After a long, dry start to the year, monsoon season is finally upon us, bringing with it some much-needed relief.
And what better way to celebrate than with a cool monsoon-themed cocktail or beverage?
We’ve been on the search for drinks from local restaurants, cafes and bars that capture the storm clouds and downpours of monsoon season.
Here are nine stormy cocktails, coffees and beverages to get you in the monsoon spirit!
Monsoon Chaser at Dante’s Fire
A Monsoon Chaser on the menu at Dante’s Fire, 2526 E. Grant Road — mescal, lime juice, rosemary-infused syrup and ginger beer.
Encapsulating the very essence of Tucson’s monsoon season is the Monsoon Chaser from Dante’s fire.
Owner Kenneth Foy said the drink was inspired by the signature flavors of Arizona and the weather of the season.
“We wanted to reach into our Arizona roots with a mezcal based spirit,” Foy said. “And when we put it all together, it just kind of looked like that mist after the storm.”
Bartender Ashley Maina-Lowe adds the last touch to a Monsoon Chaser at Dante’s Fire, 2526 E. Grant Road. The chaser is made with Vida mescal, lime juice, rosemary-infused syrup and ginger beer.
The cocktail combines Mezcal and zesty lime juice, with the botanical flavors of rosemary simple syrup and spicy ginger beer, topped with a fresh orange slice, and according to Foy, it’s an easy crowd favorite.
“It’s very popular,” Foy said. “More popular in the summer months because people are wanting something refreshing.”
Rain Bringer at Creosote-Sonoran Kitchen and Cocktails
The Rain Bringer at Creosote-Sonoran Kitchen and Cocktails, the new restaurant at Starr Pass golf club, may not have the actual power to open the heavens and unleash precipitation, as much as we'd like it to.
But it does bring the coveted fragrance of rain gracing the Sonoran Desert.
Food and beverage director Alec Harmon starts by crushing dried, fresh creosote flowers that are yellow and fuzzy, then infuses them into a high-proof alcohol to extract their essential oils. He strains out the flowers, adds agave sweetener, and puts the aromatic tincture in an atomizer.
The cocktail itself is Tito's vodka, ginger beer, lemon juice and Liquid Alchemist Tamarindo served in a frosty mule tin.
The apothecary-style creosote tincture is spritzed on the rim and to float on top of the cocktail as a crowning glory.
A Rain Bringer is mixed by Alec Harmon, food and beverage director at Creosote-Sonoran Kitchen and Cocktails, 3645 W. Starr Pass Blvd. It’s a cocktail of Tito’s vodka, ginger beer, lemon juice and Liquid Alchemist Tamarindo served in a frosty mule tin, topped off with a spritz of creosote tincture.
"It smells like desert rain," says Harmon, who has lived in Tucson since age 10 and loves the monsoon season.
But at the time he was demonstrating the already-popular Rain Bringer, there had only been a couple of rainstorms so far this summer at Starr Pass.
"We need the desert to bring the rain," he said with optimism, joking, "I feel like I'm the only one bringing it."
Some Dark Some Stormy at SideCar
Aromatic Amer Gingembre adds an undertone of rich, gingery spice to the Some Dark Some Stormy at Sidecar.
SideCar’s Some Dark Some Stormy is an herbal-forward drink made using Jamaica Black Strap Rum, house salted lime cordial, amer, ginger, and a splash of apple cider vinegar, which together invoke dark clouds rolling in over the desert.
“It kind of separates to look a little dark and a little light,” said Michael Klass, general manager of SideCar.
If you’re someone who can’t get enough of the monsoon, SideCar also has an in-house creosote tincture that can be added to its cocktails, to give any drink a distinct, desert flavor.
According to Klass, the tincture smells like you’re dancing in the rain. It doesn’t get much closer to the monsoon than that.
Dark and Stormy at Union Public House
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Union Public House centers its Dark and Stormy mule on Meyer’s Jamaican Dark Rum, which adds a slight sweet to the slight spice of the ginger beer.
This list wouldn’t be complete without including the Dark and Stormy from Union Public House.
According to owner Grant Krueger, Union Public House has been a big fan of ginger beer cocktails since first opening its doors 15 years ago.
Its Dark and Stormy is a particular point of pride, simply made with Gosling’s black label rum and ginger beer, and either a wedge of lime or fresh squeezed lime juice, giving it a sweet, spicy and citrusy profile.
“Gosling actually trademarked the term 'dark and stormy' back in the 1990s,” Krueger said. “To produce a dark and stormy, you have to use Gosling’s branded rum.”
The name of the drink itself, Krueger said, comes from the maritime association with British sailors in the Caribbean islands in the 18th century.
“They had rum, and used ginger beer as a cure for sea sickness, and eventually because rum was the cheapest spirit in the Caribbean, they ended up mixing those two things together and they got this dark cloudy color that sort of looks like a tropical storm that might be forming in the horizon,” Krueger said. “So we’re hoping to see some dark clouds around here in Southern Arizona.”
Monsoon Season at Tito + Pep
The Monsoon Season is Pentire nonalcoholic spirit, toasted coconut syrup, pineapple juice and lime at Tito + Pep’s, 4122 E. Speedway.
For those looking for nonalcoholic monsoon offerings, Tito + Pep has two new alcohol-free summer drinks.
Its brand new Monsoon Season is a beachy concoction blending house-made toasted coconut syrup, fresh pineapple juice and a twist of lime. Think fancy piña colada.
As for the design of the drink, the pale, creamy color is meant to be reminiscent of the rainy monsoon season.
“The color looks kind of like a cloudy sky,” said general manager Mario Munafo. “It has a milky translucency to it.”
The seasonal drink will be offered through mid-fall, and according to Munafo, it’s “pretty delicious.”
While the drink is traditionally made to be non-alcoholic, the base recipe can also be used to build a traditional cocktail.
Monsoon boba at Bings
Bing's Boba Tea's seasonal monsoon boba drink.
Bing’s Boba Tea will be releasing its boba creation to capture the essence of the summer rainstorms.
This year’s version features blueberry and passionfruit syrups with flower tea and edible glitter. The dark purple color is meant to look like the dark storm clouds of the monsoon, and the bright, fruity flavors make it a sweet treat for a scorching Arizona day.
While this Monsoon Drink doesn’t officially launch until August, you can still order it at any of Bing's locations prior to the release.
Purple Rain at Presta Coffee
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Seasonal Purple Rain matcha and coffee drinks from Presta Cofee.
While this coffee creation is named in honor of Prince, the drink was created specifically with monsoon season in mind, and we think the name fits the stormy season.
According to barista Louis Salido, the light purples, greens and deep violet colors are intended to reflect the real-life colors of Arizona’s monsoon season. The hues are reminiscent of the dark storms, and of the bright greens of fresh leaves.
Presta Cofee barista Louis Salido makes two seasonal Purple Rain drinks.
The smooth, creamy latte is made with blueberry syrup and taro sweet cream, giving it a subtle fruity or berry note and a delicately sweet edge. You can choose between an espresso or matcha base for two equally vibrant lattes.
“It’s made using all natural ingredients like organic blueberries and taro,” Salido said. “The customers love it.“
Each latte comes topped with oatmilk cold foam, so the drink can be made vegan-friendly.
Mango Monsoon at Screwbean Brewing
Mango Monsoon from Screwbean Brewing.
The Mango Monsoon Mocktail is a long-time favorite at Screwbean Brewing.
According to general manager Jessie Neal, the fruity drink was one of the first options offered on the menu and has yet to be dethroned.
Through seasonal specials, and menu changes, the Mango Monsoon Mocktail has remained a staple because of its popularity with customers.
“We did try to take it away and we brought it back immediately,” Neal said.
Matthew Taylor pours Screwbean Brewing's Mango Monsoon drink.
The drink is made with mango purée, fresh-squeezed lime juice, house-made simple syrup, and a Tajin rim. It’s a blend of sweet and tangy.
“When I think of the monsoon, it’s kind of hot and muggy outside. And while it is beautiful, I really want something nice and refreshing to drink,” Neal said. “So I always go for a Mango Monsoon when it’s raining outside."
Cloud Teas at Scented Leaf Tea House
The Cloud Tea from Scented Leaf Tea House.
Scented Leaf Tea House is bringing back its Cloud Tea series just in time for monsoon season.
Back by popular demand, the teas include Cloud Tea, Day Dream Lemonade and Cloud 9 Latté, which will be available to order for the next couple of months.
Cloud Tea is a sweet, floral and earthy latté made from butterfly pea flower, and topped with house-made vanilla sweet cream. With the mix of the pale blue tea and white cream, the drink itself looks like monsoon clouds gathering in the Arizona sky.
Barista Hector Elias makes Scented Leaf's Cloud Tea drink.
The Day Dream Lemonade is a summery blend of pomegranate, papaya and passionfruit teas, mixed with house-made Blue Spirulina Lemonade, while the Cloud 9 Latté is a light, tropical tea drink made with coconut milk and Blue Spirulina Lemonade.
Scented Leaf also has a Monsoon Gusher drink that is its version of an Arnold Palmer, made with lemonade and a variety of on-tap teas. Whatever you’re craving to get you through the hot months of summer, Scented Leaf has you covered.