Wicked Sips

Cocktails that flirt with the dark side

By Alison Bailin Batz

There is a little mischief brewing behind Valley bars this fall. From playful and mysterious to devilishly delicious and downright naughty, these local cocktails hint they are a little trouble, but with flavors well worth the risk.

Hexed Harvest
Rusconi’s American Kitchen

A bewitching brew with a bite, Hexed Harvest mixes Sauza Tequila with carrot juice, lime juice and agave for an earthy-sweet combination sharpened by bright citrus. The vibrant orange pour arrives in a classic coupe rimmed with black sea salt and topped with a marshmallow ghost, adding a frightfully fun finish while warding off any wayward spirits. $15. www.rusconiskitchen.com.

Goodbye Earl
Saint Urban

Buffalo Trace Bourbon meets Earl Grey demerara syrup and black lemon bitters in this clever nod to The Chicks’ iconic revenge anthem. Spirit-forward yet balanced, it pairs the bourbon’s warming character with fragrant tea and citrus before arriving over ice in a rocks glass with lemon. $15. www.sainturbanaz.com.

Illicit Affair
Maple & Ash Scottsdale

There is no hiding this indiscretion. Brilliant pink in color, the seductive cocktail combines Grey Goose Vodka, St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur, dragon fruit, cucumber, basil, and lemon for a mix of earthy, floral and fresh flavors. A crystal-clear ice cube embedded with a real flower makes the temptation even harder to resist. $23. www.mapleandash.com.

Omni Zombie
Tiki Social at Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia

Inspired by the original zombie cocktail created at Don the Beachcomber in 1934, this potent potion mixes Smith & Cross Jamaican Navy Strength Rum, Myers’s Original Dark Jamaican Rum and Bacardí 8 Rum with grapefruit liqueur, cinnamon syrup, falernum, lime juice, and angostura bitters. It has bright, warm flavors and a bounty of spirits. $18. www.omniscottsdale.com.

Hula’S Painkiller
Hula’S Modern Tiki

This tropical remedy traces its roots to the famed Soggy Dollar Bar in the British Virgin Islands. Bacardi Gold Rum, coconut cream, pineapple juice, and orange juice are shaken and served over crushed ice before freshly grated nutmeg and an orange wheel finish the golden-hued cocktail. An optional dark rum float adds an extra dose of “medicine.” $12. www.hulasmoderntiki.com.

Black Magic Woman
Pigtails

A little sorcery transforms the whiskey sour here. Blackberry-infused Buffalo Trace combines with housemade sour green apple bitters, honey, lemon and vanilla-hibiscus grenadine beneath a silky seafoam. Finished with a blackberry, the dark beauty balances fruit and floral sweetness while cleverly concealing the whiskey’s kick. $17. www.pigtailscocktails.com.

Army of the Dead
Liberty Station American Tavern

Rally the troops for this spirited combination of Buffalo Trace, Liquid Alchemist Orgeat and lemon juice. Served in a coupe and garnished with an orchid, the seemingly simple trio is anything but so, balancing the warmth of bourbon, the richness of almond, and bright citrus while bringing a little undead energy to the table this fall. $15. www.libertystationtavern.com.

Phoenix Cauldron
Carcara

No toil and trouble required. Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Aperol, cider, and prickly pear cactus jelly bubble together in this fall-inspired recipe, offering baked apple, subtle citrus and desert sweetness. Served in a black salt-rimmed flute and finished with a smoky effect, it brings plenty of hocus-pocus to every sip. $16. www.carcararestaurant.com.