The best winter rum cocktails in San Diego

You’ll be hard pressed to find a cocktail bar in San Diego that’s cooler or more unique than Realm of the 52 Remedies. Part speakeasy, part Chinese apothecary, Realm of the 52 Remedies is a true hidden gem within an unassuming strip mall in Kearny Mesa’s Convoy District. Snag a seat at the illuminated jade bar and order a Chungking Express, combining Kasama Rum, Awayuki Gin, fassionola syrup, vegan vanilla yogurt, a mint bouquet and pineapple spear. The bartenders describe it as bright and fruit forward with a velvety yet refreshing finish. Kasama is a Filipino rum named after the word for “together,” aged for seven years in ex-bourbon American oak barrels that produce a golden rum with notes of sweet pineapple, vanilla and sea salt.

Climb aboard this rotating carousel bar—don’t worry, it moves slowly so you won’t get motion sickness—and enjoy a cocktail with a side of amusement park nostalgia. While the focal point of this Parisian-style bistro is a historic carousel built in 1882, the food and drinks certainly should not be overlooked. Wolfie’s serves up a smooth St. Barts cocktail with dark rum, ginger, orgeat syrup, pineapple and Peychaud’s Bitters. You’d be remiss if you didn’t also indulge in some chilled oysters, steak or moules frites while there... Why not give it a whirl?

You know it’s going to be a strong cocktail when there’s a limit on how many you can order. A vegan restaurant with gothic-chic decor, Kindred slings King Friday cocktails with three types of rum (151 Demerara, Navy Strength and light rum), allspice, rhubarb amaro liqueur, pineapple, lime, coconut, chamomile and vanilla. This potent concoction has a limit of two per guest. Pro tip: upgrade the experience by getting your King Friday in a take-home cosmic skull mug. Help soak up all that booze with a jackfruit barbecue sandwich or fried dill pickle slices.

Drown your troubles in a KEX Painkiller (or two) at Kettner Exchange, made with a blend of seven types of rum, pineapple, lime, passionfruit and coconut. While it may not rid you of your ailments, it will certainly help get the party started. Beware: this sweet, creamy drink goes down easily. Take breaks in between sips to stare out at the San Diego Bay from the rooftop at Kettner Exchange, or order some small plates from the kitchen like duck meatballs, spicy shrimp or a pork belly steam bun.

There’s certainly no shortage of rum drinks at tiki bar The Grass Skirt, but the Lilikoi Mojito is a light sipper that will transport you to paradise, even if it’s only in your mind. Made with white rum, amaro liqueur, passionfruit, lime, orgeat syrup, mint, and Angostura Bitters, the Lilikoi Mojito pairs nicely with The Grass Skirt’s tropical tiki decor, fire features and other theatrical effects. Pupu platters in the form of albacore poké bowls, short rib tacos and shrimp-and-pork wontons are served here alongside their mini umbrella drinks. Don’t be thrown off by The Grass Skirt’s speakeasy-style entrance (hint: look next door at their poké shop Good Time Poké) that adds to the mystique of this Pacific Beach locale. 

With more than two million sold, the World Famous Bali Hai Mai Tai has quite a reputation. There’s NO juice in this cocktail, so it’s not for the lightweights. Billed as “quite possibly the strongest drink you’ll ever consume” (and they’re not wrong), the cocktail has Cruzan aged light rum, Coruba Jamaican dark rum, a dash of Trader Vic’s orgeat syrup, a dash of Triple Sec liqueur and a splash of sweet & sour mix. This Polynesian restaurant overlooking the bay on Shelter Island is a San Diego institution built in 1953, and is still one of the oldest mid-century tiki establishments that’s still thriving today.

A speakeasy tiki bar located inside Craft & Commerce, False Idol is a tropical paradise filled with fire and ice elements. The drink menu reads as a tribute to other well-known tiki bars or cocktails throughout history such as the Coronado Luau Special. Previously served at Hotel del Coronado’s now defunct Luau Room, this drink blends lightly aged rum and black rums with brandy, dry curacao, orgeat syrup, lemon and orange. While False Idol is located in Little Italy, those who have been in San Diego long enough will remember drinking these cocktails in Coronado between 1949-1969.

In Sheep’s Clothing is a jazzed up alternative to a traditional French 75 or Airmail cocktail that goes down like a refreshing cider. Made with aged Agricole rhum, apple brandy, honey, lime, sparkling wine and mint, this refreshing cocktail makes you forget you’re in a bar buried within UTC shopping mall in La Jolla. There’s a hidden entrance to access this impeccably designed bar with an old-world vibe, but since Raised by Wolves doesn’t serve food, you may want to hit the food court beforehand. Be sure to make a reservation before showing up.

Served in a hollowed out coconut, the Caribe Welcome is an homage to the Caribe Hilton in Puerto Rico, where it was served as a welcome drink to guests back in 1953. Originally created as a non-alcoholic drink, local rum was later added to spice things up. Today it’s made with Puerto Rican rum, apricot brandy, Coco Lopez cream of coconut, coconut water and fresh lime juice. Miss B’s Coconut Club is a Caribbean-inspired restaurant in Mission Beach with no shortage of rum. The plantain coconut shrimp are a best-seller, and the jerk chicken wrap isn’t far behind.

This underground speakeasy lounge in the Gaslamp Quarter has a 1920s feel to it. Listen to live music while sipping on a Lime in the Coconut (and don’t call me in the morning…), made with RumHaven Caribbean Rum, lime, pineapple, Giffard vanilla liqueur and allspice. Look for the unassuming law office door at street level to make your way to Prohibition, located beneath Havana 1920 Cuban restaurant that has a dedicated rum list from countries around the world. Welcome to rum central.

If it’s a daiquiri you’re craving, Polite Provisions turns out a nice variation that combines white rum, cognac, cinnamon, falernum syrup and lime. The Boukman Daiquiri gives off strong island vibes at North Park’s swanky apothecary-style cocktail bar, framed by an atrium and wall-to-wall windows. Note that they don’t serve food here, so plan to come fed. And for those who want to up their mixology game at home, Polite Provisions offers cocktail and spirit classes throughout the year to teach you the art of drink-making. Sign us up!