A vibrant bouquet encased in ice catches your eye when the Elderflower G&T arrives at the table. Read moreAlvarado Street Brewery’s Carmel location brings something special to the gin and tonic.

If you had a 50-50 chance of getting a nearly-free cocktail at the bar, which one would you order? Seventh & Dolores Steakhouse in Carmel gives you the opportunity to find out with their new nightly late-night hour dubbed “Nightcap.”  Read moreSeventh & Dolores rolls out a nightly coin-flip special for anything behind the bar.

Gary Franscioni is guided by a general principle when making wine. “We don’t beat it up,” he explains. “We don’t mess with it.” Read moreA pair of Pinot Noirs from Roar winery puts the differences of location on display.

Mourvedre is one of the varietals winemakers prize for its ability to blend in. It is part of noble wines, such as Côtes du Rhône and Châteauneuf du Pape, the all-important M in GSM. And so it was at Morgan – until now. The winery just released its first single-varietal Mourvedre, a 2023 vin… Read moreMorgan’s new Mourvedre shows why the varietal is more than just a blending wine.

A Taste of Monterey is not necessarily hidden, perched as it is overlooking the bay on busy Cannery Row. But for those interested in Monterey County’s smaller labels, it is quite a gem. Read moreCarys and Reflection Ridge are two small label wines that can be found in one place.

Three things catch your attention when Ocean Strike arrives at the table. Few cocktails are so enchanting in appearance, reminiscent of the shimmering pale turquoise tidal lagoons of the Maldives. The exotic fantasy continues with each sip. Yet somewhere in the back of your mind, tapping at … Read moreA cocktail at Montrio, Tarpy’s and Rio Grill can cause reverie and help fulfill dreams.

Monterey County may not have warm tropical rain that allows tropical fruits like pineapples and mangos to flourish, but it does have rum. And according to Nellie South, assistant manager of Hula’s Island Grill in Monterey, the spirit’s popularity is on the rise. Read moreWith the popularity of rum, it’s time to explore classic tropical cocktails.

You can wager on The Puma (not a cat) or Right to Party (please invite us) or Emerging Market (note that this column does not offer investing advice). All are horses, and all are racing in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 2. And for just $2, the chance to win can be yours, no fancy hat re… Read moreThe bar at Monterey County Fairgrounds comes alive on race days, especially the Kentucky Derby.

The recently released cocktail menu at Pop & Hiss – the combo record store, bar and music venue in Pacific Grove – is full of hits, from the upbeat gin drink Genius of Love to the bluesy bourbon-based Love Me Like a Man. But even in a collection of solid jams, one stands out from the res… Read moreThe new cocktail list at Pop & Hiss draws inspiration from classic tunes.

To anyone who has ever thought of Rosé as unserious, a challenge awaits you at Tira Nanza. Forgoing the popular option of Monterey County’s ubiquitous Pinot Noir, cofounder and winemaker Greg Hill has decided to blend half Carmel Valley estate-grown Malbec with half Anderson Valley-grown fru… Read moreTira Nanza’s 100-percent Malbec Rosé drinks like a red wine, only more refreshing.

Rarely has the name of a beer been more literal. Read moreOn her way out, Peter B’s former brewmaster Natalie Mika left a hazy memory.

What should cross one’s mind when a bartender christens a cocktail in your honor? Boasting about it to friends – strangers, too – is an option. On the other hand, perhaps it says something about your drinking habits. Read moreThe new spring cocktail list at Estéban includes one of particular interest.

If someone were to mention Négrette, most people would draw a blank. A Spanish soccer star? A village in France, perhaps? Read moreAlthough few wineries dabble in Négrette, Comanche Cellars makes it a standout.

Tucked among the artful images of boba, matcha latte and horchata drinks on the menu screen at Lilikoi Boba Monterey Bay is slush that is rather simple in appearance. Read moreThere is a refreshing reward waiting for those who look past the boba drinks at Lilikoi.

If there’s a cause, there’s a cure – so why not put both in one glass? Read moreThe supreme Bloody Mary at Schooners is a cocktail that eats like a snack.

There’s something to be said about following directions. Read moreA dragonfruit and pineapple mocktail at Brass Tap in Marina packs a bite.

Imagine your neighbors have a thing for chartreuse. Read moreHula’s speakeasy features a line of cocktails from both green and yellow chartreuse.

It doesn’t make sense, yet it does. Read moreYou need a fork or spoon when you order Manasiri Crepe’s most popular latte.

Nine. You read that right—nine. Read moreBargetto’s Tuxedo Red is an interesting wine for a number of reasons.

Few beers inspire a search into the minutiae of history, but here goes: The U.S.S. Tangier was a seaplane tender during World War II. It survived Pearl Harbor and was involved in several battles. There was also a patrol vessel of the same name that operated during World War I. Read moreAn American pale ale from Alvarado Street blends hops with naval history.