As long as they're made with fresh lime juice and agave nectar, midday margaritas are good for you. We promise.
Taste Santana's Tequila at La Condesa Napa Valley
In addition to his musical talent, Carlos Santana has quite a way with tequila. In 2011, he invested in the Casa Noble Tequila brand, joining the company as a part-owner and member of its board of directors. In August, Constellation Brands acquired Casa Noble for an undisclosed sum, retaining Santana as an equity partner and pitch man. Santana originally sought out and approached the Jalisco-based maker of single-estate organic tequilas due to its centuries-old reputation for passion and integrity. We recommend that you seek out a seat at the upcoming Casa Noble Tequila Pairing Dinner this Friday at La Condesa Napa Valley in St. Helena. Hosted by Jose “Pepe” Hermosillo, CEO and Master Distiller of Casa Noble, the five-course pairing dinner will feature five rare tequilas - including Barrel 33 of Tequila Joven, Tequila Reposado , and Barrel 138 of Tequila Añejo, 5 year - matched with dishes prepared by La Condesa Executive Chef Chris Mortenson. Dinner begins at 7pm, and the $90 per person price tag covers the meal and tequila tastings, but not tax or gratuity. Seating is limited, and reservations are available by emailing dean@lcnapa.com or by calling 707.967.8111. 1320 Main Street, St. Helena
Warm Up With Hot Cocktails at Presidio Social Club
It's unlikely to snow in San Francisco this season, but that won't stop us from dreaming of a white Christmas with a hot mug of booze in hand. So look for us at Presidio Social Club, where a brand new hot cocktail menu beckons. Choose from eight varieties of spiked coffee, hot chocolate, and tea for $11. Pick a traditional Irish Coffe, Hot Buttered Rum, or Hot Mint Chocolate, or spice things up with a Café Jalisco made with Espolon Reposado, Aleppo chili, chocolate, coffee, and freshly whipped cream. Or, if you're feeling wrecklessly refined, order the Drunken Earl, made with Wild Turkey Rye, Drambuie, and earl gray tea. 563 Ruger Street
"More Rockin" Happy Hour at Ziryab
As far as we're concerned, the only thing better than Moroccan food is Moroccan food with a cocktail. That's why we recommend Ziryab's "More Rockin" Happy Hour, happening every Monday through Thursday from 5pm to 7pm and again from 10pm until 2am. Expect $4 draft beers such as Trumer Pilsner and Mirror Pond Pale Ale, $5 house wines like Dark Horse Red and Canyon Road Pinot Grigio, and $7 hand-crafted cocktails like the Lucky Buck made with silver tequila, hibiscus and ginger beer and the Ziryab Manhattan, featuring house-made date-infused Dickel Rye. You'll also find a changing variety of small bites on the Happy Hour menu for $5 or less, such as lamb meatballs with house-made sheep yogurt, house-smoked trout on flat bread, and marinated thyme feta cheese served with Nicoise olive oil and grilled pita bread. 528 Divisadero
Holiday Hour at Farallon
Speaking of extended Happy Hours, Farallon just introduced "Holiday Hour" in the Jellyfish Lounge, where night owls can kick off the evening with $6 drink specials every Friday in December from 9pm to 10pm. Choose from eight different options, including the classics (vodka gimlet, Manhattan, margarita), a Hemingway Daiquiri, a Hinano Tahitian Lager, and glasses of merlot, sauvignon blanc, and sparkling wine. Located in Union Square, Farallon is designed to feel like an underwater fantasy world with custom-made jellyfish chandeliers, octopus bar stools, and glowing columns of kelp. 450 Post
Boozy Crab Boil at ABV
As if San Francisco needed more tempting brunch options, ABV is hosting a Boozy Crab Boil this Sunday from noon to 2pm with Imbibe magazine and Aviation Gin. Guests will be treated to a menu from ABV Chef Kevin Cimino that celebrates Dungeness crab season and invited to toast the holiday with wintry cocktails such as the Tuxedo (Aviation Gin, sherry, orange bitters) and the Red Snapper (Aviation Gin, tomato juice, lemon and spices). Guests will also receive a complimentary copy of Imbibe’s new book, Cocktails for the Holidays: Festive Drinks to Celebrate the Season. Reservations are available online for $65 per person, and seating is limited. 3174 16th Street
Send drinking suggestions to renee@grassrootspr.com.
