Best Fall Drinks In Orange County
Here in Orange County, we don't really feel fall like the rest of the country. But it is still a time of the year that's hard not to love. Football season is in full swing, apples are in season and we can say goodbye to 90-degree days for a while. One of the best things about fall is the beverages that are the signature of the season. From an Oktoberfest beer to cocktails made with apples, here are some of the best beverages you'll be able to get in Orange County this fall.
Tustin Brewing Company
13011 Newport Ave., Suite 100
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 665-2337
www.tustinbrewery.com
When it comes to beverages, very few things say fall like an Oktoberfest beer. Tustin Brewing has a German-style Oktoberfest, but if you want to partake, you better get it while you can. The beer is available beginning in September and is the brewery's most popular seasonal ale. At 5.5 percent ABV, it goes down easy and you can enjoy more than one (that is the point of Oktoberfest after all) without feeling like this beer has gone completely to your head.
Antonello Ristorante
3800 S. Plaza Drive
Santa Ana, CA 92704
(714) 751-7153
www.antonello.com
One of the great tastes of fall is the Bosc pear. They can look a little intimidating considering they're colored unlike any other fruit, but they are a real treat. At Antonello, you can celebrate fall with a Pear-fecto. It is a cocktail containing pear vodka, St. Germain, moscato and Sprite. The piece de resistance is the slice of Bosc pear used as garnish. This is such a good cocktail, you just might find yourself making these at home for you and your guests.
Wild Goose Tavern
436 E. 17th St.
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
(949) 722-9453
www.goosebar.com
If there is a fruit that symbolizes fall, it's the apple. Any place can serve you an apple martini, which will get you where you're going but with a headache. The Wild Goose offers something called the Apple Fashion, which is much different and better than just your average apple martini. It starts with Bulleit rye (a good start), and also includes apple bitters, sugar and homemade apple chips. The apple chips give you the taste of fall while the rye warms you up on those cooler nights.
The Crow Bar
2325 E. Pacific Coast Highway
Corona Del Mar, CA 92625
(949) 675-0070
www.crowbarcdm.com
If you're looking for a truly unique apple martini, The Crow Bar is the place to go. It features Caruso rum, an apple slice, lemon juice, simple syrup, soda, half an egg white and is topped with cinnamon and nutmeg. Be sure you take a sniff before you consume this one. This smells like apple pie in a glass, and that can't be a bad thing.
SOL Cocina
251 E Pacific Coast Highway
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 675-9800
www.solcocina.com
October is more than just the month for Halloween and the World Series. It's also Breast Cancer Awareness Month. SOL Cocina is doing its part for the cause by participating in a breast cancer awareness event. At this event, SOL will serve a Ta-Ta Tini – blue agave tequila infused with watermelon and hibiscus – to make it pink and show support for the cause. Each Ta-Ta Tini will sell for $10, and all of the proceeds will go to benefit breast cancer research.
Gary Schwind is a freelance writer covering all things Orange County. His work can be found on Examiner.com.
