910 Prospect Street • La Jolla, CA 92037 Hours of Operation

Old Time Origins

The retro-drink culture has never been more “en vogue” than it is now, being influenced by the popularity of Mad Men and the like. And here at NINE-TEN, going back in time has never been more apropos than now as we celebrate the Centennial anniversary of our home, the Grande Colonial hotel.

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First a little history: The spot where NINE-TEN now sits was formerly the La Jolla Drugstore, which in 1926 was purchased by Silas O. Putnam and moved inside the adjacent Colonial Hotel (which officially opened in February of 1913).

After Putnam bought the drugstore and moved it to its new home, he added an ice cream parlor on the sidewalk that served up chocolate sodas and banana splits. The drugstore became a prime location for locals to gather, talk and watch the few passers-by. The pharmacist, employed by Putnam, considered it a big day if he filled more than three prescriptions. Well loved by the townspeople, the pharmacist was also the father of Gregory Peck. Peck, who grew up in La Jolla, eventually left for Hollywood and became a movie star. (Click here to learn more about Putnam’s legacy.)

In 1980, the space once occupied by Putnam’s drugstore became Putnam’s Grille, which quickly became a local La Jolla landmark. Reflecting the La Jolla of the 1920s, the restaurant was redesigned to feature dark wood paneling, wrought iron chandeliers and ceiling fans, oak dining sets and large picture windows that created an open, fluid environment. The original soda fountain was replaced with a mirrored back bar and alcoholic beverages were served instead of ice cream sodas.

Then in February of 2001, Putnam’s Grille closed its doors and six months later opened as NINE-TEN. Today, the restaurant remains the dining gem of the 100-year old Grande Colonial hotel.

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In celebration of the hotel’s Centennial, NINE-TEN will offer the speakeasy-style, “throw-back” cocktail menus of the past 10 decades, many of which originated even more than 100 years ago but continue to enjoy resurgence for subsequent generations. (Menus will change every two months so check back often for updates.) We continue by celebrating the 30s and 40s through May:

Circa. 1930-1949

Featured Libations April/May:

AGED WHISKEY (cocktails made with whiskey aged in a barrel for 100 days)
1. Frankenjack: St. George Gin, Cointreau, Dry Vermouth, Apricot Brandy (named after Frank and Jack, the two proprietors of a well-known speak easy in New York City during the Roaring 20s)

2. Very Old Fashioned: Coffee infused B&E Bourbon, Angostura Bitters, Simple Syrup (the name “Old Fashioned,” was first used by a Kentucky bartender in honor of distillery owner, Colonel James E. Pepper)

FEATURED COCKTAILS OF THE ERA
Hurricane, Moscow Mule, Very Old-Fashioned

FEATURED WINE
Buena Vista (founder “The Count of Buena Vista” has ties to San Diego dating back to 1849. Learn more here.)

HISTORY
This era saw increased enjoyment of cocktails until 1941. During WWII, people gladly gave up cocktails for rationing and victory gardens. After the war, a new selection of cocktails became popular. Popular cocktails of the era: Hurricane, Stingers, Side Car, Gin Rickey, Sazerac, Sours, Moscow Mule, Pink Lady, Bees Knees, Very Old Fashioned, the Pussyfoot and Alexandra Cocktails.

FUN FACTS

• Cocktail shakers and the Eating Implement (olive pick) were patented in this era.

QUOTE OF THE ERA
“Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.” Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) – Casablanca

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Circa. 1950-1969

Featured Libations June/July:

AGED WHISKEY (cocktails made with whiskey aged in a barrel for 100 days)
To Be Announced

FEATURED COCKTAILS OF THE ERA
Old-Fashioned, Blue Hawaii, Gin & Tonic

FEATURED WINE
Sangria & Buena Vista (founder “The Count of Buena Vista” has ties to San Diego dating back to 1849. Learn more here.)

HISTORY
Popular cocktails of the era include the French 75, Old Fashioned, Gin & Tonic, Collins, Blue Hawaii, Screwdriver, Singapore Sling, Grasshopper and the Pink Squirrel.

FUN FACTS

• The swizzle stick was patented in this era by Victor “Trader Vic” Bergeron.

QUOTE OF THE ERA
“Look, sweetheart, I can drink you under any goddamn table you want, so don’t worry about me.” Martha (Elizabeth Taylor) – Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

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Circa. 1970-1999

Featured Libations August/September:

AGED WHISKEY (cocktails made with whiskey aged in a barrel for 100 days)
To Be Announced

FEATURED COCKTAILS OF THE ERA
Gin & Juice, The Dude, Planters Punch, Jynnan Tonnyx

FEATURED WINE
Sangria & Buena Vista (founder “The Count of Buena Vista” has ties to San Diego dating back to 1849. Learn more here.)

HISTORY
Proper cocktails slowly gave way to the “shots” of the 80s and 90s. Popular cocktails of the era include the Gin & Grapefruit, Julep, Planters Punch, Lemon Drop, Bertha, Caipirinha, Margarita/Golden Caddy, Sex on the Beach, Cosmo, White Russian (The Dude), Tequila Sunrise, Pink Panther, Harvey Wallbanger, Kamikaze.

QUOTE OF THE ERA
“I never should have switched from Scotch to Martinis.” Humphrey Bogart’s last words

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Circa. 2000-2013

Featured Libations October/November:

AGED WHISKEY (cocktails made with whiskey aged in a barrel for 100 days)
To Be Announced

FEATURED COCKTAILS OF THE ERA
To Be Announced

FEATURED WINE
Buena Vista (founder “The Count of Buena Vista” has ties to San Diego dating back to 1849. Learn more here.)

HISTORY
Began the age of “Chef Inspired” cocktails utilizing fresh, seasonal ingredients along with the added flare of molecular gastronomy.

QUOTE OF THE ERA
“I never drink water because of the disgusting things that fish do in it.” W.C. Fields

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