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| - These 5 stars are for the artistry that goes on behind the bar. I couldn't have imagined that such creative mixology has a home at the venerable Phoenix landmark that is Woody's Macayo.
So where to start? I'm a mezcal drinker, so I ordered the piña picante. The mezcal they used was very mild with a hint of smoke, so it was not overpowering at all. My friends who like to joke around that mezcal tastes like a dirty ashtray actually said the cocktail was tasty. The sweetness of the pineapple was balanced by a tiny kick of chili pepper. I also enjoyed the other mezcal drink called Verde Da Vida, an ever-so slightly sweet concoction that included lychee and kiwi.
One of the more creative cocktails was based on a spirit I generally dislike, gin. But I had a sip --actually more than a sip --and I didn't even know that I was drinking gin. I could taste cucumbers, honeydew melon, a hint of Absinthe, and pepper. No single flavor dominated the other. That's what is good about the cocktails here. They taste good, even to those who shy away from a particular spirit, because all of the ingredients are carefully balanced.
There are no "candy" margaritas made from sugary, fattening fruit syrups at this bar, so My friends and I didn't have to worry about a spike in blood sugar or empty calories settling around our waistlines. One friend ordered the Tiki de Peche, which contained a variety of ingredients. Including French peach wine and freshly made mango purée, and a splash of Absinthe. This margarita was very strong, not too sweet, just right.
A word of advice: come with lots of friends so you can share your cocktails and try everything without getting drunk and falling asleep in the booth.
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