Valley's best cocktails

Mai Tai

The Place: Trader Vic's at Hotel Valley Ho, 6850 E. Main St., Scottsdale, 480-248-2000, hotelvalleyho.com

If you've ever tasted the Mai Tai, you have Trader Victor J. Bergeron to thank, a once small-time Polynesian restaurateur in California. As the story is told by Trader Vic's (yet refuted by some competitors), he concocted the refreshing rum cocktail for a Tahitian tourist back in 1944. The tourist's reaction: "Mai tai roa ae!," which, in Tahitian, figuratively means "Out of this world!" And that is just how you may feel when your lips touch the rim of this ornately garnished glass. At this elegant Tiki hut, the drink's rum kick is anything but brash. Rather, succulent flavor goes down easy and may stir beach vacation cravings. The upscale surroundings are magazine-spread-worthy, blending modern minimalism with Polynesian elements in a way that you should see to fully appreciate.

Price: $10

The Magic: Orange Curacao, Trader Vic's dark and gold rums, almond and rock candy syrups and lime juice, shaken, on the rocks, garnished with pineapple, cherry, mint and a lime shell.