Unveiled last fall by Hi Noon Hospitality (Ingo’s Tasty Food, Buck & Rider), Pinyon celebrates the food and drink of the Mediterranean. Just to refresh your grade-school geography, the region extends much farther afield than Spain, Italy and Greece. Indeed, this refreshing, pale green elixir ($18) whisks us to the Middle East, offering up classic flavors of cucumber, lemon, mint and za’atar, the latter a Mediterranean spice blend of thyme, oregano, marjoram, toasted sesame seeds and sumac. Does this sound like any cocktail you know? Probably not, and that’s what makes it so drinkable – all that savory herbaceousness with just a whisper of sweetness.
Try this one at home when you’re feeling worldly. To begin, chill coupes in the freezer. Then combine 1 ½ oz. St. George vodka, ½ oz. Chareau aloe liqueur, 1 oz. fresh cucumber juice (blended and strained through a fine mesh sieve), ½ oz. fresh lemon juice and ½ oz. za’atar simple syrup* to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for 10 seconds, then double-strain into a chilled glass and garnish with a cucumber wheel for a light Mediterranean cruise. Or train ride.
*Steep 1-2 tablespoons of za’atar spice blend in 1 cup of simple syrup for at least 30 minutes, then strain.
Pinyon
7363 E. Scottsdale Mall, Scottsdale
480-863-8990, pinyonrestaurant.com
