Las Vegas’ most unusual cocktails

Considering that some of the world’s most talented mixologists work in Las Vegas, it should come as no surprise that the city is home to plenty of creative cocktail concoctions.

When you’re thirsting for a drink that really packs a punch, head on over to Buddy V’s Ristorante — “Cake Boss” Buddy Valastro’s new restaurant inside the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian | The Palazzo — for its Drago Rosso ($14). A combination of muddled pomegranate, jalapeño and mango served in a highball glass with Absolut Ruby Red and garnished with candied fruit, the pungent cocktail is a real treat for those who can handle the heat!

If you have more of a sweet tooth, the PB&J Margarita ($13) at Hussong’s Cantina inside the Shoppes at Mandalay Place is sure to please. A blend of crème de cassis, triple sec, agave, sweet and sour, blanco tequila and muddled blackberries with a splash of cranberry juice, the unique drink comes with peanut butter on the rim, providing palates with that perfect mix of salty and sweet.

For a fun — albeit more intoxicating — take on the frozen margarita, the Chonga ($20) at Tacos & Tequila inside Luxor is a giant frozen margarita with two upside-down 7-ounce Sol beers flowing into it. Perfect on a hot day, guests can choose from an assortment of flavors, including blueberry citrus, spiced apple and pineapple chipotle.

Of course, nothing is stranger than a cocktail that costs $10,000. The Ono Cocktail at XS Nightclub inside Encore at Wynn Las Vegas — a sweet and fruity mix of apricot purée, rose extract, fresh orange juice, Remy Martin Louis XIII’s elite Black Pearl cognac and Charles Heidsieck’s Champagne Charlie — helps justify its extravagant price tag by coming with a keepsake jewel encrusted champagne glass, an 18k gold necklace adorned with a Tahitian black pearl and a diamond, and a pair of Montblanc cuff links made with genuine leather and a solid gold XS logo. It’s not every cocktail that comes with its own accessories, but as these drinks have shown, Las Vegas isn’t known for serving “ordinary” cocktails!