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Writer's pictureJarnard Sutton

5 spots to try movie-inspired cocktails in San Diego


Cocktails and movies are a match made in heaven. What’s hotter than a cocktail with theatrics? Nothing! These San Diego bars have taken their cocktails to the next level with some movie inspiration.

Point Break Paloma | Sandbar

Courtesy of Sandbar

They only live to get radical. Sandbar knows you’ll be feeling that way after a few sips of the Point Break Paloma. Olmeca Altos Blanco tequila, fresh grapefruit juice, fresh lime juice, agave nectar, citrus soda and grapefruit bitters with a salt rim. You’ll be watching the waves break with Bodhi and Johnny Utah after a couple of these.

The Dude Abides | True North Tavern

Courtesy of Alternative Strategies

Hey, careful, man, there’s a beverage here! The Dude’s favorite beverage has undergone a little transformation at True North Tavern in North Park. The Dude’s classic White Russian has gotten a San Diego hipster twist. The mixologists over at True North have created The Dude Abides. Made with Fugu Horchata vodka, Kahlua coffee liqueur, Modern Times cold brew, cream and sprinkled with cinnamon. It’s The Big Lebowski!

3815 30th St., North Park. (619) 291-3815 or truenorthtavern.com

Frozen Pineapple Express | Tavern

Photo courtesy Tavern

The monkey’s out of the bottle, man. Head to Tavern for a good time and a Frozen Pineapple Express. Malibu pineapple rum, fresh orange and pineapple juice, spiced rum, Malibu black float and a dash of fresh lime. James Franco and Seth Rogen would approve of this drinks.

1200 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach. (858) 272-6066 or tavernatthebeach.com

Sucker Punch | Duck Dive

Courtesy Duck Dive

If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything. Duck Dive knows that and that is why they are serving up the Sucker Punch. Made with Jameson, blood orange, fresh beet cordial, ginger and bubbles. Get this cocktail in a single serving or as a bowl. Duck Dive knows that sometimes you need that extra kick in your drink.

4650 Mission Blvd., Pacific Beach. (858) 273-3825 or theduckdive.com

Unicorn Blood | El Dorado

Courtesy of Jarnard Sutton

This tequila-based libation was inspired by the award-winning movie Harry Potter. This drink is refreshing and has a tart but sweet taste to it due to the housemade syrup which is equal parts grenadine and elderflower. This tasty cocktail, created by Hallie Schieding of El Dorado, gets its color from the grenadine which gives it the pinkish color that suppose to represent the "blood" reference, even though unicorn blood is silvery in color per the books.

1030 Broadway, downtown San Diego. (619) 237-0550 or eldoradobar.com

Camp Blood | The Nardcast

Our editor, Jarnard Sutton, thought it would be cool to create a cocktail in honor of Behind the Stick's one-year anniversary. This cocktail is bright and tart. It has rum, lime juice, grapefruit juice and lavender simple syrup. The Camp Blood reference comes from our favorite slasher film, Friday the 13th. The blood reference works with the dashes of Angostura bitters.

Do you know of any cocktails inspired by movies? Let us know what they're called and where to try them!

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