Grant Grill in the US Grant Hotel, San Diego
Smashing Pumpkin
Did you catch the Food Network’s November 15, 2010, airing of The Best Thing I Ever Ate – That I’m Thankful For episode? Troy Johnson, Senior Editor of Riviera magazine, mentioned the Smashing Pumpkin holiday cocktail at Grant Grill, located in San Diego’s US Grant Hotel. Check out their Web site, the intro appropriately and lovingly starts with this:
If Audrey Hepburn were wandering San Diego in search of a martini and a meal,
she’d probably stop here…”
Maya Kroth – San Diego Magazine
First, to set thing straight – it’s not a “Tini” – I appended the “tini” name to the title because it’s presented beautifully in a martini glass. In Troy’s segment he explains how Grant Grill concocted their original drink, its festive presentation and its delicious, seasonal results.
On Black Friday while holiday madness began at malls and super stores across our country, we avoided the craziness and met with dear friends to toast in the holiday season and cleanse our palates from holiday fare. This was our first visit to Grant Grill, in downtown San Diego, and I’d be remiss not to share that it’s ambiance and setting is warm, elegant and inviting. A lovely place to meet with friends and family and enjoy drinks, nibbles or a meal.
The holiday seasonal drink menu includes four cocktails: Douglas Collins, Smashing Pumpkin, Colossal Cranberry Tonic and Cold Buttered Hazelnut. I was excited to try the Smashing Pumpkin from Troy’s review. So what’s in this tasty seasonal offering cocktail? The ingredients listed on their menu include:
- Pumpkin and Star Anise infused 10 Cane Rum
- Grand Marnier
- St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram
- Saffron Syrup
- Cardamom Bitters
- Fresh Meyer Lemon
presented in a martini glass, garnished with spicy sugar around the rim and a wooden pumpkin-like ornament (putka pod) in each drink. This seasonal cocktail can be enjoyed for $12 a glass. (Update 11/16/2011 Please Note: I do not have the measurement or portion ratio for this drink. I’m sharing with you the ingredients that were listed on their menu.)
The Smashing Pumpkin was light bodied (not thick and slushy) and had a delicate balance of spiciness. Not an overpowering pumpkin flavor. It’s not a sweet tutti-frutti drink and that’s what I liked about it. It was surprisingly, as I mentioned, spice spicy (not chili hot), and I couldn’t determine any one kind of ingredient in its blend. Between the four of us at the table, after nibbles, other drinks and 7 Smashings later…we were quite happy.
For myself, I’d say that this is the start of something I will look forward to doing after the Thanksgiving holidays…heading downtown to the Grant Grill, enjoy the ambiance with the most treasured of company and kicking off the rest of the holiday season with the Smashing Pumpkin cocktail. Cheers!
Smashing Pumpkin cocktail
Grant Grill, US Grant Hotel
326 Broadway, San Diego
Grant Grill in the US Grant Hotel, San Diego, and beautiful sculpture in the hotel’s lobby
Daydreamer Desserts says
Hi Tina, so funny I was watching the rerun of the episode which featured this drink just now and thought to myself, hmmm I think I need to pay the Grant Hotel a visit and try out their smashing pumpkin, so I googled it to get more info and voila, your post came up which I found extremely helpful. Thx!
Aggie says
I want one of those martinis!! Beautiful!
Magic of Spice says
That looks like a delightful cocktail 🙂
Priscilla - She's Cookin' says
I had to click on the drink (from your wrap-up gallery – great idea!) What an intriguing cocktail – and judging from the list of ingredients, hard to replicate. SO that means I’ll have to visit Grant Grill – looks very elegant Art Deco.
Lindsey @ Gingerbread Bagels says
Mmm pumpkin in a cocktail?! Now that’s my kind of cocktail. It looks absolutely lovely! 🙂
Jeanne says
I love the idea of a pumpkin cocktail, and it’s such a pretty color! I’ll definitely stop by the Grant Hotel next time I’m in SD!
Emily Z says
Pumpkin cocktails?!? Oh wow, I would totally try this. What an awesome hotel!
Monet says
I adore that Food Network Show. I wish we still had cable (and a TV!) I always try to catch it when I go to the gym, but I must have missed that episode. Thank you for sharing your take on it. I hope you have a wonderful Tuesday night, my friend!
mangiabella says
that sounds deeelish – love the anise infusion 🙂
Viviane Bauquet Farre - Food and Style says
Oh my goodness! These look totally sinful… I LOVE the cardamom bitters ans saffron syrup!
Kita says
We dont normally keep much alcohol in the house, but we are throwing a big party in a couple of weeks and let me just say – I am looking forward to shopping for the stuff!!! I cant wait to mix some new martinis! This one looks great!
Stephanie says
Hey Cristina,
Wow. That drink sounds and looks delicious — what an eclectic mix of ingredients! It’s been so long since I’ve had the pleasure of visiting San Diego (I’m originally from the Bay Area). I really need to make it a point to make the trek out there. The weather and the beaches are gorgeous.
torviewtoronto says
looks like a lovely place
sandy- Everyday Southwest says
Congratulations of making the top nine list… again! Great job. These pumpkin tinis look very festive thanks for the post.
Daydreamer Desserts says
Can’t wait to pay this place a visit on my next visit to SD! 🙂
Lindsey at Burn Me Not says
Yum! Looks smashingly refreshing. The Cold Buttered Hazelnut sounds good too. Cheers to the holidays and festive drinking!
Juliana says
Never thought in having pumpkin in a cocktail…would sure love to try this one 🙂
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
I had an amazing pumpkin margarita the other night, but a pumpkin martini! It sounds wonderful and so delicious! What a classy drink with a nice fall twist. Thanks for sharing this, Cristina!
bunkycooks says
Pumpkin…in a cocktail? Wow! I would love to try one of those. 🙂 This hotel looks like a great place to share a few drinks and good times with friends.