When it’s infernally hot out and I’m feeling cranky, a cocktail at the end of the day smooths the rough edges. If said beverage is icy cold, fruit-forward and utterly uncomplicated, all the better, so Élephante’s adorable slushie flight – so pretty to look at, so easy to drink – is a total mood booster.
Forced to pick a favorite among the Scottsdale restaurant’s three offerings, I’d probably go with the vodka-based Golden Hour, bright with fresh lemons and limoncello, the Italian liqueur beloved for being subtly sweet and intensely lemony. And the aroma? Grandioso, another lift to the spirit. Peach juice softens the lemon’s acidity and adds a touch of mellow, stone-fruit sweetness. You’ll want to remember there’s booze in these babies, because it’s easy to slurp them down in a flash.
Your best bet is to go to Élephante and sample all three, but if you’re eager to make the Golden Hour at home, you’ll need a margarita machine.
In a mixing container, combine:
- 1 oz. water
- ¾ oz. vodka
- ¾ oz. limoncello
- 1 ½ oz. Kern’s peach nectar
- ½ oz. fresh lemon juice
- ½ oz. agave syrup.
Stir well and add to the machine.
After the mixture has frozen, pour it into a Champagne flute or a coupe glass and garnish with a dehydrated lemon wedge.
— Nikki Buchanan
$24
Golden Hour & Friends
7014 E. Camelback Rd., Scottsdale
480-576-8168, elephanterestaurants.com
