Stearns Wharf is a great place to watch the sunset, but tonight it’s also a great place to watch the fireworks. Yes, it’s going to be crowded, but there’s a lot of great views and a different perspective than that afforded to the majority of landlocked viewers. And one of the best venues on the wharf to watch the rockets’ red glare is Longboard’s Grill. It’s upstairs, it looks right out onto the beach where the fireworks are set, and you can get a cocktail.
We’ve been to Longboard’s a few times over the years and we like that it’s one of the few places still serving tiki drinks. They have parrot-shaped glasses, shark-shaped glasses, scorpion bowls, volcano drinks, and drinks for a big group in one bowl. But for fireworks, we wanted something less flashy and more suited to the long sunset that preps us for the flares.
The Santa Barbara Sunset could be that drink. It comes in a large wine glass, and keeps it simple with orange juice and grenadine for color, and Hornitos and Grand Marnier for booze. Yes, there’s also a sunny drink called the Sunsplash – Stoli Ohranj, Cointreau, and cranberry, lemon and orange. It looks good, but it’s just a bit too sweet for the jaded tongues of DOTW. Instead, the Sunset is much more about the tequila, and hence when the sun goes down, this cocktail will be doing the same. Happy Fourth!
THE SANTA BARBARA SUNSET
2 ounces Hornitos bianco tequila
3 ounces orange juice
3/4 ounce Grand Marnier
Splash grenadine
Combine all ingredients over rocks, shake and pour into wine glass. Garnish with cherries and a flower.
Yield: 1 drink