Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/31323
DEPARTMENT HEADER Rockin’ Rocks on the THE TASTING PANEL’S LATEST BARTENDER COMPETITION fEATURED THE EXOTIC-INSPIRED fLAVORS Of ABSOLuT WILD TEA AT fULLERTON CA’S THE SLIDEBAR ROCK-N-ROLL KITCHEN by E. C. Gladstone / photos by maria Schriber Winner Ricky Yarnall of Fullerton, CA’s Matador Cantina blew away the competi- tion by using a soda siphon to create a “rapid infusion” (inspired by the French Culinary Institute’s Dave Arnold) of crushed cardamom pods into the product, adding orgeat, a little kosher salt and lemon peel for his sophisticated Finishing School. “I typically don’t like fl avored vodkas,” he said, “but Absolut Wild Tea is savory and quite mixable.” 126 / the tasting panel / may 201 1