Comic-Con 2018: Make a splash with pop culture-themed cocktails

It’s that time again for caped crusaders, Jedis, zombies, and Daenerys Targaryen look-alikes to quench their thirst with a perfectly themed cocktail. As avid fans of alternate realities from around the world funnel into San Diego for Comic-Con 2018, restaurants are ready to welcome every visitor with a cocktail after their own costumed heart.

Here are a some of the clever concoctions to try during this year’s festivities.

The Blind Burro

Try the Deadpool’s Daiquiri with 1888 Rum, strawberry purée, lime juice agave nectar, and a float of blackstrap rum; the Yellow Jacket Margarita; the Vibranium Mega-Paloma; or The Lady in Red Sangria with red wine, orange liqueur, blackberry brandy, juices and fresh apples.

639 J St., downtown, theblindburro.com

Bleu Boheme

Inspired by Spider-Woman, the Femme d’Araignée is made with rye whiskey, Ramos Pinto fine ruby port, lemon juice, simple syrup, and topped with soda water.

4090 Adams Ave., Kensington, bleuboheme.com

Cloak & Petal

Pulp Fiction fans can try the Branca Tarantino cocktail, crafted from New Orleans bitters, Amaro Meletti, Fernet Branca and rye whiskey — a tribute to Quentin Tarantino’s influence on film.

1953 India St., Little Italy, cloakandpetal.com

Café 21

A tribute to Black Panther, the Wakanda’s Potion is crafted with Broker’s London Dry Gin, activated charcoal and egg white.

802 Fifth Ave., (downtown location only), cafe-21.com

El Chignon

In true San Diego style, this “Bad Ass Mexican” locale is offering six tequila-based themed cocktails.

Gamora Delight: El Silencio mezcal, fresh lime, house-made almond orgeat and R&D sarsaparilla bitters

Vision’s Watermelon Treat: Azuñia blanco tequila, house-made watermelon cordial, lime and Tajín

The Infinity War: Olmeca Altos Blanco tequila, lemon, ginger, honey, St. Germaine and Ancho Reyes Verde

Captain America’s Revolution: Espolon Blanco tequila, fresh pineapple, fresh lime, cream of coconut and dry Curaçao

Iron Man Blast: Milagro reposado tequila, Mexican Coca-Cola reduction, R&D cherry apple bitters and sarsaparilla bitters

Savory Star Lord: El Jimador Blanco tequila, fresh lime, salt and choice of Jarritos soft drink

560 Fifth Ave., downtown, elchingon.com

Havana 1920

Make it rum (and more rum) all the way around with six Avengers- and Guardians of the Galaxy- inspired options from this Gaslamp Cuban hotspot.

Mind Stone Mojito: Havana Club Añejo Blanco rum, fresh lime juice, yerba buena, fresh-pressed sugarcane juice, and sugarcane syrup

Ant Man Apricot Special: Diplomatico 6-year rum, fresh pineapple juice, fresh lime juice, apricot liqueur and R&D aromatic #7 bitters

The Star Lord: Brugal Añejo rum, Curaçao, Mancino Secco vermouth and house-made grenadine.

Dr. Strange Daiquiri: Havana Club Añejo Blanco rum, fresh lime juice, and fresh sugarcane syrup

Loki’s Tesseract: Don Q Blanco rum and fresh lime, served with a Mexican Coca-Cola

Drax The Destroyer: Pusser’s Navy Rum, fresh squeezed orange juice, house-made coconut cream and fresh pineapple juice

548 Fifth Ave., downtown, havana1920.com

Meze Greek Fusion

Letting The Avengers be their guide, these fruit-infusion cocktails speak to the superhero fans of Comic-Con.

Power Stone Poison: Strawberry-infused vodka, fresh lime, ginger and R&D house bitters

The Black Widow: Açai-infused vodka, raspberry, fresh lemon and Demerara

Thor’s Hammer: Fig-infused Redemption bourbon, fresh lemon and honey

Thanos Juice: Green apple-infused vodka, fresh lime and R&D cherry apple bitters

Nebula’s Special Treat: Metaxa brandy, Greek red wine, peaches, orange zest, cinnamon and sparkling ginger

345 Sixth Ave., downtown, gaslampmeze.com

Monkey King

Inspired by Mortal Kombat, this downtown restaurant created a lineup of inventive and mouthwatering cocktails helpful for defeating Shang Tsung.

Kung Lao’s Hat Trick: Sake, Ketel One botanical peach vodka, lemon, green tea and honey

Sub-Zero’s Snowball Grenade: Kaffir lime leaf-infused Tanqueray 10 gin, lime, coconut liqueur and spiced milk syrup

Skarlet Blood Bath: Salted plum-infused rum, lemon and demerara

Rain’s Purple Storm: Hibiscus-infused Don Q rum, Campari, pineapple, lime and demerara

Tanya’s Edenian Betrayal: Gin, lychee, jasmine tea and citrus oil

D’vorah’s Hive Nectar: Monkey Shoulder whisky, mint, white tea, honey and R&D smoked bitters

Takeda’s Lasher: Russel’s Reserve GBOD single barrel bourbon, Aperol and pomelo-infused Carpano Bianco vermouth

467 Fifth Ave., downtown, monkeykingsd.com

Prohibition

The force is strong with these Star Wars-inspired cocktails created by beverage director Ryan Andrews.

Never Tell Me the Odds: Redemption Rye, demerara, Averna and R&D house bitters

I Find Your Lack of Faith Disturbing: El Silencio Mezcal, watermelon cordial and R&D smoked bitters

Fly Casual: Jameson Black Barrel, Lillet, lemon and maraschino

NO, I Am Your Father!: Henebery Rye, Ancho Reyes liqueur, lemon and peach

548 Fifth Ave., downtown, prohibitionsd.com

The Westgate Hotel

Available at the Plaza Bar inside the hotel and on the rooftop pool deck during Comic-Con week, two cocktails are bringing the spirit to San Diegans and visitors. Mr. Glass is a tribute to the American superhero in the horror-thriller film Glass co-produced and directed by M. Night Shyamalan. The cocktail is crafted with Nolet’s Silver gin, Aperol, green Chartreuse, egg whites and cherry bitters, with a Champagne float. The Fine, I’ll Do It Myself was inspired by Thanos’ quote from the final scene in Avengers: Age of Ultron, and is made with Blue Ice potato vodka, Chambord, yellow Chartreuse and citrus.

1055 Second Ave., downtown, westgatehotel.com