Many of the greatest pieces of modern art are not hidden behind thick glass in museums. Rather, they are being poured into glasses and readily available to the thirsty masses at a bar or restaurant in your own backyard. Yes, we are talking about cocktails; and those in particular that offer a show right along with each sip via aromatics, garnishes, juxtaposing flavor profiles, and unusual combinations of spirits from around the world.
Berries & Bubbles @ Ocean Prime
The Home: Ocean Prime is a High Street hotspot most often lauded for its fresh seafood and utterly decadent steak. But do not sleep on the bar program here, which is centered on elevating spirits by kissing them with freshly pressed juices and kitchen-made tonics, sours, and syrups. Ocean Prime also spotlights up-and-coming talent through a company-wide associate beverage development program.
The Drink: Berries & Bubbles has been the venue’s best-seller for years thanks to its combination of Grand Marnier-soaked blackberries, house proprietary sour recipe, Belvedere Citrus Vodka, fresh lemon juice, and Crème de Cassis, which is a sweet liqueur made from black currants. Certainly, the Domaine Chandon Brut sparkling wine and dry ice smoke, which give it a fire and ice vibe to the eye and nose, do not hurt either.
5455 E High St #115, Phoenix, AZ 85054
Honeydew List @ Wren & Wolf
The Home: Wren & Wolf is equal parts Phoenix coffee shop, cocktail bar, fine-dining destination, and modern nightclub complete all in one. Expect exceptionally eccentric-yet-excellent cocktail offers with over-the-top presentation and clever flavor combinations.
The Drink: Given the name, melon liqueur is on display here, as is freshly pressed juice from a honeydew melon, both combining to give the drink a vibrant hue. The delicate sweetness from the melon is balanced with botanical gin and both lemon and lime juices. It also has pisco, which is a South American brandy just finding its footing in the United States, and Amaro Pasubio, an aged, aromatized wine made from mountain berries in the Trentino region of Italy. The Honeydew List is finished with white vinegar, which adds a layer of acid.
2 N Central Ave Suite 101, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Sex & Violets @ The Genuine
The Home: The Genuine leapt onto the scene and wasted no time making itself known despite opening in Uptown Phoenix just last year. This upscale neighborhood eatery sets itself apart by elevating its experiential cocktails, and is soaring to higher heights than its cocktail cousins Little Woody and The Womack (also under the locally owned business’ umbrella).
The Drink: Familiar with fee foam? It is an elixir that can froth up a cocktail without the use of egg whites, a win for vegetarian and vegan mixology enthusiasts out there. Here, the fee foam is shaken with an intoxicating blend of simple syrup, fresh lemon, indigo-colored Empress Gin, and crème de Violette, which is made from macerated violets and brandy.
6015 N 16th St, Phoenix, AZ 85016
Bambu No. 5 @ Mora Italian
The Home: Liberty Station American Tavern and Smokehouse, which has been a family-owned staple in DC Ranch and Carefree for years. Locals love its oft-Tiki themed and classic cocktails as much as their American food with regional touches. Beverage director Adam Downey is a true talent and mentor to countless aspiring slingers of all things spirited.
The Drink: Holy torched cinnamon, Batman! This tall beauty starts with Templeton Rye Whiskey. That whiskey, known for its wood, spice and touch of brown sugar notes, is combined with strawberry, lime juice, and cinnamon. They top the concoction with a honey-infused coconut cream float, mint sprig garnish, and topping of a touch more cinnamon. Finally, a handheld torch is used to light the spices on fire tableside.
5651 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85014
Adam Bomb @ Liberty Station
The Home: Liberty Station American Tavern and Smokehouse, which has been a family-owned staple in DC Ranch and Carefree for years. Locals love its oft-Tiki themed and classic cocktails as much as their American food with regional touches. Beverage director Adam Downey is a true talent and mentor to countless aspiring slingers of all things spirited.
The Drink: Holy torched cinnamon, Batman! This tall beauty starts with Templeton Rye Whiskey. That whiskey, known for its wood, spice and touch of brown sugar notes, is combined with strawberry, lime juice, and cinnamon. They top the concoction with a honey-infused coconut cream float, mint sprig garnish, and topping of a touch more cinnamon. Finally, a handheld torch is used to light the spices on fire tableside.
20825 N Pima Rd suite 100, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Tijuana Mama @ 50 Shades of… Sake
The Home: 50 Shades of…Up until recently, this central Scottsdale bar was called 50 Shades of Rosé. Awash in red and pink with art installations, neon signs, and more than 10,000 imitation roses hung in every direction, and every drink was designed with dames in mind. The owners, however, had a trick up their sleeves. Turns out they had planned to change the thematic elements of the space all along, updating cocktails along the way. This spring, it will transform into 50 Shades of Sake, taking on Asian influences.
The Drink: Almost everything will be changing over, with the exception of the most popular cocktails, including this sexy little number that should be nicknamed Harry Styles (because it gives all the “Watermelon Sugar” feels). To make, smooth Maestro Dobel Tequila is paired with Ghost Tequila—agave tequila infused with the infamous, India-born ghost pepper—lime, and copious freshly pressed watermelon juice. It is served with a slice of watermelon topped with Tajin, which is also rimmed along the glass for added spice and visual appeal.
7419 E Indian Plaza Scottsdale, AZ 85251
La Traviesa @ JT Prime Kitchen
The Home: JT Prime Kitchen and Cocktails is an Old Town Scottsdale haunt that pairs modern steakhouse favorites with globally inspired flavors. This extends to the cocktail program, which makes it a point to boldly garnish all of its cocktails with locally sourced flowers and floral elements.
The Drink: At first, with its Don Julio Anejo, agave, fresh citrus, and orange salt, it sounds like a standard margarita, right? Try again. This agave cocktail, which loosely translates to “Naughty,” has a luscious float of Cabernet Sauvignon, completely changing the flavor profile in every sip. It feels a touch like a Tequila Sunrise, but with far more nuanced characteristics.
4216 N Brown Ave. Scottsdale, AZ 85251
The Iron Tiger @ Toro Latin Restaurant & Rum Bar
The Home: Welcome to Toro Latin Restaurant & Rum Bar at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. Celebrity chef Richard Sandoval developed this stunning eatery to honor the vibrance of Latin America and the precise elegance of Asian influence.
The Drink: Toro features over 75 rum labels–the most in Arizona. This is the spot for an authentic experience, and it does not get better than the Iron Tiger. Toro’s signature cocktail, which features a blended Japanese whiskey and barrel aged rum, served as a ceremony to be honored before bring enjoyed.
17020 N Hayden Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Grapefruit Basil Martini @ Tommy Bahama
The Home: Tommy Bahama has been a Kierland Commons staple for more than 20 years honoring all things tropical.
The Drink: While they grow throughout Arizona now, grapefruit was actually discovered in Barbados in the mid-1700s when two orange varietals crossed paths. Each day, the bar team hand squeezes 50 to 75 grapefruits solely for the cocktail, using the juice of approximately one in each cocktail build. It is combined muddled with fresh basil, which is native to tropical regions around the world, ice, and Grey Goose Vodka. House-made simple syrup is added and the contents of the shaker are given a quick shake before being strained into a martini glass and garnished with fruit and basil.
15205 N Kierland Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Written by Alison Bailin Batz
Photography by Luke Irvin