Toss the gin and tonic. And don't settle for a mediocre margarita. We've got 11 fresh summer cocktails that will have you dreaming of July all year long (really). Bottoms up.
Tennessee Peach at Del Frisco's Grille Who doesn't love fresh, juicy peaches in the summer? So just imagine them in a cocktail, mixed with Jack Daniels sour mash whiskey (from Tennessee), Arizona honey, lime juice and jalapeño -- a luscious little combo that brings a touch of heat to the sweet ($10). Now imagine drinking the Tennessee Peach on a second-story patio overlooking Squaw Peak. Sweet, indeed!
Check out the full summer cocktails slideshow here.
Coconut Margarita at The Mission
The cocktails here are pricey, no doubt, but sometimes a little splurge is in order -- especially when a classic cocktail like the margarita has been tweaked in such a deliciously tropical, Pina Colada kind of way. The Coconut Margarita brings together premium Cruz del Sol tequila (an ultra-smooth, award-winning reposado made by a trio of ASU alums), Grand Marnier, coconut cream liqueur, pineapple juice, sweet and sour and toasted coconut ($15). Any questions?
Dazed and Infused at Crudo
Chef-owner Cullen Campbell's sparely furnished new restaurant, specializing in crudo (Italy's elegant answer to sashimi), is already making waves with serious food-lovers since its June opening. And Micah Olson's beautifully crafted cocktails create yet another reason to go. Try his Dazed and Infused (a feminine little number that in no way conjures Led Zep) and you'll see what all the fuss is about: sparkling wine, strawberry-infused aperol (an Italian aperitif with an orange flavor), fresh lime juice and passion fruit syrup ($10). Yum!
The Hemingway at Citizen Public House Ernest Hemingway loved him some daiquiris, and The Hemingway (or Papa Doble) was created in Havana in his honor. Mixology maestro Richie Moe stays true to the original, throwing Don Q Cristal clear rum in a shaker with grapefruit juice, lime juice, sugar and maraschino cherry liqueur, then serving this handsome refresher straight up in a martini glass with a garnish of lime zest ($11). It makes easy, all-night-long drinking as long as you remember the sun also rises.
De Rigueur at Old Town Whiskey
Tucked inside The Saguaro Hotel, this modern-day saloon offers a comprehensive collection of whiskey, bourbon, rye and scotch. Old Town's De Rigueur is a cocktail classic, popular in the 30s after Prohibition's repeal. It's a grown-up drink, made more refreshing with a couple of contemporary tweaks: smooth Bulleit rye with aperol, grapefruit juice, lemon, honey and mint ($13).
Floradora at Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails
When it comes to craft cocktails, this mid-century-inspired Kimpton hotel in CityScape has got it going on. Try the feminine Floradora (Beefeater's gin, fresh lime, raspberry syrup, fresh ginger and fizzy soda, $10) and you'll be eager to come back, just to see what else Blue Hound's talented mixologists can do.
The Piggy Bank at The Mint Leave it to a trendy hot spot like The Mint to make use of a trendy ingredient like shochu -- a clear spirit often called "Japanese vodka." The Piggy Bank cocktail couldn't be simpler or more appealing: Ty-Ku shochu (also spelled soju), pressed watermelon and lime juice, served in a martini glass with a watermelon slice for garnish ($13). Be careful! This one goes down way too easily.
#17 at Windsor
If there's a better neighborhood hangout than the Windsor, we haven't found it. Grab a seat at the center-stage bar (unless you're macho enough to brave the patio) and order a numbered cocktail. This summer, we're partial to the #17 -- a cool-looking concoction of cucumber vodka, green tea syrup, fresh cucumber and mint. How Green Is My Valley! Priced at $9 after 5 p.m., #17 is $5 between 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Mojito at Rum Bar
Don't be hating on the mojito just because it's been on every cocktail menu, in every possible permutation, for the past seven or eight years. It's a super-refreshing Caribbean classic, and nobody in town makes a better one than the Rum Bar. Matusalem (a premium Caribbean white rum) is one of the secrets, and demerara (unrefined sugar with a rich molasses-like flavor) is the other. Two of these will put you in an island state of mind ($9).
Blueberry Yuzu at The Grind
Although this narrow, dimly lit restaurant and bar is probably most famous for its coal-fired burgers, the place does an excellent job on craft cocktails as well. Try the Blueberry Yuzu -- a gorgeously purple mixture of Ketel One vodka, fresh blueberry puree, yuzu (Japanese citrus fruit, tart like a grapefruit with overtones of orange), lime juice and fresh basil -- and you'll see why this neighborhood watering hole has a following ($10).
Sake Snowcone at Sushi Roku
The kid in you won't be able to resist Sushi Roku's adult version of the snow cone, made with Ozeki sake and shaved ice. Offered in three flavors -- fresh peach (puree), fresh strawberry (muddled) and fresh ginger (simple syrup), they're cold, pretty and oh-so-delicious ($5).
And check out our other lists: 10 Favorite Meat Shops 10 Favorite Drive-Thrus 10 Favorite Spots for Guacamole 10 Favorite Theme Restaurants 15 Favorite Late Night Eats 10 Favorite Summer Foods 7 Favorite Soul Food Places 10 Favorite Sangrias 7 Favorite Paleteria 10 Favorite Breakfast Places 10 Favorite International Markets 10 Favorite Spots for Crepes in Greater Phoenix 11 Favorite Phoenix Beers 10 Favorite Spots for Seafood in Greater Phoenix 10 Favorite Gelato Spots 10 Favorite Burrito Joints in Metro Phoenix 10 Favorite Spots for Wings in Metro Phoenix 11 Things to Eat and Drink Before You Leave Phoenix Ten Favorite Phoenix Hot Sauces and Salsas Top Ten Spots for Mac 'n' Cheese in the Valley Three Favorite Espresso Shots in Metro Phoenix Ten Favorite Metro Phoenix Farmers' Markets Ten Favorite Metro Phoenix Grilled Cheese Sandwiches Eleven Favorite Favorite Places for Sushi in the Valley Ten Favorite Metro Phoenix Cupcakes Eleven Favorite Barbecue Joints in Greater Phoenix Ten Favorite Metro Phoenix Wine Bars Ten Favorite Phoenix Irish Restaurant & Pubs Six Favorite Specialty Cocktails in Phoenix Ten Favorite Metro Phoenix Craft Beer Bars Ten Favorite Gourmet Pizza Shops in the Valley Five Favorite Japanese Restaurants in Phoenix Ten Favorite Margaritas in Metro Phoenix Ten Favorite Coffee Shops in Phoenix Five Favorite Thai Restaurants in Metro Phoenix Eleven Favorite Ice Cream Shops in Greater Phoenix Ten Favorite Phoenix Happy Hours Five Favorite Sonoran Dogs in the Valley Ten Favorite Hot Dogs in Greater Phoenix Ten Favorite Desserts in Phoenix Ten Favorite First Date Restaurants Ten Favorite Burgers in Greater Phoenix Ten Favorite Downtown Phoenix Restaurants for Late Night Dining Ten Favorite Vegetarian Entrees in Metro Phoenix Ten Favorite Chinese Restaurants in Greater Phoenix
