Step behind the bar and pour, mix, shake and chug your way through the latest cocktail offering at Westin Kierland. “Crafted Cocktails with Matt” is the new hands-on offering at the resort as part of its new cocktail program “Crafted at Westin.” The class is led by Matt Allen, the resort’s mixologist and keeper of all liquor-knowledge, in other words our new favorite person.
Upon arrival, participants are welcomed with an Arizona-twist on a gin and tonic and their own bar station complete with recipe cards, pre-measured ingredients, fruit, shakers, fancy glasses and more. Each station is even topped off with small bites to accompany each cocktail, because what’s a whiskey without a bite of slow-roasted lamb? The class entails 90-minutes of liquor history, mixology tricks and cocktail-creating practice, not to mention drinking your own creations—and yes, they turn out delicious. Create and savor a vodka-, a whisky- and a rum-based cocktail, and fear not, recipe cards along with shakers and discounts on appetizers are included in the class as well. We listed the taste-tested and delicious recipes below so you can get a glimpse of the enticing drinks that await.
AZGNT
- 1 1/2 oz. Arizona Distilling Company’s Commerce Gin
- 3/4 oz. John’s Premium Tonic Syrup
- 2 Dashes of AZ Bitters Lab Orange Sunshine Bitters
- Club Soda, to top
- Rosemary Sprig, to garnish
Directions: Build over ice in rocks glass. Garnish with rosemary sprig.
The Miner’s Wife (pictured)
- 1.5 oz. Desert Diamond Distillery Gold Miner Vodka
- 0.5 oz. Carpano Bianco Vermouth
- 1 oz. Pink Peppercorn Honey Syrup
- 1 oz. Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
- 1 Fresh Basil Leaf
- 6 drops Barkeep Lavender Bitters
Directions: All all ingredients to cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake for 10 seconds. Strain into a Collins glass over fresh ice and garnish with an expressed lemon peel.
Rhubon Sour
- 1 oz. Tincup American Whiskey
- 1 oz. Art in the Age Rhubarb Tea
- 1 oz. Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
- 1 oz. Agave Syrup
- 4 drops Fee Brothers Cardamom Bitters
- 1 Egg White (optional)
Directions: All all ingredients to a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake for 10 seconds. Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with an expressed lemon peel.
Caribbean Café
- 0.75 oz Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum
- 0.75 oz. George NOLA Coffee Liquor
- 0.75 oz. Orgeat Syrup
- 1.5 oz. Almond Milk
Directions: All all ingredients to a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake for 10 seconds. Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with freshly ground nutmeg.
Don’t feel like mixing it up yourself? The resort is also pouring up new and invigorating cocktails like Pomegranate Green Tea, Cucumber Basil Gimlet and Rosemary Pineapple Margarita. Local flavors and natural ingredients make up these sip-savoring beverages and can be found at The Rim Bar, located in the resort lobby.
“Crafted Cocktails with Matt” is $50 per person and is offered Saturdays, from 4-5:30 p.m. from March 12 through April 30. Advance reservations are required. Call 480.624.1268 for more information or to make a reservation.
