The spectacular oceanfront setting of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego provided the backdrop for the 17th Annual San Diego Spirits Festival, held September 26 and 27 in the heart of La Jolla. Over two lively days, the festival brought together cocktail enthusiasts, industry professionals, restaurateurs and some of the most exciting names in the world of premium spirits for a celebration combining sophisticated tastes, culinary offerings, music and entertainment. Guests sampled unlimited craft cocktails and tastings from more than 60 premium brands, encompassing whiskey, bourbon, tequila, mezcal, vodka, gin, rum and ready-to-drink creations.
At the heart of the festival is Elizabeth “Liz” Edwards, its founder and director, whose vision launched the San Diego Spirits Festival in 2009. Over the years, Edwards has developed the event into much more than a tasting experience. Its mission encompasses education, product innovation, professional development and the introduction of emerging brands, while creating an environment in which distillers, mixologists, industry leaders and consumers can connect. The festival relocated to La Jolla in 2022, with the Museum of Contemporary Art and its sweeping Pacific views providing an especially dramatic setting for the celebration.
Throughout the weekend, the museum's indoor galleries and outdoor terraces came alive with tasting stations, cocktails, restaurant offerings and entertainment. This year's lineup included singer-songwriter Andrew Cole, flamenco guitarist Jason Jenkins, RideShare Jazz, DJ Mike White, Energia Entertainment samba performers, belly dancer Christina Sirmons and, on Sunday, the seven-piece Ass Pocket Whiskey Fellas. Local culinary participants complemented the spirits with bites from restaurants including Zoya La Jolla, Pavilions, Nelly's Kitchen, Piazza 1909 and others.
Adding another dimension to the weekend was the festival's International Bottle Competition, which recognizes excellence across the spirits industry. Entries were evaluated through double-blind judging, with awards honoring outstanding products across categories including vodka, whiskey, rum, agave spirits, liqueurs and ready-to-drink cocktails. For Edwards, the competition and festival together provide a showcase for both established producers and emerging brands while celebrating the creativity and craftsmanship driving today's cocktail culture.
With contemporary art surrounding guests indoors, cocktails flowing throughout the museum and the Pacific Ocean providing a magnificent backdrop outside, the two-day soirée captured the sophisticated yet celebratory spirit that has become the festival's signature. Seventeen years after its founding, the San Diego Spirits Festival continues to bring together exceptional spirits, food, entertainment and people—an appropriately spirited conclusion to summer in La Jolla.
Photography by Robert O'Neill
