cheers
ONE LAST FLING
MERITAGE, an urban tavern’s perfect pour of springtime BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ
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PHOTO BY DEBBY WOLVOS
n January, the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa unveiled MERITAGE, an urban tavern. “We’d had our traditional Meritage Steakhouse concept since 2002, and it was time for a change,” says the restaurant’s manager Travis Parsley. “With the upscale urban tavern, we have moved to a more eclectic, sustainable menu and seasonal cocktails but are still sourcing ingredients locally whenever possible.” Enter One Last Fling ($13), a tantalizingly tart cocktail, with distinct floral appeal, whose base spirit is Commerce Gin from Arizona Distilling Company. “While not made from all five of Arizona’s famous Cs – copper, cattle, cotton, citrus and climate – the gin pays tribute to Arizona by developing the gin using five Cs of its own: cardamom, coriander, cumin, cinnamon and citrus,” Parsley says. “It’s very smooth with mild botanicals.” Both Bertina Elderflower and Tempus Fugit Violette liqueurs are combined with the gin in a shaker over ice with fresh lemon juice, housemade simple syrup and cloudberry, a raspberry-like fruit. “The elderflower adds hints of passionfruit, peach and pear, while the violette adds subtle floral notes,” Parsley says. “The simple syrup provides a quick hit of sweetness while the lemon juice provides acidity on the tongue and balances out the flavors.” One Last Fling is served in a martini coupe garnished with edible marigolds. MERITAGE, an urban tavern, 5350 E. Marriott Drive, Phoenix; 480.293.3939; www.jwdesertridge.com.
SO SCOTTSDALE! |
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| MARCH 2017