Valley's best cocktails

Dark Rum Spain

The Place: La Bocca Pizzeria, 699 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, 480-967-5244, laboccapizzeria.com

The newish, slightly modern La Bocca Pizzeria is among the classier joints on Mill Avenue, but its martini prices won't kill a student's budget. For $8, sip on the Dark Rum Spain, a citrusy gin concoction that perks the taste buds, but befuddles customers. Bartender Kristina Tee says patrons continually try, but can't guess the components of the staff favorite's secret recipe. We can tell you there's gin topped with Chambord and garnished with a cherry. For the rest, we're in the dark. Really. They won't tell us. But somehow that doesn't ruin the appeal.

The Price: $8

The Magic: Secret recipe with gin and Chambord, shaken, garnished with a cherry.