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DEPARTMENT HEADER In the Add Some Spice to the New Year with Re-Mix Yazi Ginger Vodka! TOP MIXOLOGISTS SUPPORT THE USBG'S SAN DIEGO CHAPTER PHOTO: LEIGH CASTELLI T Apple Blossom • 1.5 oz Yazi Ginger Vodka • .5 oz Amaretto • Fill with Hot Apple Cider • Garnish with Lemon or Cinnamon Stick PHOTO: LEIGH CASTELLI he basement of San Diego's historic U.S. Grant hotel was awash in the glow of bartending star power this past November as the venue played host to the "Re-Mixed" Oficial After Party, held in support of the San Diego chapter of the U.S. Bartenders' Guild as part of the 9th annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival. Backed by a jazz quartet bopping and scatting on a nearby Jeff Johannes, head mixologist stage, nine of the area's at San Diego's U.S. Grant Hotel, top mixologists took creating his cocktail for the turns holding court Re-Mixed Official After Party. in the middle of the hotel's massive Celestial Ballroom, their effusive charm and serious shaker skills creating a pleasantly drinkable theater in the round. At the center of the shindig was Jeff Johannes, U.S. Grant's Head Mixologist and prime mover behind the event, who spent the night showing off his creative acumen by serving up a golden-hued Karlsson's Gold Vodka–infused cocktail that he spontaneously dubbed the Flip Flop. Local heavyweights such as Blind Tiger Cocktail Co.'s Dustin Haarstad and Brian Prugalidad of Craft & Commerce were standing shoulder to shoulder with Johannes, whipping out magical concoctions featuring the likes of Hendrick's Gin and Angel's Envy Bourbon. And while the drink names bordered on irreverent (Honey Brian Prugalidad of Craft Boo-Boo, anyone?), the qual& Commerce concocted ity of the potables consistently a cocktail featuring relected the expertise of their Angel's Envy Bourbon for inventors. —Rich Manning the event ©2013 Hood River Distillers, Inc., Hood River, OR USA Yazi Ginger Vodka, 35% Alc./Vol. Stay in control. ® www.drinkyazi.com