AMOROUS ELIXIR

50 Shades of Rosé plays cupid with the sweet, floral Love Potion

Femininity rules at 50 Shades of Rosé, which recently opened at Indian Plaza. The light, bright bar is awash in red and pink with art installations, neon signs, and more than 10,000 imitation roses hung in every direction, and every drink is designed with dames in mind.

“People are often surprised we have a full menu of shot options beyond our signature and shareable offerings,” says Ben Foreman, owner of the bar. “Rather than headache-inducing options you might force down on your 21st birthday, each of our shots is a show.”

According to Foreman, copious research and development, including months sourcing unique vessels, went into finalizing each shot on the menu. Of note is the head-turning Love Potion ($10).

“For about 20 years, Tiffany & Co. necklaces and bracelets with distinctive heart-shaped charms were the jewelry of choice for what seemed every female on Earth,” Foreman says. “When we found small heart-shaped glasses that resembled those charms, we knew we had to find a way to showcase them.”

Foreman and his team decided early on to make the shot a bold red color.

“We didn’t want to just choose a cherry flavor to match the color and be done with it, so instead we decided to do a play on the pineapple upside-down cake cocktail by combining Absolut Vanilla vodka with grenadine and fresh pineapple juice.”

Once given a good shake with ice, the ingredients take on the grenadine’s red hue before being strained into the heart-shaped glass, which is then sealed.

“Meant to be opened tableside, the shot is sweet and tropical with a fruity finish and light tartness from the pineapple,” Foreman says. “It tastes like falling in love in an island paradise.”

50 Shades of Rosé, 7419 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale; 480.232.9182; www. 50shadesofroseaz.com.