Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/133302
Second place in the contest went to mixologist Freddy Diaz, President of Alambiq, Inc. He represented Kindred Spirits, crafting the 1 Ball Cocktail based on his favorite game: pool. Diaz used Martin Miller's Westbourne Strength Gin, yellow Chartreuse, lime juice, simple syrup, yellow bell pepper puree and an egg white, with a garnish of yellow bell pepper slice and edible amaranth. honored to win it because all of the drinks looked so good and were so creative," said Patel, who says he is a firm believer in keeping it as simple as possible with three to four ingredients at most in a cocktail. "And Todd is one of my bartending heroes, and in a time when it is hard to do anything new, he has taken it to another level so I am really honored he was judging." Patel, who began his career in London working around the world before settling as Florida state mixologist for TY KU Saké & Spirits and the brains behind one of Florida's celebrated spirits destinations, Ciro's Speakeasy in Tampa. In addition to Patel, five other mixologists in all were asked to prepare fully garnished cocktails—aperitif, long drink and dessert—for judging by Call for Cocktails judges, including the aforementioned Todd Thrasher of Restaurant Eve, BevMo! Head Spirits Buyer Ted Carmon, bartender Pamela Wiznitzer of New York City's The Dead Rabbit, Liquor.com CEO and cofounder Kit Codik and Drinking Made Easy TV host Zane Lamprey. "These were excellent cocktails very complex ingredients and the winner was most unique—those base ingredients showed versatility," said Carmon. Wiznitzer called it "wild" and said the forward element of surprise Patel showcased is the kind of thing that is moving the spirits industry forward. "As a mixologist, aesthetics are important, but engaging all the senses is what makes a diverse cocktail," she said. "And in this cocktail, the nose and taste are such a juxtaposition." That's what Patel hoped when he came up with his Aroma Coma cocktail. "I like to make cocktails that pair well with food and especially love the alchemy of cocktails—for example, alcohol and oil don't usually mix, but I am always asking myself, How can I make this work?, so that's why I added the toasted sesame oil," he explained. Third place went to a cocktail made with worthy industry newcomer Blue Chair Bay Rum, recently launched by owner and country music's reigning monarch, Kenny Chesney. Blue Chair and for her philosophy on stealing vodka lovers over to the gin side of life. Arthur's bid to win was the Dry Sherry Punch made with Aviation Gin, El Maestro Sierra Manzanilla Sherry, Small Hand Foods Orgeat, Cointreau, fresh lemon juice and two quarter-inchthick cucumber rounds with a mint tip for garnish. "This is a really mixable gin, not high on the juniper side and well balanced— and with the sweet orange peel it is the perfect gateway to moving vodka lovers into drinking gin," said Arthur. Showstopping superstars Chris Chamberlain and Andrew Pollard prepared so many cocktails, their speed in creating them was dizzying. (See below recap for details on Chamberlain's win for Best Aperitif.) In Call for Cocktails, Charmer Sunbelt's Chamberlain represented Park Street Imports with his Brooklyn 75 cocktail of Brooklyn Gin, orange blossom honey syrup, fresh lemon juice and kumquat jam with kumquat for garnish. Nearby, representing Karlsson's Vodka, Andrew Pollard of Wirtz Beverage mixed up the Gammaldags with Karlsson's Gold, Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao, Dolin Sweet Vermouth, Regan's Orange and Fee Brothers Whiskey Barrel. Pollard was also a superstar frequent face on the competition stage – also preparing his The Bitter Dutchess cocktail for Caballeros Inc. with a recipe created by Jason Walsh, the mixologist for Cocktail Logic, using Scorpion Silver Mezcal, Campari, orgeat syrup and fresh lime juice. Blue Chair Bay Mixologist Jonathan Pogash. Bay mixologist Jonathan Pogash made the Wet Money with Blue Chair Bay White Rum, orgeat (almond) syrup, green Chartreuse and fresh lime juice, strained over ice in a rocks glass with curved lime peel for garnish. The drink was a creative sensation nevertheless! "Wet Money is an ode to money left in your pants when you're in the Caribbean and go swimming," said Pogash. "This rum will appeal to the mixology community, especially the white rum because it blends so well with every other ingredient." Special recognition goes to Brooke Arthur of House Spirits Distillery for more than holding her own as the only female participant in Call for Cocktails Andrew Pollard of Wirtz Beverage. june 2013 / the tasting panel / 123 TP0613_120-156.indd 123 5/23/13 4:53 PM