Taste DRINK
BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ
GO AHEAD, GET BITTER(S) Valentine’s Day drinks with bite
This year, forget sweets for your sweetie! Whether you’re single, coupled up or something in between, it’s the perfect time to get a little bitter – or at the least in regards to your drink. If unfamiliar, bitters are the botanically infused agents of flavor that give cocktails an extra dose of taste and tang. We’ve rounded up 10 musttry cocktails that incorporate bitters.
Walnut 46 Steak 44 Heaven in a glass, this concoction uses walnut bitters to infuse a nuttiness to its base spirit, Maker’s Mark 46. A Luxardo cherry and oranges are then added to the shaker and it’s strained over ice. $18. www. steak44.com.
No. 04 Windsor The gin-based drink combines fresh-squeezed grapefruit, hop bitters (yes, as in beer hops!), and cardamom syrup. The result – it tastes like the IPA of cocktails, but less filling and more flavor forward. $10.50. www.windsoraz.com.
First Mate Little Cleo's Seafood Legend Thoroughly tropical, the First Mate is made with Kraken Rum, Gran Torres Orange Liqueur, orgeat syrup, lemon juice and cherry bark bitters, which – fittingly – anchor the drink with its earthy notes. $11. www.littlecleos.com.
AZ Orange Gin & Tonic The Refuge Cafe This citrusy and light drink comes together perfectly, just like an early morning Arizona sunset. It is made with local O.H.S.O. #Gin, tonic, and a few dashes of orange bitters, garnished with a fresh orange slice. $6.50. www.therefugeaz.com.
Kentucky Apple Crusta The Henry Think grown-up apple cider. Warm and boozy, it features Copper & Kings Brandy, spiced curacao liqueur, apple cider and the warming spices of cinnamon and allspice, courtesy of Elemakule Tiki Bitters. $11. www.thehenryrestaurant.com.
High Five The Gladly With Cointreau for a slight citrus flavor, a riesling-infused cherry cordial adding sweetness, and Iwai Japanese Whisky resulting in a bite, this cocktail is nearly perfect. But, the addition of bitters made with Lapsang Souchong (a black tea with smoky aroma) bring earthiness. $12. www.thegladly.com.
PHOTO BY SARA ABBOTT
Rye the Way Crudo The Latin-inspired cocktail is marked with warm, smoky and chocolaty flavors thanks to Mas Mole Bitters, which are combined with Rittenhouse Rye Whiseky and Chichicapa Mezcal. It’s topped with spiced Benedictine and sweet doline blanc to round it out. $13. www.crudoaz.com.
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Uptown February '18
Martinez Honor Amongst Thieves This dynamic take on a martini starts with Hayman’s Old Tom Gin and vermouth, and then a hint of sweetness is added via maraschino liqueur. It’s finished with angostura bitters to give an herbal note on the nose and mouth. $14. www. honoraz.com.
Your Money or Your Life Buck &Rider For a new take on the OldFashioned, this signature cocktail highlights housemade orange bitters, resulting in a citrus zing. The remainder of the recipe contains Old Forester Bourbon and then two liqueurs: herbal Benedictine and Combier, the world’s first-ever Triple Sec. $11. www.buckandrider.com. Spicy Javarita Wright’s Bar at the Arizona Biltmore A hot twist on a classic margarita, the Spica Javarita features Cazadores Reposado, Cointreau, fresh made sour and housemade chili-coffee bitters. $16. www. arizonabiltmore.com.