Bitter and Twisted's Fourth Annual Book o' Cocktails
One of the most anticipated announcements in our thriving Phoenix cocktail scene is the launch of Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour's annual Book o' Cocktails. Head barman and co-owner Ross Simon has once again written an inspired cocktail menu filled with creative libations and colorful illustrations by Matt Andrews, and this fourth rendition is the best yet. This year's theme revolves around fun and whimsical fairy-tale adventures with a 32-page book boasting vivid artwork celebrating more than 60 cocktails. Eleven sections include Let’s Get Cookin' featuring nine brand-new cocktails, Mixing Under the Influence, Bitter Hall of Fame with five of their best-selling original creations, Fabulous Flying Negronis, a selection of my favorite libation, Friends with Benefits, Luminous Libations, Let Them Drink Punch, Top Ten Tales, and more.
The book debuted Tuesday, May 2nd, but on Monday, I joined fellow media for an exclusive preview. Ross told us how this special edition was four times as expensive to print as the last one (it will be available to take home as a beautiful souvenir or collector's item for $20), "but we really wanted to do something special for our cocktail bar, as well as Phoenix." Listen in as Ross Simon proudly describes the pages of the Fourth Annual Book o' Cocktails.
We were invited to sample some of the wonderful cocktails as well as fabulous new dishes by Chef Bob Tam. Here were some of my favorites.
From Friends with Benefits, created by Declan McGurk of the American Bar at The Savoy in London: The Roaring '50s, made with reposado tequila, Cynar (an artichoke amaro), Cocchi Vermouth, housemade grenadine, and a spritz of absinthe.
Bitter and Twisted Cocktail Parlour is located at 1 W Jefferson St, Phoenix, AZ 85003 and is open 4 pm to 2 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday.