Since there's really no better accessory than a cocktail in your hand, each week brings you a tasty adult beverage from one of our favorite drinking establishments, complete with recipe.
This week: The Saint Germain at AZ 88.
The more than 20-year-old Scottsdale hot spot AZ 88 serves up martinis just like we like them: ice cold and nearly overflowing. The Saint Germain is citrus-y, light, and dangerous, given that nothing but booze goes in the mix.
Thank God for surface tension - it's the only thing keeping the liquor in the glass rather than all over the stainless-steel bar. We had to take a few careful sips off the top before we even attempted to pick this one up.
(Recipe after the jump.)
Ingredients
2 oz St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur
2 oz Grey Goose Pear Vodka
1-2 oz Champagne
1 Lemon peel twist
Thoroughly mix the elderflower liqueur and pear vodka in a martini shaker over ice. Drop the lemon peel twist into a martini glass that has been chilled until frosted. Pour the mixture into the glass. Then, put the glass within drinking distance and fill until brimming with champagne. Seriously, keep going. Okay, is gravity starting to get the better of surface tension? Now would be the time to stop.
The first slurp sip teases your mouth. First, you taste the citrus notes of elderflower and pear; they're almost grapefruit like. The finish is distinctly champagne: bubbly, light and a bit dry. It's so fresh, we didn't want to spill an ounce.
P/S: While you're there, check out AZ 88's mod, mirrored restrooms -- that is if you can find the doors that blend sneakily into the back wall.
