Clockwise from far left : a bartender making mojitos at The Rooftop Lounge ; Ahba ’ s Slow Dayzzz cocktail , crafted with local Slowdays gin ; the salted rosemary latte at Zinc Cafe ; Poke Tiki ’ s strawberry hibiscus tea |
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BOTTOM ROW , FROM LEFT : WALES COMMUNICATIONS ; ASHLEY RYAN ; COURTESY OF ZINC CAFE |
keeping things simple yet delicious . The addition of a few select herbs to a morning coffee , for instance , can make any day brighter . While there are numerous offerings to be enjoyed — either iced or hot — the lavender latte has been a mainstay for good reason . But a similar beverage was added to the menu in the fall : the salted rosemary latte . This coffee drink is crafted using a house-made simple syrup , in which dried rosemary is simmered in a sugar-water solution for 30 minutes ; sea salt is also sprinkled in . Grab this divine concoction morning or midday , as any time is ideal for its vivid flavor — and the herbal scent of the rosemary sprig that completes the latte isn ’ t bad either . ( 949-494-6302 ; zinccafe . com )
THE ROOFTOP LOUNGE While the exact origin story is up for debate , it is no secret that the mojito is a refreshing gift that Cuba gave the world . The simple combination of rum , lime , simple syrup and a generous amount of muddled mint leaf makes it one of the most iconic cocktails in history , and no one does a mojito better than The
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Rooftop Lounge . Enjoy this classic cocktail , made with Mahina Platinum rum from the Caribbean , in the original lime flavor or opt for varieties such as mango , berry or tropical while overlooking the Pacific Ocean from the restaurant ’ s deck — a rite of passage for Laguna locals . Garnished with a chunk of sugar cane , the cool mint leaves make this an exhilarating sip to enjoy in California ’ s endless sunshine . ( 949-497-2446 ; rooftoplagunabeach . com )
AHBA Garden elements are often an addition to a drink , meant to act as a complement . However , ask for a cocktail made with Slowdays gin — which was developed by Jared Murphy , a local resident and bartender at Hotel Laguna — and that expectation flips entirely . “ Slowdays is a modern gin with a refreshing and rich flavor profile driven by hibiscus , citrus , cinnamon , and ginger rather than traditional dry botanicals ,” Murphy says . At Ahba , the bar team is well-versed in utilizing this locally designed gin , as they have developed a drink called Slow Dayzzz that combines the liquor with sweet
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vermouth , pink peppercorn , lavender honey , lemon and soda , all served over crushed ice and garnished with fresh lavender , for layer upon layer of flavor with each sip . ( 949-549- 4556 ; eatahba . com )
POKE TIKI Laguna Beach is best known for its stunning coastline , quaint coves and colorful sunsets , and the strawberry hibiscus tea at Poke Tiki is the perfect metaphor for all of these things : Vibrant and fresh , it ’ s the ideal sweet treat without the sugar , offering a refreshing blend of flavors that can brighten any day . The drink features hibiscus flowers , which are high in antioxidants and can also aid in weight loss , as well as apples , fresh strawberries , rosebuds and citrus peel ; opt to add boba to make the drink really pop . Served cold , this drink is a light , invigorating beverage that pairs perfectly with the eatery ’ s rice and poke bowls . Other botanical-inspired drinks here include the jasmine or rose milk teas and an array of matcha lattes , such as original , strawberry and mango . ( 949-303-3417 ; poketiki . com ) g
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LAGUNA BEACH MAGAZINE 29 |