By local contributor
Christina Barrueta
Tequila is more than shots and lime wedges, and in ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ, bartenders treat it with the respect it deserves. A Mexican spirit representing centuries of tradition, tequila is distilled exclusively from the heart of the Blue Weber agave plant and produced in three main styles. Clear blanco ("white") is unaged or aged less than two months with a fresh agave pepperiness; golden reposado ("rested") mellows in oak barrels for two to12 months for vanilla and caramel notes; and amber añejo ("aged") spends up to three years in oak imparting a whiskey-like complexity. Here are eight places to enjoy this spirit of the desert on a tequila tasting tour in ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ. And when you're ready to continue your tasting adventure, be sure to check out our roundup of the best margaritas in ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ.
Known for its serious agave program, The Mission pours only additive-free tequilas, whether that’s in cocktails or curated flights served in custom iron racks. The latter includes a quartet of Blancos, oak-aged Reposados, and rich Añejos, plus a Premier tasting showcasing rarities like El Tesoro's 85th Anniversary Extra Añejo aged for more than three years in Booker’s 30th anniversary bourbon barrels.
Tommy Bahama's location amidst the Kierland Commons shops is prime real estate for a boutique break. Sip on the Blood Orange Margarita for a sunset-hued medley of blanco tequila, Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur (an Italian cordial made with Sanguinello oranges and Sicilian lemons), and housemade sour mix for the perfect warm-weather refresher.
With cocktails sharing equal billing in the name, expectations run high. Mixologist Richard Allison delivers, crafting drinks that hold their own against James Beard Award-winner Alex Stratta's fine-dining menu. Look for inventive seasonal creations like Blanco Lullaby, a cinnamon-dusted combination of Codigo 1530 Blanco, lime juice, and Thai basil and lemon verbena-scented orgeat to see how well tequila plays with unexpected flavors.
At Onyx Bar & Lounge, views of the Sonoran Desert are the ideal backdrop for the beloved Prickly Pear Margarita made with the sweet and tangy fruit of the prickly pear cactus. Want more heat? Head to the property’s comfort-food canteen, Proof, for the Spicy Prickly Bikini Rita, where jalapeño-infused Herradura Blanco adds a smoky kick to the cactus fruit base.
Bar Manager Stevie Raeanne changes the menu seasonally at this sleek Italian steakhouse, which means drinks like the Melone Verde rotate with what's fresh. This one takes tequila into honeydew melon territory, backed by génépy (an alpine herbal liqueur), lime, and lemongrass. Garnished with a bouquet of mint, it’s bright and floral and goes down way too easy.
Seven margaritas live on the menu here, each one amped up with additions like guava or watermelon. But expect the Ghost Rider to turn the most heads. Part cocktail and part pyrotechnics, a mix of blanco tequila, mint, lime, and agave nectar is decorated with a house-made skull-shaped sugar cube that is soaked with whiskey, set ablaze, and showered with cinnamon for literal sparks.
The Tsurai hits all the right notes for anyone who likes their tequila with some heat. Blanco from Tequila Corrido – a brand with founders who live in ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ – is shaken with passion fruit and Aperol, then kicked up with Firewater Bitters, a tincture made from habanero peppers, organic herbs, and spices. Tropical and spicy, it's a perfect pairing for Uchi's award-winning modern Japanese cuisine.
Chef Ivan Jacobo's intimate fine-dining spot in Old Town feels like a secret garden, and Azalea Barr’s sophisticated bar program is part of that discovery. For her clarified Noir Blanc, La Gritona reposado tequila is combined with crème de cacao and dry vermouth and crowned with a cloud of coffee foam – proof that tequila can crash the espresso martini party.