In between the tropical tastes of summer and pumpkin-overload days of fall, there’s the rainy, gray days of monsoon season. This year, Sedona’s Kimpton Amara Resort and Spa is tapping into the beloved season by offering up monsoon-inspired cocktails at SaltRock Southwest Kitchen.
The new cocktail menu which pays homage to the smells, textures and vegetation of Sedona during this time of year, was created by head bartender and Sedona local, Ardi Dulaku. Experience familiar ingredients and fun twists like grilled fruit, inspired by summer afternoons on the patio; plums, often overlooked by mixologists; and juiced green apples.
Take a look at some of the standout cocktails below, designed to take you through all stages of the monsoon season.
Southern Hospitality: A salute to SaltRock’s Executive Chef Logan Stephenson who hails from the South, this cocktail features Elijiah Craig, grilled peach-tarragon syrup, lemon, soda and Angostura. The grilled fruit brings out a unique taste allowing the bourbon to stand out. It also makes a great pairing with the grilled corn dish, a favorite on the menu.
Midnight Canyon: Inspired by late night Sedona hikes and the bright moonlit canyon, this cocktail features Edinburgh gin, plum puree, red Zinfandel, lemon, Peychaud’s and thyme garnish for an extra earthy delight.
Desert Storm: Influenced by the smell of fresh vegetation and the desert post-rain, this cocktail is clean and refreshing with a hint of wet foliage and sweeter notes. Ingredients include Kettle One Vodka, Chareau Aloe Liqueur, celery and fresh lime juice.
Spike Your Summer: A personalized cocktail with your choice of spirit and a juiced Granny Smith apple for the perfect amount of sweetness with just a bite of tart. This is everything you want in a cocktail with no hidden calories making it the perfect drink to indulge in after a Sedona hike.
For more information, visit: saltrockkitchen.com
