Where to Enjoy Craft Cocktails, Spirits & Mead in Yolo County
Yolo County may be known for its many local wineries and craft breweries, but those looking for something a bit different will find plenty of alternatives here as well. Craft cocktails, locally produced spirits, even mead made from local honey are all on offer at spots throughout the county.
While wine tasting is certainly popular in Yolo County, some visitors may want to explore the county’s other one-of-a-kind tasting experiences. In addition to swanky cocktail lounges, Yolo County also has its own craft distillery, a French aperitif producer, and a meadery. If you’re planning a trip to Yolo County to explore all it has to offer, be sure to take advantage of lodging specials and pay a visit to the following cocktail lounges and other tasting rooms.
Patio 29 Spirits | Winters
Located in Winters, this distillery produces a wide range of spirits, including gin, vodka, rum, and whiskey. They have a quaint tasting room (and of course, an inviting outdoor patio) where you can sample their products via flights or cocktails, the latter of which includes concoctions such as a cucumber rosemary gimlet and raspberry rum mule. They also have a kitchen turning out small bites such as fried ravioli, meatballs, and flatbreads.
The Hive | Woodland
The Hive in Woodland is dedicated to all things honey. Not only do they have a range of honey varietals from across Yolo County and beyond, they also serve several meads. Although sometimes referred to as “honey wine,” mead is technically its own thing, made by fermenting the sugars in honey. Sometimes, fruits, spices, herbs and other flavorings are added. At the Hive, you can sample a flight of meads and try flavors such as lavender lemonade or mango chamomile. You can also enjoy salads, sandwiches, and brunch items.
Wiki Bar | Davis
Part of Café Bernardo, this cheery bar in Davis is known for its signature (and potent) drink, the Wiki Wacky Woo, a blend of several spirits and tropical juices. They serve a number of other creative cocktails as well, including a spicy margarita and a cucumber gimlet. You can also fill up on bar bites such as sliders, wings, and pizza.
L’Apéro les Trois | Winters
It’s hard to choose between Meyer lemon, quince, and green walnut, but at this French-inspired aperitif bar in Winters, you can sample them all! L’Apéro les Trois is a charming, French-inspired tasting room in Winters that features these and other flavors in its small-batch, low-alcohol beverages. They’re produced by infusing wine from Berryessa Gap Vineyards with fruits, nuts, herbs, and other botanicals and fortifying them with eau-de-vie. The result is a fresh, fruit-forward product that can be taken on its own or mixed with bubbly water or sparkling wine.
Drakes: The Barn | West Sacramento
Think of Drakes and you’ll probably think beer. After all, Drakes is a brewing company known for its pale ales and pilsners. But The Barn is much more than a riverfront beer garden — they have a full bar and a selection of cocktails, including hard slushies and mules. They also have a food truck on site featuring pizzas, burgers and tots.
The DeVilbiss Room | Winters
This moody cocktail lounge, adjacent to the Buckhorn Steakhouse in Winters, is a cozy retreat with its brick walls, velvet seating and eclectic décor. Their menu features classic cocktails such as a Manhattan and Old Fashioned, as well as a rotating lineup of seasonal cocktails. They also offer small bites, including oysters, as well as brunch on Sundays.
Once you’ve sipped your way through Yolo County, you may want to consider an overnight stay. There are lodging options in Yolo County where you can get a good night’s rest before heading home the next day. Or, make a weekend of it and continue your tasting on day two!