The Best Cocktails in this Cute California Town

At the beginning of writing this blog, I hoped to regale all with stories of brunch through my travels. Obviously that came to a screeching halt at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. I have had a fabulous time learning to get in touch with baking again and sharing all my recipes with you, but I miss writing about travel. That’s why I want to share this story and a similar copycat recipe for this interesting cocktail I tried at Trevor’s at The Track’s in San Juan Capistrano, Ca, so you all can enjoy this cocktail from home.

My boyfriend and I were lucky enough to quarantine ourselves before taking a trip to visit his family in California. We spent most of the trip in Carlsbad, sitting on the sand watching the waves of the Pacific Ocean roll in and drinking lots of champagne.

We took one day to San Juan Capistrano to see the oldest neighborhood in California and enjoy a lovely brunch of perfectly paired cocktails and bites at Trevor’s at The Track’s.

The Atmosphere

The sunny Old Town San Juan Capistrano is like time stopped in a beautifully romanticized Western. Just on the other side of the tracks, across from the restaurant is the Los Rios Historic District, which holds much of what I fantasized to be the original quaintness.

Trevor’s at The Track’s acknowledges the unique atmosphere with old-timey photos, train car bathrooms, western signs, and industrial exposed brick inside the restaurant. It sits among other restaurants, some in railway-like cars right along the railroad tracks.

There is a lot of outdoor seating. We were seated next to the entrance, which had a beautiful vertical garden with basil, oregano, mint, and several other herbs along up and down the wall.

The Cocktails

Before we even ordered, I had pretty high expectations for the cocktail menu, and it did not disappoint. It featured drinks like this high-class margarita “Pour Favor,” Trevor’s Barrel Select Código Reposado Tequila Cointreau, fresh Lime, and a kiss of agave, and the “‘Oh Damn’ Watermelon Whiskey” that features Lip Service Bourbon, Orgeat Syrup, fresh watermelon, and lemon.

I wish I could’ve tried all of the cocktails, but I am only human, so I just had two. The first one I tried was the Oh Damn’ Watermelon Whiskey, and oh my gosh was it good. Even if you don’t like bourbon, you’d probably enjoy this. The watermelon and lemon gives it a sweet and sour flavor, especially with the added smoke and spice from the rim. (I’m not exactly sure what the rim was, but it tasted they rimmed the glass with lemon and added a spicy rub with a smokey chili and cayenne powder.)

The second cocktail I had to order because I saw someone else order and it was too fabulous not to order. It’s called The Big City Sour, Trevor’s Barrel Select Woodford Rsv Bourbon, fresh citrus, agave nectar, and red wine foam. Have you tried a New York Sour? It’s very similar except that instead of adding malbec on top, you add this beautiful pink wine foam. (To make this at home, scroll down!)

The Food

The food menu at Trevor’s at the Track’s was exquisite. We started by sharing some “Chew Chews” (how cute is that for an Appetizer menu name.) The Blind Dates were delectable – California dates with smoked bacon, sage goat cheese, and drizzled balsamic. Excuse my while I clean up this drool. This appetizer would be a delicious fall brunch recipe!

I stole a bite of my boyfriend’s flatbread, he ordered the Fig & Fungi flatbread with fig tapenade, Cremini Mushrooms, goat cheese, caramelized onions, balsamic glaze, and micro arugula. Those are all of my favorites!

I tried their burrata salad because I was feeling healthyish, and it perfectly complemented the Watermelon Salad. The salad featured burrata, avocado, thinly sliced radishes and other veggies.

How to make the Big City Sour

This recipe is not the same as the Trevor at the Track’s recipe, but it tastes similar. If you truly would like to try to make the fabulous red wine foam, you’ll need to invest in a Whipped Cream Dispenser.

Hot Tip 1: After reading several reviews, I’d recommend getting a stainless steel one. They are more expensive, but will last longer without deteriorating.

Hot Tip 2: Skip the red wine foam, even though it’d be so cute on your Instagram feed. Make the less complicated cocktail – the New York Sour.

What You’ll Need for the Big City Sour

This makes two glasses, so you can have double the fun or share with a friend.

• Whipped Cream Dispenser
• 4 ounces Woodford Reserve (or your bourbon of choice)
• 4 ounces fresh lemon juice
• 1 ounce of agave simple syrup (1:1 Agave & hot water)
• 3 ounces of red wine (I’d use a cabernet, but it’s your choice!)
• 2 egg whites

How To Make the Big City Sour

1. Mix the bourbon and 2 ounces of fresh lemon juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Seal the shaker, and shake for about 30 seconds until it’s cold. Strain into your whiskey glasses.
2. Next create the wine foam, add the wine, simple syrup, and the rest of the lemon juice into the whipped cream dispenser. Now add the egg whites. Close the lid (make sure it’s tight or it’ll be a mess!) and shake it.
3. Dispense 1 Nitrous charger into the whipped cream dispenser, AKA a whipping siphon. Shake well.
4. Now the foam should be ready! Add it on top of your whiskey drinks for a fabulous cocktail.
5. Enjoy!

(I modified this cocktail foam recipe with Sideshow Pete’s thorough instructions for various cocktail foam recipes.)

Trevor’s at the Tracks

Address: 26701 Verdugo Street, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Instagram: @trevorsatthetracks