Best Raspados 2011 | Oasis Raspados | La Vida | Phoenix
Navigation
Support Us
Search

Best Raspados

Oasis Raspados

Raspados are the Mexican version of the rainbow snow cones that have become a little slice of Americana. But instead of being bland, rock-hard sugar bombs, raspados are packed with chunks of fresh fruit. Tempted? Look no further than Oasis Raspados for a super-fruity concoction in such familiar flavors as strawberry, mango, or watermelon. After you've tried the basic fruit flavors, expand to tamarind, horchata, or walnut. Add some sweetened condensed milk or a scoop of ice cream for a bit more decadence. And if you've got the cojones, try a chamoyada (shaved ice drenched in pickled chile fruit sauce). It's a spicy, tangy twist on an otherwise super-sweet treat.

Best Old-School Paletas

Realeza Michoacana

Sick of the rock-hard snow cones and corn syrup popsicles from your local ice cream man? Pack up the kids and take them to Realeza Michoacana instead, where they'll get a fresh fruity treat instead of an over-processed, syrupy sugar high. Paletas contain loads of fresh fruit in exotic flavor combos that your local ice cream truck probably doesn't bother stocking. They have familiar fruit flavors and more exotic tropical tastes, like guava, tamarind, and horchata. There's also a "cocktail" paleta if you're feeling the need for a midday frozen margarita, or snag a mango chili paleta with chunks of fresh mango mixed into a salty, lime-infused, chilly treat.

Best New-School Paletas

Paletas Betty

We won't name names, but someone we know is really into Otter Pops. Yes, those rainbow-hued sugar-water packets from our youth. Ugh. Clearly, this gentleman has never wrapped his tongue around a platano paleta. That's bananas Foster with homemade caramel and añejo rum to you, mister, and it freezes out all the ice pop competition. We have lusted after the gourmet Mexican popsicles sold in places like Los Angeles and New York but wondered how they would fare in Chandler. Quite nicely, apparently, because Betty Alatorre De Hong opened her second paleta shop on Mill Avenue this summer. Now we'll have two places to get nuez (roasted pecan), sandia (watermelon with fresh mint), and cereza (brandied cherries in sweet almond) paletas. Be sure to check Betty's website; flavors change daily.

Best Aguas Frescas

Los Reyes de la Torta

Tirion Boan
Aguas frescas literally translates to "fresh waters" in English, and Los Reyes de la Torta has "the kings" right in its name. So naturally, when it comes to aguas, Los Reyes reigns supreme. Enjoy an impressive variety of jewel-toned aguas reminiscent of Kool-Aid, minus the sugar high and neon food coloring. Try the jamaica, a bright red hibiscus flower drink, or the classic watermelon. And if you're feeling a bit naughty, snag a strawberry, mango, or guava cremosa, laden with smooth cream. A tall glass of something cold and fruity can be instant relief from a blazing summer day, and the regal Los Reyes de la Torta certainly delivers.

Best Spiked Aguas Frescas

Gallo Blanco

Robrt Pela
The only way to make the fresh cantaloupe and watermelon (among others) juices at Gallo Blanco — the restaurant at the hipper-than-thou Clarendon Hotel — is to add a healthy shot of tequila or vodka. So that's just what we do. It's very responsible: We're getting our vitamins. This is a healthy way to imbibe, right? Be sure to do so with Gallo's killer guacamole and chips. Hey, stop judging. Avocado is a super-food! And at least we're soaking up all that booze.

Best Margarita

Los Dos Molinos

Lauren Saria
There always is a wait, the staff isn't the friendliest, and the food is hot enough to burn every single taste bud from your tongue, but we keep finding our way back to the patio of this South Phoenix hot spot for its kick-ass house margarita. It isn't infused with lavender, there isn't a trace of rosewater, and the tequila hasn't been blessed by a holy donkey from the depths of Mexico, but the housemade margs deliver with a not-too-sweet, perfectly sour base blended nicely with puree of real strawberries, raspberries, and limes. As for the tequila — there's enough of it in these suckers to literally put you on your ass after just one. You think we're joking — let's see if you can remember your dinner after two.

Best Specialty Margaritas

Cien Agaves

Jamie Peachey
Cien Agaves lives up to its name, with 100 different types of tequila on hand, but it's the way Cien Agaves makes use of that tequila that really has us hooked. Prickly pear, hibiscus, cucumber, and mango margaritas all grace the menu, and they're all worth lingering over with a basket of chips and salsa on the side. We recommend the habanero lime margarita if you're feeling particularly adventurous. It's an intriguing combo of frosty citric sweetness and a slow burn that keeps you coming back for more. Or you can split the Gigante, a 56-ounce mega-size marg, if it's going to be one of those nights.

Best Margaritas by the Pitcher

Mi Patio

Meagan Simmons
Colorful piñatas hanging from the ceiling and plastic parrots on the wall are all you need to see to know that Mi Patio's pitchers of margarita may not be made with top-shelf ingredients. But who wants to waste high-quality sipping tequila when your margs will be paired with decadent, deep-fried, cheese-smothered Sonoran food? The pitchers of margarita from Mi Patio are the pitch-perfect accompaniment to the menu. We recommend pairing your half-gallon of marg with the Appetizer Supreme, a feast of chimis, flautas, nachos, and gyros meat. Yep, we said gyros. It's the perfect post-work escape or weekend treat for a group, and it's cheap enough not to break the bank.

Best Illegal Double-Fisted Margarita

Z'Tejas

We have been drinking at Z'Tejas for years, and our drink of choice has always been the Chambord Margarita. On a recent night out, we learned why. We'd just about finished one marg when our waitress kindly asked if we wanted another round. Yes, please. Not quite done with Marg #1, we sat back with both drinks before us, oblivious to the fact that clearly, we were no longer a law-abiding citizen. "Um, ma'am, I'm sorry," a deep voice said from behind, "but you simply can't sit with both of those drinks." Turns out, according to state law, you can't have more than four ounces of liquor in front of you at once, and the Chambord Margarita at Z'Tejas calls for nothing less. (Four ounces!? Jeez, that's a lot of booze!) Oops. It was nothing a straw didn't take care of quickly — and it solved a mystery. Now we know why we love the Chambord Margaritas at Z'Tejas so much.

Best Tequila

Cruz Tequila

ASU has a reputation for being a party school, but the three ASU alumni who own Cruz Tequila have created a refined sipping tequila that leaves Jose firmly in the collegiate past. Organic and au naturel ingredients are processed in Jalisco, Mexico, and this premium tequila doesn't rely on anything other than the real-deal agave to create its smoothness. No weird additives or unnatural flavors — just pure, hard agave. What's that you say? You don't like tequila? Put down the Jose and upgrade to a hometown tequila that can be sipped solo, mixed in fruity margaritas, or served on an ice block and still hold its own.

Best Of Phoenix®

Best Of

Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our terms of use, our cookies policy, and our privacy policy The Phoenix New Times may earn a portion of sales from products & services purchased through links on our site from our affiliate partners. ©2024 Phoenix New Times, LLC. All rights reserved.
Do Not Sell or Share My Information
Powered By Foundation