Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/164544
Chris Amirault: An L.A. Rising Star C hris Amirault, who is behind the stick at Hollywood favorite The Eveleigh, where farmer's market ingredients drive an innovative seasonal cocktail program, is proud to be a part of the ever-growing, yet ever-intimate Los Angeles cocktail and spirits community. Though he's been working as a bartender for some time, making cocktails like a "terrible vodka-strawberry-mint drink," the past year has seen Amirault make the jump to craft cocktailian status. After working his way through training programs under the likes of Julian Cox and soaking in as much from his mentors at possible, Amirault gauges his win in the Broker's Bowler Cup as proof that his hard work is paying off. "It's been a very fast moving progression," explains Amirault. "I've been lucky enough to learn from some really great people. The L.A. family is just so welcoming and warm, and I am very grateful to the people in this community." Amirault's bar edification and willingness to learn paved the way for his winning drink, The Ballad of Sir Francis Drake, a cocktail designed to bring together gin and classic tiki in an unexpected way. "A lot of people's experiences with gin may be classically driven, so I wanted to bring a different way to utilize gin," he says. "I wanted to do a tiki cocktail that had a little bit of a rum base, but also retained the flavor of the gin. Broker's has some citrus and deep spice to it, which is really cool, and I wanted to bring that out in a sort of atypical flavor profile." As Amirault poured his winning cocktail in the tasting room, it was a special moment when he realized he was surrounded by friends and loved ones: "Everyone from the L.A. community is very good about embracing each other, so everyone who met up at Tales got roped into this wonderful big happy family. Whenever I go to a competition or a menu launch, there's a gaggle of L.A. bartenders rooting for each other in the spirit of sharing recipes. It's a nice feeling to know that I have a bunch of people rooting for me—and I am rooting for them." With the City of Angles at his back and a big win under his wings, Amirualt's looking to continue developing his career. "My next goal is to gain a brand ambassadorship or consult on a menu. Though that's still a little ways down the road for me, I'm looking forward to engrossing myself in the industry and learning new things every day," he says. "I want to know every facet of this industry, and be as creative and grow as much as possible. L.A. is the perfect place for me to do that." The Ballad of Sir Francis Drake ◗ 1½ oz. Broker's Gin ◗ ½ oz. El Dorado 12 Year Demerara Rum ◗ ¾ oz. toasted pistachio-infused coconut cream ◗ ½ oz. fresh lemon juice ◗ 2 dashes Miracle Mile Toasted Pecan Bitters ◗ Dry shake ingredients, then shake vigorously with cubes. Double-strain into a coupe, garnish with nutmeg. Chris Amirault wears his Broker's bowler hat at New Orleans' famed Café du Monde. september 2013 / the tasting panel / 115 TP0913_104-156.indd 115 8/22/13 10:31 PM