Cocktails In Wine Country: Where To Drink Spirits In Napa Valley

I don’t want to be a traitor to my generation and all, but given the choice between rosé all day and cocktail time, wine will never win. As a result, when dire tragedy struck and I was cruelly forced against my will to go to Napa, I was feeling less than caber-YAY about how I’d preserve my delicate BAC for the week.

Thankfully, I not only managed to survive the brilliant winemakers, excellent food, and stunning views, but the cocktail offerings were exceptional. The drinks at Goose & Gander and Harvest Table in St. Helena guaranteed that even non-oenophiles could join in on the fun.

Goose & Gander

In the basement of the wine country public house, the Goose & Gander, is a rustic, dark, comfortable basement bar perfect for dedicated cocktail seekers. Their list of original drinks was impressively creative and the cocktails looked as beautiful as they were balanced. Thank you to Vincent behind the bar for directing me to some great picks.

The Mellivora Capensis

Tart, warm, and sweet with delicate hints of pepper and smoke.

Coastal Pimm’s Cup

Refreshing, light, crisp, not too sweet, and beautifully garnished.

Never Keep A Lady Waiting

A distinctive mix of smooth agave, bright passionfruit, and Nordic spice.

Harvest Table

The sleek and modern Harvest Table at the Harvest Inn featured expertly crafted drinks made with ingredients from their onsite garden and kitchen. The enthusiasm for playful experimentation from head bartender Joel was immediately apparent and his excitement made the cocktails that much more fun to drink.

Proédros

Cream, citrus, and a hint of bitterness come together for this Greek twist on the classic El Presidente.

Nacho, Tito, y Miguel

Made with award-winning bacon from their kitchen and peppers from their garden, this cocktail is smokey, spicy, savory, and smooth— if you like the idea of barbecue in a glass, get on board.

I’ll be heading back to Napa soon, and am looking for more unmissable cocktails to add to the list. If you’ve got recommendations, I’d love to see them in the comments!

All photos taken by @spiritedLA— please link out and credit if planning on using any of the above pictures.