Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/46939
If throwing parties were truly considered an art, Tobin Ellis could go down as one of the masters—say, Rembrandt. For his recent birthday, which coincided with THE TASTING PANEL's Fashion Forward Cocktail Speed Tasting, the Bar Magic consul- tant convened a special edition of his traveling Social Mixology events, bringing together bartenders, brand ambassadors, chefs and socialites for a raucous romp at Las Vegas's off-Strip Artisan Hotel. "Beautiful Souls" was the theme, requiring all attendees to strut their most outrageous "soles," i.e., shoes. Mixologists were given premium brands with which to create unique cocktails for the event, with several of Los Angeles's heavy hitters comparing creativity with Vegas's best. "It's a pop-up speakeasy," Ellis told THE TASTING PANEL, explaining the Social Mixology ethos, "A traveling party with some of the best cocktail bartenders and DJs in the country; nightlife meets the cocktail world. The only constant is that we change things every time: bartenders, entertainment, passwords, ice programs, themes, locations." L.A.'s offerings included The Last Herb (Hendrick's Gin with a pineapple-herb reduction) by Tricia Alley from Studio City's hot new restau- rant and bar Black Market; the Land Ho! (Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, muddled pineapple, Monin Orgeat) by Naomi Schimek, Beverage Director at The Spare Room; and the Onsen Fizz (Bombay Sapphire East with milk and matcha powder) by Joe Brooke from Next Door Lounge. Vegas brought big guns too: Bellagio's Matt Myers shooting rocks glasses of The Macallan 10 Year down a fun luge bar (mixing with Boiron Peach Purée, Barkeep Lavender Bitters, DiSaronno and Luxardo Cherry in the Curse of Corleone) while Wynn/Encore's Patricia Richards shook up the Mai Chai (Macallan 10 Year Old, Disaronno, Angostura, chai). Mariena Mercer of The Cosmopolitan's Chandelier Bar and Nate Green from Vanguard Lounge mixed Ellis's own Deconstructed Smokey (Corzo Reposado Tequila, smoked cranberry foam) and Basiado (Leblon Cachaça, lemongrass, cilantro, lime, cucumber, Monin Coconut Espuma) respectively. "We work at having really great cocktails every time," Ellis says. "I tell bartenders to 'bring the thunder,' we want people to see you do your craft, mixing à la minute." By the wee hours, the birthday boy was giving trick-shot billiards lessons to Bombay Sapphire Brand Ambassador Gary Hayward in the VIP suite and yoga demonstrations in the lobby, which we're sure had nothing to do with working off a surprise present of Piña Colada cupcakes with Aperol foam (yes, you read that right) baked by Mercer. Anyone who didn't have an unforgettable eve was not available for comment at press time. Joe Brooke from Next Door Lounge made the trip from L.A. to show off his après ski boots. THE TASTING PANEL'S Meridith May, Tobin Ellis and Wynn/Encore's Patricia Richards. Bellagio's Matt Myers and his Macallan luge. Bar Magic's John Hogan and friend. The Land Ho! (Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, muddled pineapple, Monin Orgeat), by Naomi Schimek from Los Angeles's The Spare Room. november 201 1 / the tasting panel / 117 PHOTO: TE ANN LAKEOTAS PHOTO: TE ANN LAKEOTAS