ZuZu Mango Tango
“The ZuZu Mango Tango is spicy, refreshing, and complex,” says Beverage Ambassador PJ Baron of this drink found at ZuZu. “We infuse premium tequila with grilled jalapeños from chef's garden. We add mango puree, fresh lime juice, and Agavero liqueur, which is distilled from damiana flowers (known in Latin America to get you out on the dance floor and make you fall in love... hence the name ZuZu Mango Tango).”
Baron shares that the drink pairs well with the restaurant’s brunch specialty, The John Berry.
“The smoky jalapeño vibe, fresh lime, and tajin rim as an accompaniment to the grilled shrimp are on point. The mango, spaghetti squash, and tomatoes all complement each other, building layers of flavor that will keep you coming back for that next bite, next sip, and second round. It's a great brunch combo, and available seven days a week.”
ZuZu offers brunch, happy hour and dinner, and is also known for its famous dessert, The Show Stopper Shake.
$14; HotelValleyHo.com
Illicit Affair
“The first description word that comes to mind is illuminating,” says Christina Demas, the lead bartender at Maple & Ash, of this drink. “The drink glows, once the first one is ordered, it turns heads. It is light, but booze-forward, it’s easy to drink a couple and not feel like you have a sugar overload.”
This brightly colored drink is a mixture of Belvedere vodka, a house-made dragon fruit syrup, citrus, elderflower, and cucumber. Plus, Demas says, a few other secret ingredients to round out the flavors.
“The [creation of] Illicit Affair was a joint effort between myself and Majdi Kayyali, our bar director,” she says. “We were looking to add an eye-catching vodka cocktail—something that was approachable and sexy. I joke and call it the Cosmopolitan of Scottsdale. It also shares the same name as one of Taylor Swift’s new songs. It’s easily become our top-selling cocktail.”
The drink pairs well with the flavor profiles on Maple & Ash’s menu, including its Fire Roasted Seafood Tower, or one of its wood-fired steaks.
$18; MapleAndAsh.com
HULA's Hurricane
At HULA's Modern Tiki, settle in for the storm with this drink, which was originally created during World War II in New Orleans, where whiskey was in short supply, and then spread throughout the world's island cultures where rum-based tropical cocktails are popular, and storms plentiful, according M. Dana Mule, the owner of HULA's.
The glass its served in is similar in shape to the "hurricane lamps" of that time.
"The Hurricane is a celebratory cocktail with bold flavors, and a subtle, strong gust of 'wow' on the backend. Perfect for all occasions, or any bad day!" Mule says.
The drink is made with dark, light and gold rums infused with pineapple and vanilla bean, and topped with tropical juices and dark rum.
According to Mule, "The HULA'S Hurricane pairs well with our food, since it all has a little kick! It's great with Hilo Sliders, Poke, Thai Chicken Bowls, and, Jawaiian Jerk!"
$10; HulasModernTiki.com
Grapefruit Basil Martini
“We wanted to incorporate some of the fresh ingredients the kitchen uses into the bar program so there would be a great synchronicity between the food and drinks offered,” explains Billy Bessinger, bar manager at Fat Ox.
The result is this Grapefruit Basil Martini, a drink that is a refreshing martini balanced with the freshness of bright basil.
The cocktail is made with Ketel One Botanical-Grapefruit and Rose Vodka, Pamplemousse Liqueur, lemon juice and fresh basil.
“It pairs well with the brick-grilled chicken and all the seasonal fresh cheese dishes, Chef Rochelle Daniel and her team come up with,” Bessinger says.
$16; ILoveFatOx.com