The Fourth Annual Weekend Jetaway Culinary Casino Classic offers high-flying flavors

Drinking It All In 

The Fourth Annual Weekend Jetaway Culinary Casino Classic offers high-flying flavors.

By Alison Bailin Batz

On Fri., Oct. 23, the Scottsdale Airport will transform from bustling transportation hub to the hottest party the North Valley has ever seen as it hosts the Fourth Annual Weekend Jetaway Culinary Casino Classic, presented by AXA Advisors Southwest.

Set within one of the airport’s own private jet hangars and hosted by PGA star Tom Lehman, Weekend Jetaway will raise funds for Elevate Phoenix, which is a local nonprofit focused on helping local urban youth, via an evening of gourmet food, music, dancing, “elevated” surprise entertainers, auctions, and a dice-style game that will culminate with four lucky guests winning a luxurious two-night, three-day round-trip vacation on their very private jet.

Yes, a jet.

But that’s not all.

“With some of the Valley’s top restaurants––including Proof, Talavera, Capital Grill North Scottsdale, Postino WineCafe, Jalapeño Inferno, Rhythm & Wine, Tom’s Thumb, and the DoubleTree Paradise Valley––serving up their fall specialties at the event, we had to elevate the cocktails accordingly,” says Lehman. “Enter Alliance Beverage and their team of drink and mixology masters.”

North Valley Magazine recently sat down with Alliance Beverage to talk cocktail creations and which high-flying flavors will make Jetaway take flight.

Deep Eddy – Ruby Red Vodka

Deep Eddy Distillery, which is located in Austin, has made its mark by utilizing corn straight from south Texas to develop its vodkas. Named after Deep Eddy Pool, which is the oldest spring-fed swimming hole in Texas, the proudly local brand innovated its Ruby Red offering by infusing real grapefruit into 70-proof vodka and sweetening with only pure cane sugar. The result––no artificial flavorings, yet a mouthful of ruby red grapefruit taste.

Recipe Recommendation––Ruby Paloma

2       ounces Deep Eddy Ruby Red Vodka

1       ounce Silver Tequila (100 percent Agave preferred)

2       ounces Sprite

2       ounces club soda

Lime (for garnish)

Salt (for rim of glass)

Combine ingredients in shaker with ice.

Strain and pour into glass.

Baileys––Espresso Crème

Eager to bring a new flavor to the consumer in 2015, Baileys––one of the top 10 spirit brands in the world ––is using Jetaway to help introduce its new Espresso Crème, which combines the intense flavor and aroma of premium roasted Colombian coffee beans with subtle notes of vanilla, culminating with a velvety smooth and slightly chocolatey finish.

A creamy, dreamy taste on even the most discerning coffee lovers’ palate, the espresso crème is a perfect liqueur to drink on its own, combine with other seasonal ingredients for the perfect fall cocktail or––of course––pour into one’s coffee.

Recipe Recommendation––The Double Espresso

1 ½   ounces Baileys Espresso Crème Liqueur

1 ½   ounces espresso

2–5   coffee beans

Shake over ice.

Strain into a martini glass.

Garnish with coffee beans.

Smirnoff – Peppermint Twist

Forget pumpkin, Weekend Jetaway is bringing candied peppermint to the party instead, offering limited edition Smirnoff Peppermint Twist in a bevy of creative cocktails, most notably as part of the event’s newly created Dessert Decadence experience, which will also feature The Melting Pot’s signature chocolate covered strawberries, Sprinkles Cupcakes, and coffee-infused cocktails.

Recipe Recommendation––Smirnoff Peppermint Hot Chocolate

1 ½   ounces Smirnoff Peppermint Twist

6       ounces hot chocolate

1       peppermint stick

Whipped cream

Pour shot of Smirnoff Peppermint Twist into hot chocolate.

Garnish with whipped cream and a peppermint stick.

Crown Royal––Regal Apple

To create this extraordinary blend, Crown Royal whiskies are hand-selected by a master blender and infused with Regal Gala Apples and apple flavors. One of the hottest ingredients among seasonally inspired cocktail makers, it is also popular simply on the rocks this time of year, given its slightly tart, crisp, apple flavor balanced and notes of caramel and light spice.

Recipe Recommendation––The Crown Apple Fizz

1 ½   ounces Crown Royal Regal Apple Whisky

¾      ounce lemon juice

½      ounce pineapple gum syrup

2       dashes aromatic bitters

2       ounces Soda water (to top)

Add all ingredients in the shaker filled with ice and shake hard.

Strain in a highball glass.

Top with club soda.

Tickets to Weekend Jetaway start at $125 and sponsorships start at $500. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit weekendjetaway.org.