A-14 • August–September ’11 • www.HotinNorthCounty.com Find more entertainment at www.HotinNorthCounty.com
Happy Hour Happy Hour
El Torito 1068 N. El Camino Real, Encinitas 92024 2693 Vista Way, Oceanside 92054 (760) 479-0003 Established in 1954, almost everyone knows how great the food is at El Torito. They use the finest ingredients and make their salsas throughout each day. Their tableside guacamole is prepared right before your eyes and is absolutely amazing. Chips and tortillas are served hot and fresh. Margaritas are to die for. Try their newest 3-Course Meximeal Deal for only $11.99. The 3-Course Meximeal Deal is served daily and consists of Mexican Caesar Salad or Tortilla Soup, one of their award-winning entrees, and dessert! Happy Hour is Mon-Fri from 2pm to 8pm (in the Cantina). $3 Margaritas, $3 domestic draft beers, $3 well drinks, $3 house wine. Ask about their many discounted appetizers. www.eltorito.com
Blue Fire Grill at La Costa Resort & Spa 2100 Costa del Mar Rd., Carlsbad, CA 92009 Basil Lemondrop: Grey Goose le Citron Vodka, Cointreau, muddled with fresh sweet basil, lemon, simple syrup. $15.
Canapés 1032 W. San Marcos Blvd. #196, San Marcos 92078 Margarita: Tequila, triple sec, margarita mix. $6. Pina Colada: Rum, coconut juice, lime. $6. Rum Runner: Rum, mango puree. $6.
Tony’s Jacal 621 Valley Avenue, Solana Beach 92075 Frozen Margarita: $6.50, Margarita on-the-rocks: $6, Cadillac Margarita: (not shown) Premium Tequila, triple sec, sweet & sour, side shot Grand Marnier.
Q Restaurant and Sports Bar 2725 Vista Way, Oceanside 92054 Blue Devil: Passion Fruit Vodka, Blue Curacao, Bacardi 151 Rum, peach schnapps, pineapple juice, sweet and sour, Sprite. (designated driver recommended) $25.
Sbicca 215 15th Street, Del Mar 92014 Blood Orange Drop: Skyy Blood Orange Vodka, Triple Sec, Evolution Orange Juice, Blood Orange Liquor, shake till chilled, strain into a raw sugar rimmed glass, float Solerno on top, garnish w/orange wedge. $9.
Joey’s Smokin’ BBQ and Doc’s Saloon 6955 El Camino Real #107 Carlsbad 92009 Mimosa: With breakfast or anytime –Champaign and orange juice $2.99, Sweet 16 Aztec: (not shown) 24% fermented rum, vodka, triple sec, cranberry and pineapple juice $6.50
SUMMERTIME COCKTAILS Continued from page A-8 custom-made extra-premium Mint Juleps, at a cost of $1,000 each, have been served with proceeds supporting charities dedicated to retired racehorses. Wine snobs, cover your ears. The latest buzz, at the moment, is about “fermented” spirits which are spirits that are “fermented” verses “distilled.” This is how wine is made. Hard liquor is fermented then distilled. Fermenting is the process of adding sugar and yeast. Fermented spirits skip the distilling process. So, now you can have fermented tequila, vodka or gin, etc; but you can drink two to three times as much and still stay under the legal limit. Fermented spirits pack a punch, just as wine and beer do, but you just may prefer the smoother tasting fermented liquor to the bite of distilled. Owner of Canapés restaurant in San Marcos, James Allyn, says, “The low alcohol (healthier) cocktail using fermented spirits verses distilled, is an innovative way to enjoy a cocktail with food. It’s more friendly, whereas the food isn’t masked by the overpowering high alcohol drink.” How about fermented tequila used in a margarita? San Gabriel Beverage Group carries a product called La Quinta Agave Wine. Popular in Mexico for some time, it is produced through fermentation of the agave plant and fortified with agave spirits to produce a genuine tequila aroma and taste. It’s available up to 24% alcohol by volume so it is classified as a wine, and this way it can be served in restaurants that have only a beer and wine license instead of a liquor license. Some savvy breakfast spots such as Joey’s Smokin’ BBQ and Doc’s Saloon are now able to serve Bloody Marys with breakfast, and cocktails with dinner.