Thirsty Lion in Tempe is a local favorite for happy hour, dining, parties, and watching sports. The menu expands from traditional bar food to include delectable appetizers, entrees, and cocktails. I tried two cocktails, each paired with a specific entrée, to create a delicious meal. The Blood Orange Cosmo was packed with a sweet, orange flavor with a twist of tartness the makes the blood orange distinct. This drink complemented the smoked salmon with mango quinoa, a perfect choice for salmon lovers. The Bordeaux Drop was my favorite with a mix of cherries, citrus, and a sugar rim. This amazing drink was paired with a slightly spicy and tart kale salad and a fabulous Kobe burger. These are only a few of the fantastic items to mix and match at Thirsty Lion’s at Tempe Marketplace.

tl.bloodorangecosmoBlood Orange Cosmo
Ingredients:
• 2 oz Absolut Mandarin vodka
• 1 oz Blood Orange puree
• ½ oz Triple Sec
• 2 lime wedges
• 1 orange wedge
• ½ oz cranberry juice
• ½ orange ring
Directions:
• Chill martini glass prior to production
• Coat edge of glass with sugar rim
• Add vodka, blood orange puree, Triple Sec and cranberry juice to a mixer glass
• Cover with beaker and shake 10-12 times vigorously
• Strain into a sugar rimmed cocktail glass
• Garnish with orange wheel on edge of glass

tl.bordeauxcherrydropBordeaux Drop
Ingredients:
• 1 oz Smirnoff Vanilla vodka
• 1 oz Smirnoff Citrus vodka
• 2 dashes Fee Bros Cherry Bitters
• 1 oz Passion Puree
• 1 oz simple syrup
• 3 Bordeaux cherries
• 3 lemon wedges
Directions:
• Muddle cherries, lemons and ice
• Combine liquid ingredients into shaker and shake 12 times
• Strain into a martini glass rimmed with sugar
• Garnish with a cherry