Signature Cocktails at Árbol Restaurant, Manuel Antonio
Árbol Restaurant at Makanda by the Sea serves cocktails designed for the Pacific setting — drinks built on quality spirits, tropical fruit and fresh ingredients, meant to be enjoyed slowly with an ocean view. The signature menu changes seasonally but always includes a small selection of house originals alongside the classics. Here is what is currently on the menu and why each drink is worth ordering.
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Krisp Yuzu-Sake — The Unexpected Opener
Sake, yuzu liqueur, Club Soda and a sprig of fresh rosemary. The Krisp Yuzu-Sake is the most distinctive signature on the current Árbol menu — a drink that references Japan through sake and the intensely citric yuzu, then grounds it in the Pacific setting with aromatic rosemary. The result is dry, fragrant and refreshing in a way that most tropical cocktails are not. Light enough to drink before a meal, complex enough to sip slowly at the pool. At $22 it sits comfortably alongside the rest of the signature range and is the best introduction to what the Árbol bar team does when they move away from the classics.
Country Club — Clean and Precise
Ketel One vodka, fresh citrus and a finishing splash of cacao. The Country Club is the most balanced signature on the menu — crisp citrus from the fresh squeeze, a neutral but quality spirit that does not compete, and a subtle cacao note at the finish that adds depth without sweetness. This is the cocktail for anyone who enjoys a well-made vodka drink but wants something a step above a standard Collins. The cacao finish is light enough that it reads as complexity rather than flavour — you notice it only when you look for it. Served over ice, it pairs well with the ceviche and lighter starters on the Árbol food menu.
Pomegranate Old Fashion — A Tropical Reinterpretation
Jack Daniel's, pure pomegranate juice, aromatic bitters and orange. The Pomegranate Old Fashion takes the most enduring cocktail structure in classic bartending and replaces the sugar syrup with pomegranate — tart, slightly astringent, deeply coloured. The result keeps the weight and spirit-forward character of a proper Old Fashioned while adding a fruitiness that works better in a warm, open-air setting than the original. The Jack Daniel's brings the vanilla and caramel notes that make bourbon cocktails accessible; the bitters tie it together. One of the more serious drinks on the signature menu — ordered by guests who want something to sip rather than drink quickly.
The Rooster — The Bar's Most Characterful Drink
Oaxaca Artesanal Mezcal, handmade plum syrup, a splash of passion fruit, Cointreau. The Rooster is the most complex and locally referenced signature on the Árbol menu. Oaxacan mezcal brings deep smoke and earthy notes; the handmade plum syrup adds stone fruit sweetness that the passion fruit then cuts with tropical acidity; Cointreau provides structure and a clean orange finish. The balance between smoke, sweetness and acid is precise enough that each element is identifiable but none dominates. This is the cocktail that best reflects the character of the Árbol bar — technically considered, made with quality ingredients, and specific to its setting. Order it at sunset.
Mojito with Coconut — The Pool Cocktail
Flor de Caña Extra Seco rum, coconut milk, fresh mint. The Mojito with Coconut replaces the standard soda water with coconut milk — a simple substitution that transforms the character of the drink from sharp and refreshing to smooth and tropical. Flor de Caña Extra Seco is a clean, dry Nicaraguan rum that provides spirit presence without competing with the coconut. The mint is fresh and generous. This is the most approachable signature on the menu and the best companion for a long afternoon at the Makanda adults-only pool. Order one when you arrive at the pool and let the rest of the afternoon take care of itself.
Beyond the Signatures: The Full Árbol Bar Menu
Beyond the five signature cocktails, Árbol serves a full classic cocktail range including Margarita in multiple variations, Whiskey Sour, Caipirinha, Piña Colada, Gin & Tonic, Moscow Mule and Guaro Sour — all at $18. The Martini selection covers Espresso, Pornstar, Dirty, Cosmopolitan and Classic Sexy Martini at $22. The Spritz menu offers Aperol and Pomegranate versions. Premium spirits include Ron Zacapa XO, Don Julio 1942, Macallan 18 Year Old Double Cask, and Johnnie Walker Blue Label for guests who prefer a single pour over a mixed drink. Fresh smoothies, Costa Rican craft lemonades by the jar and a curated wine list by glass complete the beverage offer. All prices are in USD, with 13% sales tax and 10% service charge not included.
Drinking at Árbol: When and Where
Árbol Restaurant operates throughout the day — from breakfast service through to late evening dinner. The bar is open continuously, which means the signature cocktail list is available from midday onward. The best moment for a cocktail at Árbol is the hour before sunset: the pool terrace and restaurant face due west over the Pacific, and the sky changes colour in real time behind your glass. Pool bar service means you can order directly from the water. Evening dinner at Árbol pairs well with wine by the glass from the white, rosé and red selection, or a classic cocktail to open. To reserve a table for dinner or to ask about current availability, visit arbolrestaurant.com or contact reception at Makanda by the Sea directly.
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