Signature cocktails come in surprising variety

If you approach a bartender at Noir Bar and ask for "something different," don't be surprised when he rambles off things more likely to be found in your mother's kitchen.

How about a Peanut Butter & Jelly martini? Or perhaps you'd be more interested in a Carrot Cake martini or Blueberry Pie cocktail? Maybe a Spicy Cucumber cocktail would suit you better.

Those are just some of the more interesting specialty, signature cocktails found at the ultra-exclusive venue tucked away inside LAX nightclub at Luxor. And they just crack the tip of the iceberg when it comes to unusual libations found across the Las Vegas bar/lounge landscape.

"We wanted a place with exclusivity," says Steve Davidovici, managing partner for Pure Management Group, which runs Noir Bar. "It has been well-received. We're really the only old-school bar in town."

Davidovici says one of Noir's goals was to bring in some of the city's best mixologists to work behind the bar, with an array of talent and ideas that would lead to a unique blend of specialty cocktails available for the venue's patrons.

"It's not about 'T&A' at Noir," Davidovici says. "I wanted mixologists, not bartenders."

Noir's Carrot Cake martini might be the most unusual cocktail you will find in Las Vegas. The drink's main alcoholic components are Toschi Nocello liqueur, Bailey's Irish Cream, Montecristo rum and Van Gogh vanilla vodka.

You then add raisins, brown sugar, fresh nutmeg and carrot shavings to the mix and serve in a martini glass with a cream cheese frosting rim.

Several other clubs/lounges feature their own original cocktails. Some of the more interesting ones include:

JUST WHAT THE WITCH DOCTOR ORDERED -- This mammoth-sized cocktail is appropriately served at VooDoo Lounge -- arguably the best place to find unusual drinks -- inside the Rio. Loaded with 15 different types of rum and different juices, it's big enough to last you most of the night. The highlight of the cocktail are the chips of dry ice placed in it that create a continuous fog hovering atop the glass.

TAO LOVE POTION NO. 9 -- A Tao Las Vegas favorite, this cocktail is made with Bacardi Razz rum, cranberry juice and Tao Lifeforce Energy Potion.

SANCHO -- This isn't any old margarita. This 44-ounce, massive cocktail served at Diablo's Cantina at the Monte Carlo features 100 percent blue agave tequila, Citronage, fresh lemon sour and fresh pressed lime.

"The Sancho margarita is unique because of its size, the 44-ounce cup makes it perfect for sharing and plus you get a logo'd souvenir to take with you," says Michael MacDonnell, beverage director for the Light Group. "The Sancho is made of nothing but premium ingredients."

CABLE CAR -- Found at the Petrossian Bar inside Bellagio, this drink is made up of Marie Broussard Parfait Amour liqueur, Orange Curacao, Captain Morgan Spiced Rum and lemon served in a cinnamon sugar-rimmed cocktail glass.

LOVE SPELL -- Another VooDoo Lounge favorite, this tasty drink features white cranberry juice, lime, POM juice and Finlandia Mango vodka.

BLACKBERRY SMASH -- Belvedere Citrus vodka and Marie Broussard Parfait Amour liqueur mix with spearmint, lemon and blackberries to make up this drink served at Boa restaurant's bar inside the Forum Shops at Caesars.

"The short juleps are perfect for any two lips that seek adventure, character and old-fashioned craftsmanship," says Eric Smith, an assistant manager and head mixologist for Boa Steakhouse.

TAO-TINI -- This tasty little number featured at Tao Las Vegas inside The Venetian boasts Absolut Mandrin vodka, Stolichnaya Raspberry vodka and Malibu Rum, mixed with cranberry and fresh lime juice.

EL PRESIDENTE -- This signature cocktail served at the Pink Taco bar and restaurant inside the Hard Rock Hotel features Jose Cuervo tequila, Citronage and a sweet-and-sour mix made from scratch.

TEQUILA MOON -- A tasty drink served at Social House restaurant and bar inside Treasure Island, it combines Moonstone Raspberry sake, Cointreau liqueur and watermelon puree with Patron Silver tequila.

SILK CHOCOLATE -- Starbucks coffee liqueur, Absolut Vanilla vodka and Godiva Chocolate liqueur make up this sweet drink served at VooDoo Lounge.