Where To Drink In Santa Fe
New Mexico is called the Land of Enchantment, and for good reason,” says Chris Milligan. “All you have to do is look around for five minutes and you’ll understand why.” Known locally as the “Santa Fe Barman,” Milligan is a 20-year bar veteran currently working at Secreto Lounge, where the seasonal cocktail program captures the ethos of Santa Fe’s down-to-earth community. “Everything begins with food and drink in Santa Fe,” he says. “It’s embedded not only in our routines but in our culture. Whether it’s a concert on the plaza, Saturday at the farmer’s market or an annual event like New Mexico Cocktails & Culture, everyone comes out to celebrate.” I could not agree more Chris!!!
Read on for all my favorite places to drink in Santa Fe..from alcoholic drinks to mocktails to coffee!!! Yes, this post is for everyone.
SECRETO LOUNGE- Secreto Lounge is Santa Fe’s premier craft cocktail bar specializing in award-winning “Garden-To-Glass” and classic cocktails. Their Santa Fe bar features cocktails created using fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, local spirits and bitters. Their "Garden-To-Glass" program is recognized around the world as one of the most creative and cutting edge.
Secreto Lounge is located within historic Hotel St. Francis, just steps from the Santa Fe Plaza. Relax and discover new friends in their welcoming rustic indoor bar or at their seasonal loggia, perfect for enjoying Santa Fe nightlife or people-watching.
What I would order:
Smoked Sage Margarita -Espolon Reposado, Grandeza Orange Liqueur, Fresh Pressed Lime, Infused with Burned Sage with a Hickory Smoked Sea Salt Rim
COYOTE CANTINA-The Coyote Cantina is considered one of the best rooftop venues in the City Different. Situated atop the Coyote Cafe, the Cantina offers Southwestern dining complete with the signature Coyote flavors and flare, plus all the mixology. The atmosphere is casual, relaxed, and is open all year-round.
Great to watch the sunset bounce off the historic adobe walls of downtown Santa Fe.
What I would order:
Frozen Prickly Pear and /or Passion Fruit Margarita. Or I love the Siesta Margarita-Chamomile Infused Reposado , Agave Nectar, Lemon and Soda
THE ANASAZI PATIO RESTAURANT AND THE ANASAZI BAR AND LOUNGE- Best known for its Silver Coin margaritas, classic cocktails and locally brewed beers, the Anasazi Bar and Lounge features Santa Fe classic appetizers and a bar menu designed for a casual dining experience.
What I would Order:
Try the Anasazi Agave Tasting! Or The Mezcal Tasting. Such a fun experience.
This place has the BEST Spicy Palomas! Serrano Infused Tequila, Grapefruit, Soda Tajin, and Lime Salt!!! Soooo refreshing and packs a punch.
They have the best mocktails too. Try the Virgin Cucumber Mule which has Cucumber, Agave, Lime Juice, and Ginger Beer. Or the Mint Lemonade——Fresh Mint and Homemade Lemonade and the Spicy Virgin Bloody Mary is soooo fantastic. Homemade Bloody Mary Mix, Tajin, Lime Juice, and Olives.
https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/inn-of-the-anasazi-santa-fe/dining/anasazi-bar-and-lounge
LA REINA- La Reina is a tequila + mezcal-centric cocktail bar located in El Rey Court in Santa Fe. The bright white adobe interior walls make you feel like you’re inside a subterranean cave carved out of soap or sandstone, and the only decorations are stark, primordial line drawings by graphic designer John Zabawa that evoke the caves at Lascaux more than they do Canyon Road. But this is the charm of La Reina — its old adobe walls and luscious gardens are authentically Santa Fe without any of the tired tropes that usually signify Santa Fe Style.
What I would Order:
NEGRONI ROSA ..........MEZCAL, APEROL, LUSTAU ROSÉ
Their Salsa VERDE is so tasty too!
https://elreycourt.com/la-reina
BETTERDAY COFFEE- BEST coffee and best people ever!!! This just really needs no explanation. Just go!!
ROWLEY FARMHOUSE ALES- Rowley Farmhouse Ales started as a dream in a garage in Santa Fe, New Mexico. John Rowley, a chemist by training, started his journey to brewing funky, but quaffable beer in his garage in the late nights, seeded by his friend Chael Christopher. It all started over a couple of pints at Second Street Brewery, where Chael mentioned that he received a homebrewing starter kit for his birthday, but his wife wouldn’t let him use it, as she knew he would leave the house a terrible mess. John quickly jumped on the free kit, and brewed his first official batch of his own that same weekend. It actually came out quite nice for a first time brew, and a passion was quickly developed for perfecting the process.
John brewed like a madman, and quickly became proficient in recipe development, brewing and water chemistry, bottling and kegging his beer, as well as draft systems. He built a homebrewers garage like none other, and had friends over brewing weekly, and honed his proficiency at Santa Fe Brewing on their Small Batch Saturdays. He became deeply involved with the local homebrewing scene, becoming the president of the local homebrew club, the Sangre de Cristo Craft Brewers. He entered many local and national competitions, winning many best of shows.
The pairing of funky and sour farmhouse-style ales with comfort foods, as well as an eclectic, rotating tap list that allowed for a comprehensive beer-focused experience were all features that were requirements, not just desires.
Rowley Farmhouse Ales (RFA for short) is the realization of these ideals. Although they are indeed a functioning business, they treat RFA more as a passion project for all involved; they hope their passion for great beer, paired with tasty food and great people, shines through every time you visit.
Rowley Farmhouse Ales is a farmhouse-style brewery with a focus on mixed culture fermentation. Our inspiration comes from American and European wild and mixed culture fermented ales. In addition to our own beers, we have an extensive draft and bottle list of the best available beers from New Mexico and around the world.
What I would order:
RFA • Germophile - Pineapple
SOUR - FRUITED BERLINER WEISSE • SANTA FE, NM • 5.0% ABV • 5.0 IBUGermophile celebrates their love for souring bacteria, specifically Lactobacillus in this case. It is their core Berliner Weissbier, and is brewed with a 50/50 blend of Weyermann Extra Pale Pilsner malt and malted white wheat, and is soured with Lactobacillus. They then finish the beer with Thiriez yeast, resulting in a dry and tart refreshing beer. In this variant, they dose the normal Germophile base with a charge of pineapple, and can/keg condition the resulting beer.
HOTEL CHIMAYÓ DE SANTA FE- SANTA FE BAR- This unique hotel bar is the ideal spot for relaxing with a beverage and enjoying Hawt Pizza. The distinctive lowrider style is evident in the diamond-tuck upholstered seats, hubcaps and creative photos, while tables made of chromed chain-link steering wheels decorate both the outdoor patio and indoor dining area. Try a specialty cocktail crafted by their professional mixologists to enhance your unforgettable car-themed experience.
JOE’S TEQUILA BAR: Joe's Tequila Bar at the Inn features a full bar with a selection of wine, beer, and spirits. At the end of the day you can relax under the starry sky on their gorgeous courtyard patio or head inside and sit in front of one of their fireplace!
They offer a wide variety of tequila and do ask about their flights.
I love the Mezcalicious —-ojo de tigre mezcal and trip sec!
SHAKE FOUNDATION- We love the milkshakes here! Their ice cream uses natural and organic milk & eggs, fruits and flavorings to create a rich, smooth, and creamy frozen treat. Always fresh, their ice cream is available by the cup, cone, pint or in the Adobe Mud Shakes.
The Mud Hut by Agapao Coffee- Really good coffee! Agapao is tucked away just a few blocks away from the bustling Santa Fe plaza. This place really knows what they’re doing and is one of the most frequented coffee shops in town.
Highly love the espresso, lavender latte, and the breakfast burritos are to die for!! Great pastries too!
And do head to the Plaza and grab a watermelon fresca from a stand in the square!!!!
And do get a milkshake from Kakawa Chocolate House… I am obsessed with their milkshakes and elixirs.
Kakawa (ka-KA-wa): an Olmec word, meaning cacao or chocolate.
They are a specialty chocolate company located in the beautiful high desert town of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Their passion is authentic and historic drinking chocolates elixirs. Historic drinking chocolate elixirs include traditional Pre-Columbian, Mesoamerican, Mayan and Aztec drinking chocolate elixirs; 1600's European drinking chocolate elixirs, Colonial American and Colonial Mexican drinking chocolate elixirs. Kakawa Chocolate House drinking chocolate elixirs are representative of these historic recipes and span the time period 1000 BC to the mid-1900s AD.
Kakawa supports local organic farming, promotes the history and anthropology of chocolate, and, most importantly, produces a huge variety of delicious chocolate creations of the highest quality. Since its founding, Kakawa has earned a reputation as one of the most exciting and original chocolate shops in the world.
