DRINK MENU

Best Cocktails in San Diego

Not to toot our own horn, but we have an endless amount of superb recipes under our apron, and with the earth as our inspiration, we can't help but guarantee that the next batch of cocktails will be just as fun and inventive as the last.

So please don't JUST think of Cafe 21 as a restaurant with great cocktails or the nearest cocktail bar in your neighborhood. We are hoping to earn your kudos and praise, finding Cafe 21 synonymous with "best cocktails in San Diego."

SEPTEMBER DRINK OF THE MONTH - SACRO IMPERIO Mezcal Artesanal | Leblon Cachaça | Pineapple Jalapeño Puree | Lime Juice | Chipotle Syrup

In celebration of Labor Day our Cafe 21 mixologists have concocted a tasty drink to honor one of our amazing staff members. The Pablito will be available August 28th thru September 30th. Named after our forever smiling and very dedicated team member Pablo! We toast to his hard work and dedication to the Cafe 21 family and hope that you come in and try out this limited time cocktail at our Gaslamp location.

 

MUGTAILS

  • PEPPED UP PIG
    Tito’s Vodka, Cucumber, Celery, Jalapeno, Pineapple, Parsley
    12
  • MONKEY BUSINESS
    Tequila, Chipotle, Mango, Salt
    12
  • LOVE BIRDS
    Mocha Stout, Vanilla Ice Cream
    12

COCKTAILS

  • VODKA - SPRING THYME
    Tito's Vodka, FRUITLAB Ginger Liqueur, Thyme, Turmeric, Lemon
    13
  • VODKA - CARDOMONY
    Tito’s Vodka, Black Cardamom Syrup, Lime
    12
  • GIN - BEETLE JUICE
    CITY Bright Gin, FRUITLAB Ginger Liqueur, Blueberry Beet Shrub, Lemon
    12
  • GIN - GOOD GINS
    Earl Grey-Infused Martin Miller's Gin, Honey, Lemon Juice
    12
  • RUM - CUCU COOLER
    Leblon Cachaça, Cucumber, Sugar, Lime
    12
  • RUM - SILK ROAD
    CUROSE Spiced Rum, Chai Syrup, Cointreau, Orange, Egg White, Lemon
    14
  • BOURBON - DATE ME
    Buffalo Trace, Date Extract, Egg White, Lemon
    14
  • BOURBON - SAY MY NAME, PEACH!
    Old Forester, Honey Peach Papaya Shrub, Lemon
    12
  • AGAVE - SANDIA BEACH
    Dulce Vida Tequila, Watermelon Puree, Simple Syrup, Lime Juice
    12
  • AGAVE - CUPID’S THORN
    Verde Momento Mezcal, Ginja9 Cherry Liqueur, Lemon
    13

FLIGHTS

  • SANGRIA FLIGHT
    Fruit-Infused Wine >> Made in House with Simple, Real Ingredients - | Goblet 10 | Pitcher 21
    21
  • MIMOSA FLIGHT
    Flavors Changes Daily! | 1 Glass Specialty Mimosa 8 |
    21
  • MOJITO FLIGHT
    Five Tasting Glasses of Fresh Mint, Rum, Sugar, Seasonal Fruit Purees
    21

SHAREABLE SIGNATURE COCKTAIL

  • SPIRIT OF THE PARTY
    Unique Bottle Service Experience for Groups of 2+ - Ask Your Server About Our Botanically-Infused Spirit Offerings
    50

CRAFT ON DRAFT

Selections are Seasonal & Subject to Change
  • 32 North PILSNER THE CONQUEROR 5.5%
    7.5
  • Harland BLONDE 4.7%
    8
  • Abnormal ABNORMALWEISS HEFE 5.3%
    7.75
  • 32 North PENNANT PALE ALE 5.5%
    7.50
  • Harland IPA 7.0%
    8.50
  • Abnormal MOCHA STOUT 5.1%
    8.25
  • JuneShine SEASONAL KOMBUCHA 6.0%
    9
  • Bivouac SD JAM BLACKBERRY CIDER 6.0%
    11

BLOODY MARYS

  • PRAWN STAR
    House Red Mix, Pickled Veggies, Jumbo Peel-and-Eat Prawn
    15
  • OL’ YELLO’ MARY
    Fresh Yellow Heirloom Tomato, Pickled Veggies, Grilled Cheese
    15
  • CALIFORNIA GREENIN’
    House Tomatillo Mix, Vegetable Overload, Grilled Cheese
    15
  • CLASSIC MARY
    House Red Mix, Grilled Prosciutto, Pickled Veggies
    10

MOCKTAILS

  • QUINCE TOWN
    Quince Shrub, Caramel, Soda
    8
  • WISDOM IN A ROOT
    Ginger, Pineapple, Strawberry, Basil
    8
  • NOPALOMA
    Grapefruit, Lime, Orange Syrup, Soda
    8
  • NOMEZCAL
    Black Cardamom Syrup, Lemon
    8

ESPRESSO

  • ESPRESSO
    Italian Style Espresso Shot
    4
  • ALEXPRESSO
    Espresso, Cardamom, Raw Sugar
    4
  • CAFÉ CUBANO
    Espresso, Raw Sugar
    4
  • AMERICANO
    Espresso, Hot Water
    4
  • CAPPUCCINO
    Espresso, Steamed Milk Foam
    5.50
  • LATTE
    Espresso, Steamed Milk
    5.25
  • VANILLA LATTE
    Espresso, Steamed Milk, Homemade Vanilla Syrup
    6.25

COFFEE

  • HOUSE COFFEE
    Organic Peruvian Blend
    3.50
  • HAMMER HEAD
    Coffee, Espresso Shot
    5
  • COFFTEA
    English Breakfast Tea, Cardamom, Coffee
    7
  • DIRTY CHAI
    Bengal Chai Tea, Coffee
    7

ORGANIC TEA

16 oz. Specialty Teapot Brewed Fresh to Order
Served HOT or COLD
  • BLACK | CAFFEINATED
    Earl Grey • English Breakfast Bengal Chai • Peach Essence
    5
  • GREEN | CAFFEINATED
    Mango Tango • Strawberry Raspberry
    5
  • HERBAL|CAFFEINE-FREE
    Hawaiian Berries • Rose Parade
    5

CRAFT SODA & H20

MADE WITH REAL SUGAR.
NO HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP!
  • CALEB'S KOLA
    4
  • CALEB'S DIET KOLA
    4
  • STUBBORN LEMON BERRY ACAI
    4
  • STUBBORN CLASSIC ROOT BEER
    4
  • FEVER TREE GINGER BEER
    4
  • PELLEGRINO SPARKLING WATER 16.9 oz.
    6
  • SUVIDA SPRINT WATER
    3

FRESH SQUEEZED JUICE

  • ORANGE JUICE
    6
  • LEMONADE
    5
  • RASPBERRY LEMONADE
    6
  • GRAPEFRUIT JUICE
    5

Freshly Squeezed

If you ever stop by our bar, you will see our bartenders working hard to get freshly squeezed juice ready every day. Squeezing fruits is just one of their many talents. We like to think of our bartenders as masters of the Cafe 21 drink universe, where craft anything applies: craft cocktail making, craft beer pouring, and well, craft soda pouring too!

World Famous Bloody Marys

Our bartenders are the rulers of our world famous Bloody Mary bar and if you haven't seen our Bloody Marys yet, be ready to be impressed. It is ok to wonder how they make grilled cheese sandwiches, fresh veggies, and bacon perch up on the Bloody Mary glass; it's one of the many unanswered mysteries yet to be answered by our bartenders.

Our Coffee Service

As for our name, we know we can't call ourselves Cafe 21 with at least having café to enjoy too right? Don't worry we love coffee just as much as refreshing cold drinks. So if you are hoping for a mug of straight black organic Peruvian coffee or maybe some espresso with flair, then our coffee service station will whip up what you need.

Unique drinks, hot or cold, are waiting for your order at Cafe 21! If you happen to be in the Gaslamp in downtown San Diego in search of great drinks or maybe some live music in the evening, then Cafe 21 Gaslamp is ready for your visit. If instead, you find yourself cruising around Adams Avenue, then Cafe 21 University Heights is waiting for your visit!

Daily Happy Hour!

Don't forget at both locations; Happy Hour runs daily from 3 PM to 6 PM. Cafe 21 knows drinks, and we know drink deals even better. We are talking about ½ of our signature sangrias, mimosas, and craft beers as well as 21% off wine and cocktails. It's ok if just yelled 'yay' out loud! We love you for it!

Cafe 21 is committed to sustainability and a true farm-to-table experience. We work with the best ingredients from locally grown produce, hormone-free grass fed meat, wild seafood, and antibiotic-free Mary's Free Range Chickens. We partner with local organic Tom King Farm, to bring you the freshest, local, seasonal, and organic produce. We love hand making our own sourdough bread, using organic flour and a very special starter named Lola. We make all our food from scratch, with love. *Please inform us of any allergies you may have. As delicious as it may be, consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.*

Please note that our menu is seasonal and prices as well as menu items are subject to change. We do our best to keep the most current menu updated and the most correct version of our menu is directly on our site.

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