SpiritedLA At Sausal In El Segundo

El Segundo hasn’t historically been a key destination for good cocktails in Los Angeles. Thanks to Sausal’s Nuevo Rancho inspired drink menu, it’s become a much more satisfying spot for craft cocktail enthusiasts. Sausal’s mission (according to its site) is to mix the multi-cultural Spanish and Mexican flavors that predominated before California joined the union with modern farmer’s market finds, and to evoke the, “…fun loving, down-to-earth authenticity,” that was characteristic of the era. The drinks (and the food, FYI) fulfill this mission—they’re flavorful, satisfying, thoughtful, and fresh, without being too fussy.

Who to go with: A date, your S.O., your less raucous friends, or even your parents.

What to drink:  Our favorite cocktail, even though we usually prefer something a little less gentle, was the delicate, fruit-forward and floral Amar y Tequila (featuring Espolon anejo tequila, Amaretto, white peach puree, lemon, and a Luxardo). The LA Pink (with Hayman’s Old Tom Gin, lemon, strawberry, and cucumber) was sweet, fruity, and refreshing and paired well with the Nuevo Rancho flavors in the food. Finally, their House Margarita was well-balanced, fresh, and unpretentious– a tough-to-find-fault-with execution.

When to go: 1) When you’re leaving LAX and need to replenish before officially facing the 405. 2) if you’re looking for a higher-end place to grab a cocktail and some eats after a day at the beach. 3) If you want to seem in-the-know and take your date to a quiet getaway outside the city (we can’t imagine it will stay quiet for long).

Where: 219 Main St, El Segundo, CA 90245

Why: For high-quality yet accessible craft cocktails, elevated Spanish fare, and a relaxed but civilized Westside vibe to accompany them.