Rose Mofford honored with cocktail and Rose Room lounge at Phoenix's Valley Bar

Toast to the late Rose Mofford with a cocktail tonight.

Since opening last year, downtown Phoenix’s Valley Bar has honored Mofford, the first woman to serve as Arizona's governor:

• The lounge is known as the Rose Room and features her portrait by the entrance.
• The menu includes a special cocktail named “The Rose” Mofford. The cocktail was conceived by the bar staff together, and features a fragrant blend of violet liqueur, rose water, lemon and vodka.

“We are a big fan of Rose and what she stood for,” Valley Bar owner Charlie Levy said. “I only wish all politicians can take the lead like she did. She was a great lady.”

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In response to Mofford’s death Sept. 15 at age 94, Valley Bar featured a heartfelt message on its Facebook page, sending sympathies to her friends and family.

“Rose (Arizona's first Female Governor) was a fantastic example of a civil servant, as well as our lounge's namesake. An Arizona native, she lived at Central and Maryland for 50 years, and made the people of Arizona her first priority.”

Mofford never made it into the bar, but she heard about it and sent a staffer to take pictures and bring a gift pack filled with pictures and mementos.

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Bartender Corey Gomez said "The Rose" Mofford is Valley Bar's most popular cocktail. "It's very light and floral. It's the most unique out of all of our specialty cocktails. It's tried and true, like Rose Mofford."

Levy calls the drink "well-balanced" and "not too sweet, not too tart, it's just right."

Downtown Phoenix residents Dennis and Janine Skinner stopped at Valley Bar on the way to the Phoenix Mercury game Thursday just to have "The Rose" Mofford cocktail.

"I've been in Arizona since 1978, and was here during the meat of the scandal sandwich," Dennis said. "I appreciate Rose Mofford's time as a governor because she brought dignity back to the office... She was a class act."

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The bar usually offers a special on the drink during Mofford’s birthday. The Arizona native was born June 10, 1922, in Globe. Levy said the cocktail won’t be discounted on Thursday. Rather, it’s a day to mourn.

Gomez still expected to sell more than 100 'Rose' drinks Thursday night.

'The Rose' Mofford

1½ ounces Tito’s Handmade Vodka

½ Tempus Fugit Liqueur de Violettes

¾ ounce lemon juice

½ ounce simple syrup

4 dashes of rose water

To make it: Shake all ingredients together in a tin. Strain into a coupe glass, garnish with a rosemary sprig.

Details: Valley Bar, 130 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-368-3121, valleybarphx.com.