cocktail competitions

What You Don't Know About Cocktail Competitions
Drinks

4 Things I Learned While Judging a Cocktail Competition

The cocktail scene in San Francisco is thriving and earlier this week I judged a competition hosted by the United States Bartender's Guild.
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The cocktail scene in San Francisco is thriving and earlier this week I judged a competition hosted by the United States Bartender's Guild. There were eight bartenders from the Bay Area making drinks with DonQ rum in two distinct categories: a homemade ingredient-driven, spirit-based drink and a fruity, long drink served over ice in a tall glass.

The tasting was blind, fellow judges Martin Cate, owner of tiki bar Smuggler's Cove, and Borys Saciuk, brand ambassador for 42 Below Vodka, and I were behind a mirror, so we couldn't tell which bartender mixed which drink. Besides enjoying eight mighty delicious libations, I also learned some interesting things. To find out what they are, keep reading.

Happy Hour: The Grey Lady
recipes

Happy Hour: The Grey Lady

Last month YumSugar and I attended a cocktail competition hosted by the drinks-based social networking website, Nirvino.
by partysugar

Last month YumSugar and I attended a cocktail competition hosted by the drinks-based social networking website, Nirvino. We were a little worried about the contest, not because we were competing, but because each of the five cocktails had to use No. 209 Gin. Normally, I'm not a fan of the strong, intensely botanical flavor of gin, however the concoctions created by San Francisco's bartending elite were surprisingly well-balanced and drinkable. The winning drink, The Grey Lady, created by Greg Lindgren, the owner of one of my watering holes, Rye, was particularly memorable. A mixture of gin, fresh lemon juice, and Earl Grey syrup, this drink is innovative (who would think to use breakfast tea in a cocktail?), light, airy, smooth, and delicious. Although one of the ingredients, bergamot, is incredibly hard to find, the tipple can be enjoyed without it. To watch a video of Greg making the concoction at the party and check out the recipe, read more