Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/164544
TALES OF THE COCKTAIL Lauren-Taylor Axt: Big Country, Big Cocktail "M y home town of Estill Springs, Tennessee, is a two–red light town that is still celebrating our addition of a Dollar General," says Lauren-Taylor Axt, a talented young lady who's already risen to the rank of Bar Manager at Chattanooga's Chato Brasserie at the tender age of 21. "I worked my way from the bottom up. I had a mentor here, Jerron Harris, and I basically followed him every night, and he would train me an hour or two every night for six months. When I finally got behind the bar, I realized that I was transitioning from a bartender to a mixologist, and it was a real ephiphany that has helped me continue to push myself." Axt was up to the challenge with her winning cocktail, The Mule Broker, a take on a Moscow Mule. "Broker's is a gentleman's gin," comments Axt. "It's very classic, yet still very modern. It's a simple gin that hasn't been messed with too many fancy botanicals and herbs, which leaves a lot of room to mix with it." After winning the first competition she'd ever entered, Axt was thrilled to continue her spirited education at in New Orleans, both in and out of the Broker's tasting room. "Tales of the Cocktail was an absolutely unbelievable experience for me," admits Axt. "There were moments when I spent 30 minutes pondering the 'simplexity' of a lemon twist, and there were moments when I had such great opportunities to learn about batching from the other Broker's winners." With the Tales whirlwind behind her, Axt is keen to continue to passionately learn the craft of cocktails: "I've learned so much about this art form recently, and going to Tales really gave me that extra drive to continue to be better. I feel so blessed to have had this opportunity, and can't wait to see what's next." The Mule Broker ◗ 2½ oz. Broker's Gin ◗ ¼ oz. fresh egg white ◗ ¾ oz. fresh-squeezed lime juice ◗ ½ oz. simple syrup ◗ ½ oz. lychee nut purée ◗ 3 sprigs of fresh thyme ◗ 2 oz. Fever-Tree Ginger Beer ◗ Vigorously shake all ingredients except ginger beer Lauren-Taylor Axt takes in the Tales magic at the Hotel Monteleone's legendary Carousel Bar. until egg whites foam. Pour over ice into copper mug and top with ginger beer. Garnish with lime wheels, thyme and juniper berries. 116 / the tasting panel / september 2013 TP0913_104-156.indd 116 8/22/13 10:31 PM