The Roadrunner Cocktail is Our Homage to Arizona History

If you’ve never lived in Arizona, then you might not know the concept of the 5 “C”s of the desert state’s economy or how they relate to the Roadrunner cocktail. Cattle, copper, cotton, citrus, and climate were historically considered the pillars of Arizona’s success. There was a time when there were 1.4 million more cows than people in the state. The copper mining industry was drawing people to relocate to Arizona over 60 years ago now. And, while the fields of cotton have diminished, there are still hundreds of thousands of acres of the natural resource in the state.

Your mind may travel to Florida or California when it comes to the source of citrus, but Arizona was and still is, a formidable contender of the US citrus production. From long ago to today, there’s no doubt that the desert climate is the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of the state. Just as it was then, the warm sunshine and mild winters still draw people to set up homes in Arizona.

So How Does This Relate to the Roadrunner Cocktail?

A brief social studies lesson isn’t necessary to extol the virtues of the Grand Canyon state. But it doesn’t hurt. In addition to the 5 C’s, the Grand Canyon (and two other National Parks), big colleges and out-of-this-world golf resorts, Arizona has many things that represent the state and its people.

Technically, the state bird is the Cactus Wren, but can you think of a more Arizona-symbolic bird than the Greater Roadrunner? We can’t, which is why we named our homage to the great state of Arizona, the Greater Roadrunner cocktail. A Sonoran Desert celebrity, the Greater Roadrunner, is fast and spunky, known in cowboy fables for picking fights with rattlesnakes (and winning).

That description aptly sums up this road runner cocktail created in conjunction with the Arizona-based AZ Bitters Lab. The base of the Roadrunner cocktail is Azuñia Reposado organic tequila. Layer in one of the “C”’s, citrus, with Orange Curacao and fresh lemon. Add a little smoke with mesquite honey syrup. And finish it with the climate-controlled AZ Sunshine Bitters. No sunscreen required.

This smoky, coppery colored concoction, garnished with a dehydrated orange wheel, perfectly captures the essence of the state.

How to Make the Greater Roadrunner Cocktail

 

Your Mixologist

This cocktail was created by Azuñia’s Sales Manager and Chief Mixologist, Kailee Asher. Look for more of her craft cocktail creations on Instagram.

Pick up a Bottle

You can find Azuñia tequilas at fine restaurants, bars, and retailers across the country.

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