Katie Johnson

Matt Carter's, Zinc Bistro is your French escape from the 100 plus temperatures of Arizona, offering fine dining and drinks in a metropolitan francaphone atmosphere.

Located smack dab in the middle of Kierland Commons, Zinc Bistro is the perfect spot for ambitious outdoor shoppers in need of a refreshing pick-me-up, specifically their Pettilier.

The Pétiller is a simple, bubbly concoction of sparkling lemonade, brut champagne, and supposedly vodka. The Pétiller, which roughly translated means "sparkle" en français, is, in even rougher translation, a fancy adult lemonade.

The dryness of brut cuts the sweetness of the lemonade and the raspberry infused vodka, making the cocktail subtle but satisfying. It's an ideal beverage for those in need of a little midday excitement without feeling like a midday alcoholic.

And besides, the French drink at lunch all the time, right? ...Right.

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Katie Johnson

The school year may be over, but summer session is well underway at Culinary Dropout. The Scottsdale gastropub, soon to open up a second location in Central Phoenix, is Fox Restaurant Concepts' "rebel-child," dishing out grade-worthy grub and a style that says it's just too cool for culinary school.

Culinary Dropout's cocktail menu sports playful school-themed titles such as the Home-Ec Martini, the After School Special, and the Dirty School Girl. With so many options, it's hard to choose just one; luckily our inner bad-boy spoke out and ordered the Black Apple Mischief.

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Since there's really no better accessory than a cocktail in your hand, each week Jackalope Ranch brings you a tasty adult beverage from one of our favorite drinking establishments, complete with recipe. This week: The Cantarita at Astor House.More >>

Since there's really no better accessory than a cocktail in your hand, each week Jackalope Ranch brings you a tasty adult beverage from one of our favorite drinking establishments, complete with recipe. This week: Ruby Red at St. Francis.

Katie Johnson

St. Francis is easily a CenPho favorite, offering fresh menu items, seasonal selections, weekend brunch, and booze.

The restaurant's daily 3 to 6 p.m. happy hour features half off on all wines, wells and beers, and $5 signature cocktails. At that price, you'd be hardpressed not to try one. And we're suggesting the Ruby Red.

Simple yet satisfying, the Ruby Red combines fresh squeezed grapefruit, lime juice, simple syrup, and Campari. It's a tart pick-me-up for daily-grind Dorothy's looking to turn a gray day to Technicolor.

And because there's no place like home, you can try this drink in your own kitchen.

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Since there's really no better accessory than a cocktail in your hand, each week Jackalope Ranch brings you a tasty adult beverage from one of our favorite drinking establishments, complete with recipe. This week: Brass Monkey at The Parlor

Katie Johnson

Aptly named, The Parlor is the perfect spot to enjoy quality pizza, sample signature drinks, and pay homage to the building's beauty parlor predecessor.

The clean, contemporary restaurant manages a fresh take on Italian fare while preserving the classics and tying in pieces of the building's history. Of course, the drinks are no exception.

The Parlor blends innovative cocktails without crossing that fine line of too sweet or too much. Take for instance, the Brass Monkey.

A creative combination of orange, Franziskaner, Clemont Creole Shrubb, and Ciroc Peach, the Brass Monkey brings tang to your taste buds. And with the generous size of cocktail glasses offered at the bar, it's clear that the Parlor does not monkey around.

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Since there's really no better accessory than a cocktail in your hand, each week Jackalope Ranch brings you a tasty adult beverage from one of our favorite drinking establishments, complete with recipe. This week: Thyme Stands Still at R Bar

Katie johnson

The R Bar at the Camelback Inn is home to a generous outdoor patio, a southwestern inspired cocktail list, and any locals looking for a mini getaway. Whether you stay a few days or a few hours, you might be tempted to make your visit last longer by ordering the Thyme Stands Still.

The Thyme Stands Still sets itself apart from the run-of-the-mill cocktail by offering an innovative blend of herb, Prosecco, raspberry, and vodka. 

Add to that the subtle traces of lemon sour, vanilla liqueur, and agave nectar, and you've got yourself a drink that's not only refreshing, but also rejuvenating. It's enough to have you leaving the resort feeling completely renewed -- even if you didn't pack a suitcase.

To take your staycation to the next level, you can try making this recipe at home.

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Since there's really no better accessory than a cocktail in your hand, each week brings you a tasty adult beverage from one of our favorite drinking establishments, complete with recipe. This week: The Herb Box Sangria at The Herb Box

Katie Johnson

After a long day of shopping or people watching at Scottsdale Fashion Square, it's nice to have a cocktail nearby. Thankfully, the Southbridge location of The Herb Box (literally walking distance from Nordstrom) is there to help.

One of the most popular mixtures from their 'drinx' menu, is The Herb Box Sangria. Red wine gets just the right exotic flare with the help of peach schnapps, apricot brandy and really just the whole fruit of the loom gang. But just like fancy jungle juice it will by you have you drunk before you can say "Sheck Peas." Oh well, looks like you'll just have to shop yourself sober, darn.

Recipe after the jump...

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Since there's really no better accessory than a cocktail in your hand, each week Jackalope Ranch brings you a tasty adult beverage from one of our favorite drinking establishments, complete with recipe. This week: Grapefruit Infused Basil Gimlet at Chelsea's Kitchen

Katie Johnson

Chelsea's Kitchen is just the type of "roadhouse" you'd expect from LGO Hospitality -- good food and drink, and convenient valet service. And its modern take on Americana adds serious character to its small, but dimensional Shine On menu.

Take for instance, the Grapefruit-Infused Basil Gimlet.

Although it's listed as just "Basil Gimlet" on the menu, the bartending staff at Chelsea's Kitchen will gladly offer to add some citrus to your cocktail; and if they do, take them up on it. 

The basil adds some much-needed refreshment but the grapefruit is what gives it a standout personality.

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Since there's really no better accessory than a cocktail in your hand, each week Jackalope Ranch brings you a tasty adult beverage from one of our favorite drinking establishments, complete with recipe. This week: Walter 'Cran' kite at Bliss / reBAR.

Katie Johnson

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While the name of Downtown's Bliss / reBAR might be a little confusing, the restaurant/bar's mission is not. The spot on Fourth and Garfield streets aims to provide an urban oasis of affordable food and drink and an environment that is, contrary to its downtown surroundings, relaxed. 

Bliss/reBAR is situated within walking distance of ASU Downtown's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism, so it only makes sense that one of their daily signature drink specials is fondly named "The Walter 'Cran' kite."   

A basic mixture of cranberry juice, cranberry vodka, apple pucker, sprite, and soda, the drink is perhaps much sweeter than our memories of the most trusted man in news. 

Like some of your college classes, The Walter 'Cran'kite is only available on Tuesdays. Unlike your college education -- at only $3 a glass -- it will still leave you in good financial standing.

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Katie Johnson

​Fox Restaurant Concepts have whipped up a fresh batch of cocktails at their newest location of NoRTH Arcadia. Deviating slightly in menu and manner, NoRTH Fattoria Italiana offers a more rustic, industrial ambiance, making this week's featured cocktail, the Julietta, seem a bit juxtaposed.

This feminine concoction is a flavorful bouquet of elderflower liqueur, ginger, and vanilla (courtesy of their house-infused vodka). The whole arrangement is poured into a champagne goblet, topped with Prosecco, and adorned with a single pink orchid.

Despite its girlish figure, this cocktail can hold its own. The effervescence of the sparkling wine is the perfect touch to bring the complementary floral ingredients to life. And for those of you curious to try it but too self-conscious to order it in public, we've got the recipe for you right here.

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