Best thing I ate: Paella Valencia and Vaca tonics at home

The frozen Vaca tonic at Vaca in Costa Mesa previously made critic Brad A. Johnson’s list of best cocktails in Orange County, and now you can temporarily make it at home.
Brad A. Johnson • Orange County Register • April 22, 2020
The Vaca tonic cocktail at Vaca in Costa Mesa is by now one of the most iconic drinks in Orange County. It’s a frozen gin and tonic served from one of those ’80s-era frozen daiquiri machines. An adult slushie made with Brooklyn gin, lime juice and...
The full article can be read on the Orange County Register website.

Related Articles

Recipe hack: How to make Vaca’s frozen gin and tonic at home

Brad A. Johnson • Orange County Register • July 23, 2020
It’s no secret that I love the Vaca tonic at Vaca in Costa Mesa. This frozen gin and tonic is one of the most refreshing cocktails in Orange County. And since the beginning of the pandemic, they’ve been selling that drink to-go, which is...

Recipe hack: How to make Vaca’s frozen gin and tonic at home

Brad A. Johnson • Orange County Register • July 29, 2020
I am crazy about the Vaca tonic at Vaca, a Spanish tapas spot in Costa Mesa. This frozen gin and tonic is one of the most refreshing cocktails in Southern California. And since the beginning of the pandemic, they’ve been selling that drink to-go,...

Critic’s Notebook: Another sneak peek at the 75 Best Places to Eat

Brad A. Johnson • Orange County Register • June 1, 2022
Research for my annual guide to the best places to eat in Orange County involves a lot of eating. It also involves some good drinking. These are the seven drinks from this year’s 75 Best Places to Eat that I can’t stop thinking about. The Vaca...

Best thing I drank: Critic Brad A. Johnson’s top 5 drinks of 2018

Brad A. Johnson • Orange County Register • December 20, 2018
Sometimes I like to have a little drink. These are my favorite cocktails from the past year. 5. Hangover Bloody Mary at Great Maple. Tito’s Vodka, house bloody mix and horseradish, garnish of chorizo and gruyere cheese toast ($14, weekend brunch...

Critic’s Notebook: Where to find great cocktails to-go

Brad A. Johnson • Orange County Register • June 11, 2020
Man, I could use a drink. I’ve found myself saying that a lot lately. And if there’s one marginally good thing to come out of the pandemic, it’s that restaurants get to sell cocktails to-go. Bartending is a lot harder than it looks. Plus, my bar...