Naughty Nightcap

La Traviesa is J.T. Prime Kitchen & Cocktails’ mischievous twist on a margarita

By Alison Bailin Batz / Photo by Debby Wolvos

When Yuma chef Alex Trujillo expanded his popular J.T. Prime Kitchen & Cocktails concept to Scottsdale in 2021, he spared no expense on making a statement. The eatery serves modern steakhouse favorites with globally inspired flavors and bold cocktails in a dark, romantic setting.

“Our cocktails seduce all the senses. We want them to catch the diner’s eye coming to the table, offer an aromatic nose, and then pop on the palate just like our food,” says Nick Kim, general manager of J.T. Prime.

One of the restaurant’s most popular offerings is La Traviesa ($35), which translates to “naughty” or “mischievous.” “Everyone has a margarita on their menu, but this one is on a whole different level.”

It starts with Don Julio Añejo Tequila. “Most margaritas use blanco tequila,” Kim says. “We wanted to pack more of a punch, so we opted for anejo, which is aged for 18 months, resulting in a richer, more complex flavor profile with notes of citrus, smoke, caramel, and spiced honey.”

The tequila is combined with agave syrup, freshly squeezed lemon and lime juices, as a traditional margarita would be, but also grapefruit juice.

“While the agave, lemon, and lime enhance the sweet citrus notes in the tequila, the grapefruit’s bitterness juxtaposes the smokiness in a playful way,” Kim says.

The ingredients are shaken with ice and strained into an extra-large coupe glass before being topped with California cabernet sauvignon, giving the cocktail a two-toned visual effect, and an orchid. “California cabs can stand up to tequila yet are fruit-forward,” Kim says. “The fruity profile adds another layer of flavor to the sweet, tart, smoky, and slightly bitter elements, together creating a unique umami in every sip.”

J.T. Prime Kitchen + Cocktails, 4216 N. Brown Ave., Scottsdale; 480.597.5864; www.jtprimekitchen.com.