Liquid Assets

Photos by Sara Norris

For years, Rubicon Deli has been one of the best spots in the city to score top-shelf, locally sourced sandwiches, soups and salads (not to mention a decadent selection of craveable cookies). But there’s another reason to swing by this suave and swanky sandwich shop: Rubicon now offers one of the world’s healthiest libations at the pull of a lever.

Kombucha, for those not in-the-know, is a fizzy, fermented tea famed for its abundant health benefits. And although Rubicon has sold bottles of the probiotic tonic for years, the distinctly dapper deli now has the effervescent drink on tap, making it even easier to enjoy the rewards kombucha has to offer.

“Eighty percent of your immune system is located in your gut,” says Rubicon co-owner Evan Corsiglia. “Kombucha is full of probiotics, which are good for your gut and help keep you from getting sick. It’s a much healthier alternative to soda, plus it’s the fastest-growing health beverage on the market today. We’re glad to be a part of that.”

While kombucha may seem like a relatively new way to quench your thirst, it has actually existed for ages.

“It’s been said the Japanese Samurai warriors often carried kombucha tea in their hip flasks to replenish their energy levels during battle,” Corsiglia says.

Oceanside-based distributor Kombucha On Tap provides Rubicon’s two locations (Mission Beach and Mission Hills) with kegs of the drink, which comes in a variety of styles from a multitude of brewers.

“We rotate our flavors constantly,” says Corsiglia. “We like to serve GT’s Trilogy, which is the top selling flavor in the nation, and probably the world for that matter, but we offer many other brews as well.” So far, Rubicon’s customers have been lapping it up.

“Some days, we sell more kombucha than beer,” Corsiglia says.

Beginning in January, both Rubicons will open at 8 a.m., serving breakfast sandwiches (and, no doubt, kombuchas) to early-ish risers. Also on tap for the company in the coming year: a third store, set to open in UTC in February.

“We will have have a larger tap system there,” Corsiglia says, “so you can expect to see more kombucha, kefir sodas and cold-brewed superfood coffees.”

Rubicon Deli
3715 India St., Mission Hills
3819 Mission Blvd., Mission Beach
UTC / La Jolla (Opening in February)
rubicondeli.com