Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/91577
Riding the WAVE at Rowdy Buck For Luc Felak, bartender at Pittsburgh's Rowdy Buck, WAVE's pack- aging was what first attracted him to the flavored beverage. "Vodka is such a versatile spirit, but the color really spices up just the look of it. Not to mention it tastes great," Felak says. Felak knew WAVE would be a perfect fit for Rowdy Buck's cock- tail menu because it goes along with the restaurant's fun philosophy focused on presenting a new experience to guests. Felak loved playing with the brand's seven flavors before landing on WAVE cherry to feature in his Cherry Bond Martini. "It has a ruby red, almost bloody look to it," Felak says. Cherry Bond At Pittsburgh hotspot, Rowdy Buck. ◗ 1½ oz. Cherry WAVE Vodka ◗ ½ oz. Lillet ◗ 3 oz. gin ◗ Combine in a shaking tin with ice; shake and serve up with a lemon twist. It's a New WAVE at Shiloh Grill Beyond WAVE's striking color, Billy Dinsmore of Pittsburgh's Shiloh Grill, credits WAVE's unique packaging for its popular- ity. "It just looks great. If I put that bottle on my bar, I know customers would be interested to know what exactly it is." The premium-looking packaging lures customers in, but it is the taste that Dinsmore feels will have them begging for more. "There are a ton of flavored vodkas, but WAVE gets it right with the fruity taste." In Dinsmore's quest to create the perfect tangy, sweet cocktail, he played with a number of fruits and fruit juices, before settling on the mixture of strawberries and basil which, "really play well with the flavors in Baja." The tropical taste of Dinsmore's Strabajaca, a play on the Spanish word for basil, is an almost painful reminder to the long- gone summer, but once WAVE's new Chocolate Pretzel variation becomes available, Dinsmore will be sure to create a sweet, comforting cocktail to warm up those cold winter nights. Strabajaca ◗ 2½ oz. WAVE Baja ◗ 2-3 strawberries ◗ 2-3 basil leaves ◗ Splash of simple syrup ◗ Splash of fresh lemon juice ◗ Splash of soda water ◗ Muddle strawberries, basil, and simple syrup. Add lemon, WAVE Baja and ice; shake, strain into a Martini glass. Top with a splash of soda and strawberry garnish. november 2012 / the tasting panel / 125