Cervantes Magaña (San Diego Spirits Festival Top Mixologist, 2013) recently revamped Masters’ new drinks menu with four main cocktail themes: Caribbean Cocktail Refreshers, Refreshing Modern Classics, Stirred and Direct, and the low ABV Day Sippers. Priced between $10- $12 each cocktail is made from scratch using in-house ingredients and spirits from local distilleries. Stop by for a Trader Vic’s inspired Mai Tai, or the wholesome 'Sunday Church' with maletti, capaletti, lemon, soda, and a strawberry mint garnish.

While this awesome little South Oceanside bar might not win any awards for décor, it more than redeems itself with regular live music nights and an eclectic cocktail collection. For ‘Rediscovered Classics’ we have a trusty Sidecar, Pisco Sour, and the Don Draper-approved Old Fashioned. The 'Just For Fun' section includes Nathaniel’s Cucumber Collins (Beefeater gin, vodka, St. Germain, simple syrup, fresh lemon juice, cucumbers). All cocktails are $10, but look out for their 'Cocktail Of The Day' specials when you can score libations like a Blood Orange Cosmo for $5 (until 6 p.m.).

This Prohibition-era bar--and quite possibly one of San Diego’s only original speakeasies--was a regular stop for Hollywood stars on the way to Mexico during the 1920s. In true (modern day) speakeasy fashion names must be added to a guest list via text, with access granted via a secret doorway underneath The Land & Water Company – check Instagram as the password changes daily. First timers get a brief historic tour en route to the bar area, which although small is always comfortably capped. For drinks expect everything from Dealers Choice, Sours and Sazerac to a Whiskey Smash with prices around the $10 - $12 mark. Wednesday night is Tiki Night - house rules advise that guests dress accordingly.

This stylish open-air concept offers a relaxed spot for afternoon cocktails (there’s a DJ on weekends) and a pretty decent specialty drinks list. Alongside staples like mojitos and Moscow mules, you will find slightly more creative concoctions such as the 'Citrus Sour' made with Russian Standard vodka, lemon juice, St. Germain, grapefruit bitters and sparkling wine. At night the space draws a more ‘clubby’ crowd, with private tables and bottle service setting you back around $400 - $450, if that’s what floats your boat.

A popular spot in downtown Encinitas, Solace not only offers modern American-style eats and live music, but there's a recommendable cocktail list too with prices in the $9.50 - $11 range. The 'Tiki Tiki Tembo' (demerara dark rum, aperol, velvet falernum, fresh juices) should satiate those seeking something island-style, while Lebowski fans might appreciate the White Russian-esque 'Dude Abides' made with vodka, housemade coffee liqueur, half & half and chilled organic coffee. For the more health-conscious imbiber, three Skinny Libations (Gordon’s Cup, Mojito, Bison Peach Smash) come in at under 130 calories a piece.

Matt Gordon’s sophisticated Bells & Whistles designed space in Flower Hill Promenade not only offers great brunch, lunch, dinnertime and menus it also boasts a classy cocktail lineup too. Sip on a 'Lucky Peach' (rye, peach purée, lemonade, crushed basil-mint-cucumber), or a French 75 (juniper-honey gin, fresh lemon, sparkling French wine) during Wednesday night happy hour (3 – 6 p.m.), and enjoy live music in the lounge. Or stop by for their Martini Mondays when any martini or manhattan costs just $8.

This upscale eatery adjacent to the San Diego Polo Fields not only lays claim to James Beard nominated chef Carl Schroeder and his inventive California-cuisine, but an exquisite cocktail list to boot. Seasonal specialties include the ‘PoppyCot’ (Nolet’s Gin, organic apricot syrup, fresh lemon, aperol, egg white, cayenne), and a Basil Martini with Hangar One vodka, Velvet Falernum, housemade basil infused agave nectar, fresh squeezed orange and lime. For house cocktails think gimlets, cosmos and a margarita-esque ‘Spicy Don’ made with Don Julio reposed, jalapeño purée and cilantro.

Set in the lush grounds of the Rancho Valencia Resort this inviting equestrian themed bar makes an equally great day or nighttime drinking destination. The margarita menu alone features five incarnations of the tequila-based beverage including 'The Palomino' ($15), a delightfully complex blend of flavor profiles like spiced vanilla, citrus and ginger. Other tempting tipples come in the form of 'The Sassy Sangrita' (Tres Agaves Blanco tequila, Cointreau noir, sangrita), and the bourbon-based ‘In Record Thyme’ ($13) made with a heady mix of Buffalo Trace, maple syrup, thyme, lemon, and bacon.

This relaxed neighborhood hangout boasts lagoon views, globally inspired fare and a pretty killer cocktail list. Made with Mellow Corn bourbon, ginger beer, seasonal pepper, honey syrup and lemon the ‘Barn Burner Mule’ offers a refreshing twist on the Kentucky version. While it not feel like fall, the autumnal-inspired ‘Chai Tai’ (Caña Brava, Malahat spiced rum, chai-infused orgeat, rhum clement creole shrub, lime) is filled with hints of orange zest, chai tea spices and roasted almonds. Enjoy on the enclosed patio while catching a sunset over Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve.