Getting down and dirty with the Valley’s hottest shot slingers
Prepare to lose your mind—er, brain— over this one. One of the Valley’s most masterful mixologists, Travis Nass, “spirit guide” bartender at Lon’s and The Last Drop Bar, both at the Hermosa Inn in Paradise Valley, showed us how to make a cocktail perfect for Halloween—the Zombie.
Tell me about the drunkest customer you’ve ever had.
The nice thing about working in nice places is that you don’t have to deal with too many drunken people.
What is your number one pet peeve when working?
Things not being in the right place behind the bar. When I’m working, most of the time, I don’t even look where I’m reaching, so if something isn’t in the right spot and I grab the wrong thing, I’ll have to pour out the drink.
What is your go-to drink when you’re at a bar other than your own?
Whiskey with a rosé back.
What does ordering a rum and coke say about a person?
I think that people should drink whatever makes them happy, but that drink says “I don’t like the taste of alcohol.”
What do you like about this cocktail, a Zombie?
It’s the perfect tiki drink. It has a strong rum backbone and a tropical, fruity taste without too much fruit in it. Plus it has so many layers of flavor.
Hermosa Inn, 5532 N. Palo Cristi Road, Paradise Valley, 602.955.8614, hermosainn.com
