www.montereycountynow.com SEPTEMBER 3-9, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 35 CHILL Can a cocktail be crafted in the spirit of a cocktail? No, this is not some mental Gordian knot. Thanks to a growing number of spirits capped at 24-percent alcohol that conform with state laws governing soju, restaurants licensed only to sell beer and wine can also create cocktails that are more than respectable. Case in point: Hatch Southwest Kitchen in Carmel’s Barnyard, a finalist in the Weekly’s readers’ poll for Best Margarita—only the popular restaurant does not serve full-bore liquors. Yet the Prickly Pear Margarita buffers the curiously sweet (think ripe honeydew and not-quite-ripe strawberries) punch of the cactus fruit with impressions of grass, curls of smoke and a faint bitter streak, while orange liqueur layers in a notion of candied zest that brings everything together. The same familiar flavors from tequila and liqueur—along with a 48-hour jalapeño infusion— ignite the Smokin’ Gun, giving it a residual heat that a stir of strawberry simple syrup cannot quite ward off. The cocktail is a spicy but friendly gem, balancing sensations that are raspy, fruity and cool, but always flickering hot. Both cocktails rely on Mesa Blanca and Grand Ma’ Triple L’Orange—the former distilled from Blue Weber agave, the latter a cordial derived from citrus. But there are also vodkas and other spirits available. Although lower in alcohol and sometimes on the sweet side, producers are raising the profile of these sojus. And the team at Hatch are taking full advantage. Hatch Southwest Kitchen, 3658 The Barnyard, Carmel. (831) 330-2332, hatchcarmel.com. Mock Not Working with a beer and wine license, Carmel’s Hatch has a line of well-loved cocktails. By Dave Faries SEND IDEAS TO: chill@montereycountynow.com DAVE FARIES ♦ 3 Card Poker ♠ Century 21st No Bust Black Jack ♣ Texas Hold’em ♥ FULL BAR! BLACKJACK BONUS POINTS PAYS UP TO $45,000 SMALL TOWN BIG PAYOUTS! 1-800-Gambler • GEAR-000383, GEAR-000376, GEAR-000375 The Marina Club Casino ensures the safety and security of all guests and team members at all times, while providing exceptional service. 204 Carmel Ave. Marina 831-384-0925 casinomonterey.com ♠ ♣ ♥ ♦ Just minutes from Downtown Monterey Where Monterey Comes To Play INDOOR AND OUTDOOR DINING AND TAKEOUT Eat + Drink Monterey’s MOST Recommended Pizzeria Open at 4pm Mon-Thurs • Open at 3pm Fri Open at 12pm Sat.& Sun. 725 Lighthouse Ave, Monterey giannispizzamonterey.com 831-649-1500 BEST PIZZA ’98-’24 BEST PIZZA PLACE ’25 57 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey 831-373-1851 www.abalonetti.com ’25 LUNCH & DINNER SERVED DAILY from 11:30am-8:30pm Monterey County’s Best Calamari OPEN EVERYDAY for DINNER at 4:30pm Offering all your favorites plus wine, cocktails, bottle and draft beers. Now Serving Snake River Farms’ American Wagyu Prime Rib. 763 Wave St., Monterey | 831.373.3778 | thewhalingstation.com ’25 Best Steak Indoor and Outdoor Dining on the Dog Friendly Patio Tapas (Happy) Hour 4:30–6pm Nightly Sunday Brunch 9am–1:30pm 700 Munras Ave., Monterey | 831-375-0176 | estebanrestaurant.com ’25 Best Appetizers/ Small Plates ’25 BEST RESTAURANT IN MONTEREY COUNTY! JOIN US NIGHTLY FOR DINNER AT 4:30PM TWO HAPPY HOURS DAILY 4:30-6PM & 8-9PM 3-Course Early Menu, $59, 4:30-6pm Daily Call or go to sardinefactory.com for details, reservations. 701 Wave Street, Monterey, 831-373-3775 BEACH HOUSE RESTAURANT + BAR @ LOVERS POINT ★ CASUAL CALIFORNIA DINING INDOOR & PATIO DAILY AT 4:30PM 620 OCEAN VIEW BLVD. PACIFIC GROVE 831-375-2345 • BEACHHOUSEPG.COM LOVERS POINT BEACH CAFE OPEN DAILY, 9AM–4PM ’24 Best Restaurant in Pacific Grove WOOD FIRED PIZZAS, BURGERS, PASTA, SALADS, SANDWICHES AND MORE 11:30AM MON-FRI, 10AM SAT & SUN melvilletav.com 484 Washington St., Downtown Monterey 831.643.9525 HAPPY HOUR FOOD & DRINK SPECIALS Daily 4-6pm WEEKEND BRUNCH WITH BOTTOMLESS MIMOSAS Fisherman’s Wharf’s Newest Restaurant Serving Fresh Seafood, Pasta, Steaks, Sandwiches Open Daily at 11:30am Great views at the end of the Wharf #1 www.rockfishmonterey.com • 831.324.4375
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjAzNjQ1NQ==