options. Cherry-filled turnovers, colorful conchas, fruit-filled empanadas, and over- flowing cream puffs beg to be picked by hungry customers pointing to their selec- tions at the busy bakery. Bags and boxes get filled quickly, making way for the next batch of baked goods to be put out on display. Regulars order their pan with a dozen tortillas for later, or a cup of fresas con crema for an extra sweet treat. Best Horchata BELLY KITCHEN & BAR 4971 North Seventh Avenue 602-296-4452 bellyphx.com Drinking horchata at Belly, the hip Southeast Asian-inspired eatery in Phoenix’s Melrose District and coming soon to Gilbert, isn’t a suck-it-back expe- rience out of a plastic cup. No, it’s a slow- sipping affair that invites all your senses along for the ride. Your eyes are drawn to the backlit bar and cocktail-slinging bartenders, your ears are tuned to the buzzy chatter and techno beats, and your mouth is stunned into submission by the frosty freshness. It’s both thicker and lighter than any horchata you’ve had before, punched up with the tangy hint of citrus. That’s no accident. Made by simmering fresh-cut lemongrass and makrut lime leaves to extract as much flavor as possible, the tangy tea is then blended with house-made rice milk, coconut milk, and coconut cream for a trippy sip that adds a bright Thai spin on the traditional Mexican drink. Booze it up by adding a dark aged rum like Ron Colón. Bonus: Belly Gilbert will be offering a cinnamon and star anise version. Double bonus: Both happen to be vegan. Best Aguas Frescas TORTAS MANANTIAL 5950 West McDowell Road, #101 623-873-0664 And other Valley locations tortasmanantial.com An agua fresca is a treat any day of the year. But a tall cup of water blended with fruit, served fresh and ice-cold, in the middle of summer? It tastes like heaven. Local chain Tortas Manantial has the aguas frescas game down; they serve them in two sizes in flavors like pineapple, papaya, grapefruit, soursop, lemon, coconut, cucumber, and more. And you know the ingredients are fresh because you can watch while the staff chops and blends the fruit for your drink. Tortas Manantial’s three Valley locations also serve just juice, plus licuados (smoothies). Any of the restaurant’s beverages are perfect for washing down their lineup of tasty sandwiches. Best Mexican Coffee Shop TRES LECHES CAFÉ 1714 West Van Buren Street 602-368-1804 5602 South Central Avenue 602-675-1474 treslechesaz.com Move over, Starbucks. We know of a much better spot for sweet coffee drinks. The Van Buren location of Tres Leches Café is a bright, invigorating space with multi- colored walls, a charming courtyard, and plenty of space to work, read, or catch up with a friend. The menu is filled with Mexican-style coffee creations. We love the rich Tres Aztecas, a Mexican mocha with espresso and crema, and the Cafe de Frida, a gently spiced blend of coffee and cream. If we’re feeling peckish, we’ll pick a Mexican pastry out of the bakery case, maybe a concha or an Oreo doncha. Tres Leches also offers the fruit smoothies known as licuados as well as aguas frescas and the hard-to-find aguas sucias, aguas frescas taken to the next level with espresso. Best Place to Drink Mezcal LAS 15 SALSAS 722 West Hatcher Road 602-870-2056 las-15-salsas-restaurant-oaxaqueno. negocio.site At this tiny restaurant in north Phoenix’s Sunnyslope neighborhood, a twinkle-light- strung patio beckons from the roadside. Inside, you’ll find a colorful restaurant with a large menu of Oaxacan specialties. There’s not one but five different kinds of mole, and the name, Las 15 Salsas, rings true. But even more impressive is the list of mezcals on the menu. These smoky sippers are served in individual shots, in samplers, and mixed into cocktails like the Zipolite, a spicy and smoky blend of mezcal, tamarind, lime, and serrano chile. They’re the perfect accompaniment to one of the restaurant’s specialties, maybe an Oaxaquena torta made with three meats or a fried pork plate with rice, beans, cara- melized onions, and ranchera sauce. Best Margaritas CRUJIENTE TACOS 3961 East Camelback Road 602-687-7777 crutacos.com You can find margaritas everywhere, from upscale cocktail bars to basic chain restau- rants. But if you want good margaritas served along great food in a fun atmo- sphere, Crujiente Tacos in Arcadia is the go-to. The tiny eatery’s signature margarita 180 BEST OF PHOENIX 2022 | WWW.BESTOFPHOENIX202W.C0M | SEPTEMBER 29, 2022