by the fire,” says Elizondo.
5. Alfa Launch Nella Kitchen & Bar Los Olivos “This drink is a take on an arugula bee’s knees cocktail with an extra Italian touch to add complexity and balance out the flavors,” says Nella (nellakitchen.com) bartender Chris Hewes. Persimmons flourish in the Santa Ynez Valley in the fall, and Hewes says he infuses Bar Hill Gin with their “sweet and savory” flavor. In a cocktail shaker, he combines lemon juice; syrup made with Caledonia Spirits honey from Montpelier, Vermont; and Ischia Sapori Rucolino Liqueur, an arugulabased amaro that he describes as “herbaceous, peppery, and refreshing.” Next, he muddles that mixture with arugula. He adds his
persimmon-infused gin, ice, and—to give it a frothy head— a few drops of Ms. Better’s Bitters Miraculous Foamer emulsifier. Then he shakes it. “This is a perfect fall cocktail that preps you for the winter,” Hewes says.
6. Otoños de Guayaba La Cosecha Bar + Restaurant Paso Robles The name of this drink translates to “Autumn’s Guavas.” To prepare it, La Cosecha (lacosechabr.com) bar manager Garrett Enger begins by mixing blanco tequila with cinnamon, guava juice, and a splash of pineapple juice to “perfectly complement the earthy notes of the tequila,” he says, “and to mimic the beauty of autumn.” A splash of lime juice adds a refreshing tart note. “As you sip,” says La Cosecha co-owner Matt Carfagnini, “it’s like experiencing a harmonious blend of summer’s nostalgia and the approaching comfort of autumn.”
3: ALEX KRAUSE; 4: COURTESY OF THE LETA BAR; 6: LA COSECHA BAR
2. Alameda Padre Serra