Here’s the top cocktail to try at Thirsty Camel
The Thirsty Camel bar at the Phoenician Resort was recently named one of the best hotel bars in the world by Forbes Travel Guide. Yes, that’s right, not in the state or the country, but in the world.
Forbes Travel Guide sent anonymous “inspectors” to stay at hotels around the world and rate bars based on beverage, luxury and food standards. Only 11 hotel bars in the U.S. made the cut, including the Thirsty Camel.
One of the bar’s signature cocktails, the Cloud Nine, made its way onto the menu after the Thirsty Camel underwent an extensive renovation. The cocktail is now one of the most popular drinks on the menu according to Director of Beverage Jared Sowinski.
Decorated with a printed Phoenix logo resting on soft egg white foam, the Cloud Nine at the Thirsty Camel is the perfect drink for out of towners celebrating an Arizona vacation or for locals to show some local pride. A delicate mix of mint and cucumber, this drink is as refreshing as it is eye catching — and perfect for sipping poolside at the Valley resort year round.
Why Thirsty Camel is a world-class hotel bar
Thirsty Camel is open to both resort guests and the general public, so anyone can belly up to the bar and see what makes it so special.
And what is it that makes this bar a world-class destination? Maybe it’s the floor to ceiling windows that offer panoramic views of the Valley. Maybe it’s the extensive whiskey selection and menu focused on the flavors of the Sonoran desert. Maybe it’s the live music six nights a week.
While the bar has always drawn a large crowd, Sowinski says the recent revamp solidified the Thirsty Camel’s chances at placing on the world’s best list.
The Phoenician resort underwent a $90 million renovation over the past few years with improvements made to the golf course, spa and pool. Updates to the
hotel lobby included a complete renovation of the hotel bar. The Thirsty Camel’s biggest change was location. The bar moved from a side room that now hosts afternoon tea service and into the main lobby, front and center.
“We completely reinvented the Thirsty Camel,” Sowinski says. He has worked at the Phoenician for almost 13 years and has seen the bar evolve into the centerpiece it is now.
Before renovations, the bar menu revolved around on whiskey, Sowinski explained. While it still serves a large selection of the spirit, the focus has shifted towards “light, vibrant, refreshing” cocktails inspired by the flavors of the surrounding desert landscape.
What is The Cloud Nine cocktail?
For those celebrating a birthday, anniversary or other special occasion, the Cloud Nine is the cocktail you need to order at Thirsty Camel, Sowinski says.
When thinking of cucumber, lime or mint, it might be images of a crisp mojito, condensation running down the glass in the summer heat that come to mind. But the Cloud Nine is a much more elevated affair.
“This cocktail really speaks to the climate,” Sowinski says. “What’s more refreshing than cucumber and mint?”
Served in a coupe, this sunny yellow cocktail resembles a sour in appearance with a thick, creamy foam resting delicately on top of the opaque drink.
Bartender Raul Lopez uses golden bar tools to mix up the drink.
The cocktail starts with two slices of cucumber and a small handful of fresh mint leaves. He muddles these together with lime and simple syrup, then adds half an ounce of St. Germain elderflower liqueur.
Next he adds equal pours of Belvedere vodka and egg white before transferring this mixture into a shaker — crucially — with no ice. The lack of ice gives the egg whites room to expand and create the soft, foamy texture. Lopez recommends holding the shaker tightly closed as sometimes the expanding egg whites can cause pressure to build inside the shaker.
Next, he adds ice and shakes the drink a second time to chill the frothy liquid. Finally, he double strains to ensure complete smoothness and pours into a coupe glass.
One part of the cocktail that would be much harder to replicate at home is the distinctive printed design on the top.
A high tech automated device called a Ripples Machine prints the Phoenician’s logo onto the top foam of the Cloud Nine cocktail.
“Because of the texture of the egg whites, the head on the cocktail is a beautiful canvas,” Sowinski says.
The Ripples machine allows bartenders to print almost anything on top of the cocktail with an unflavored maltbased ink. This means bar patrons can surprise a friend with a birthday message or make an anniversary celebration even more special with a personalized photo.
To take advantage, just send the photo or message to the bartender and watch as the machine gently raises the glass and prints your custom design on top of the Cloud Nine.
The Thirsty Camel, 6000 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix. 480-4232530. thephoenician.com/ thirsty-camel.