SIGNATURE SIPS

Raise a glass to these popular specialties of the house

Sometime in the 1930s or 1940s, a guest at Arizona Biltmore challenged bartender Gene Sulit to dream up a refreshing, tequila-based cocktail to help beat the heat. As a result, the tequila sunrise was born. And while it may have been Arizona’s first signature cocktail, it was far from the last. Here are some of the chicest signature cocktails at venues across the Valley.

Ginger Margarita

J&G Steakhouse

On the menu since opening night in 2008, this twist on the standard Southwestern favorite infuses Asian accents by adding housemade ginger simple syrup to the build, and lining each glass with similarly infused sugar. The ginger’s refreshing herbal aftertaste naturally cools the palate on a hot summer’s day while amplifying the tequila and agave. $17. www. jgsteakhousescottsdale.com.

Last Drop LON’s Last Drop at the Hermosa Inn

The Hermosa Inn was built in the 1930s by cowboy artist Lon Megargee as his residence and art studio. Its bar – Last Drop – is named after his most famous painting, The Last Drop from His Stetson. An homage to the painting since day one, the Last Drop cocktail features a blend of High West Double Rye Whiskey, Luxardo Apricot Liqueur, sweet vermouth, and blood orange. $5 though Sept. 10 to honor the 100year anniversary of the painting; $15 thereafter. www.hermosainn. com.

Piñata Margarita

The Mexicano

When creating the cocktail program for this over-the-top Mexican hotspot, the bar team had carte blanche to go wild, which resulted in this in-your-face fiesta complete with a colorful mini pinata souvenir. The cocktail itself starts with a tequila-based top-shelf margarita and then features the guest’s choice of salt rim, cotton candy, Mexican candy, boba, Sour Patch

Kids, edible flowers, and fresh fruit. $32. www.themexicano.com.

Hula’S Mai Tai

Hula’s Modern Tiki

With nearly half a million mai tais sold since 2009, Hula’s is Scottsdale’s favorite destination for this classic Tiki cocktail. Warning: this is not a fruity take on the classic, as many are today, instead featuring gold rum, dark rum, orgeat almond syrup, orange curacao, and pineapple and lime juices. It is exceptionally spirit-forward with big notes of lime. $12. www.hulasmoderntiki.com.

The Silver Fox Liberty Station and Keeler’s Neighborhood Steakhouse

This sophisticated combination of Buffalo Trace Bourbon, espresso cordial, and black walnut bitters has long been to honor concept founder Paul Keeler. The cocktail became even more special in 2021 when the family-owned restaurants lost Keeler. Today, it is the daily way in which patrons and employees alike can raise a glass to the hospitality icon. $16. www. libertystationtavern.com.

Limoncello Margarita

Campo Italian Bistro & Bar

A mashup of the everyone’s favorite Mexican happy hour import and one of Italy’s most beloved digestifs, often sipped on its own after a meal to aid in digestion, this has been the far-and-away crowd pleaser since Campo opened its doors. It combines liqueur made from lemon zest with Olmeca Altos Reposado, lemon juice and house simple syrup for the perfect mix of sweet and salty in a glass. $14. www.campoitalian.com.