Locally handcrafted food products remain one of the most popular categories on our Readers’ Choice ballot every year. These are some of the best we’ve sampled.
Best Pomegranate Jelly
Magnolia Canning
This lightly sweet, slightly tangy concoction is heaven with or without peanut butter. But if your tastes lie elsewhere, westside farmers market favorite Magnolia Canning has plenty of other options, from satsuma to blueberry to crayfish jelly (no actual seafood, but spicy flavors from a seafood boil). Yummy bread and butter pickles, too. @magnoliacanningphx; magnoliacanningphx@gmail.com
Best Lemonade
AZ Lemonade Stand
The kids on the corner with their ramshackle stand probably aren’t offering huckleberry- or kiwi- or watermelon-flavored lemonades. Those are but three of the many varieties of this 48th-state-made nectar, available at outlets from Fry’s to Streets of New York. Zero-sugar flavors are also available. Stock up against the heat. azlemonadestand.com
Best New Wine Shop
Jamie’s Bottle Shop
Wrigley Mansion owner Jamie Hormel recently opened a wine shop in Old Town Scottsdale, where she stocks an ever-changing selection of 700 labels from around the world. Hormel also offers wine tastings and light bistro fare in the stunning space, which is lined with floor-to-ceiling oak and walnut wine racks. If you really love it, join Hormel’s wine club. 7033 E. Main St., Scottsdale, 480-550-8027, jamiesbottleshop.com
Best Wine Treats
Arizona Frozé
We love wine, but we can’t drink a big Cab when it’s 115 degrees. Arizona’s first frozen wine bar comes to the rescue with wine slushies in rotating flavors like rosé, pomegranate, piña colada and cola. Enjoy them on tap in the Old Town tasting room or order them to go in Otter Pop- and Capri-Sun-like packaging that’s perfect for the pool. Bonus: There’s always at least one non-alc option, so your sober friends won’t miss out on the summer fun. 4151 N. Marshall Way, Scottsdale, 480-737-8676, arizonafroze.com
2025 Best Local Products
PHOENIX food product maven Marilyn Hawkes picks her favorite releases of the year.
Bad Hambres Burritos
Brimming with whole savory pinto beans and melted cheese wrapped in a locally made tortilla, these bad boys are so freaking good, you’ll be hooked after the first bite. badhambres.com
ChaconnÉ Patisserie
Everything 2022 James Beard Award semifinalist Marc Chacón bakes will rock your world, but his bewitching cinnamon swirl morning buns deserve their own award. chaconnepatisserie.com
The Eleanor Hot Sauce
Splash this red or green house-made hot sauce on your eggs or anything else you want to ignite and enjoy the fiery burn. Move over, Cholula. The Eleanor has won me over. theeleanoraz.com
Jamie’s Kitchen
Sweet treats are Jamie Cunningham’s specialty and, lucky for us, she whips up a generous assortment. Sugary snickerdoodles, chewy Rice Krispies treats and luscious brownies? Yes, please. jamieskitchenphx.com
Wears Market Vanilla
Ty and Cate Wears make artisanal vanilla extracts with beans from Madagascar, Tahiti and Sri Lanka that are so much more flavorful than the mass-produced grocery store offerings. A little bit goes a long way. wearsmarketvanilla.com
