To sit in front of any of these bartenders is a real treat—and not just because of the dynamic drinks they pour. Their passion for flavor and cutting-edge technique is inspired by the countries they’ve traveled to, and the stories they’ve shared prove it.

Thankfully, the craft cocktail is at long last on the rise along Sixth Street, the city center’s new locals-geared nightlife hub that rose out of the ashes of the tourist nuclear winter.

To put it in comic-book terms, the pisco sour has a mysterious and murky origin story. (Hey, nerds like to drink, too—just be glad I didn’t fill this article with egg-puns. You’ll see.)

It turns out that our widely held notion that Stone Brewing Co. invented beer somewhere in the early 1990s is not entirely true. There is, allegedly, an entire world of beer outside of San Diego.

The word “perfumey” doesn’t conjure up thoughts of a pleasant drinking experience—as much as it does flashbacks of Mom washing your mouth out with soup—but the elderflower cocktail breaks the mold.

Along with tacos and tequila, Mexico has given San Diego another gift that starts with a T—the tamarind martini.

Maybe everyone has a Guinness story, but before I tell you mine, let me define it in case aliens scorch the Earth and not a single keg is left for posterity. Guinness is a 4.1-percent Irish dry stout that’s thicker than blood and older than the U.S. Constitution.

Most folks of drinking age can name at least a few wine varietals; many can talk semi-intelligently about beer. But sake? Ask someone what kind they prefer and you’ll probably get “hot” or “cold.”

If you thought you loved craft beer, just ask an Ethiopian about tej. A type of honey wine renowned for its spicy-sweetness and potency, the popular drink is as integral to Ethiopian culture as Stone IPA is to San Diego’s.

For you drinking travelers, here’s a handy guide to toasting around the world. After you’ve said “Cheers!” in nine different languages, you’ll probably need a cure for a wicked hangover. Luc

CityBeat staff shares their favorite drinks from around the city.