Guest writer Chris Carlsson from Spirits Review shares this reportage with the rest of us:
On May 1st 2009, the World Bar played host to the USBG (United States Bartenders Guild) New York Chapter Bartending Competition. Participants vied for the right to represent New York in the Nationals. That winner will then go on to rep the whole U.S. and go to the international competition and compete against some of the best in the world for top honors.
The NYC contestants were Elba Gyron, Eryn Reese, Erin Williams , Lisa Victoria Williams, Marshall Altier and Jonathan Pogash. Some of the spectators came from as far away as New Orleans and Moscow and were quite entertained by as the bartenders showed off both their creative cocktail abilities and their form. Here are the winners:
1st place: The Pulitzer - Jonathan Pogash (Hospitality Holdings)
1 1/2 oz. Tres Generaciones Reposado Tequila
1/2 oz. St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur
2 tsp. Fernet-Branca
1 tsp. agave nectar
Directions: Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish: mint sprig that’s been slapped around a bit to release it’s aroma.
2nd place: The Last Effort - Lisa Victoria Hare (Von and Bobo)
1 1/2 oz. Tres Generaciones Plata Tequila
1/4 oz. Carpano Antica Formula
1/4 oz. Maraschino Liqueur
1/4 oz. Green Chartreuse
1/2 oz. Fresh lime juice
Directions: Combine all ingredients except the Carpano into a mixing glass, shake with ice and strain into a martini glass. Then the Carpano is added last, drizzled over a barspoon onto the drink. Garnish: lime wheel and cherries
3rd Place: Summer Night - Erin Williams (Remy Cointreau Brand Ambassador)
1 3/4 oz. Tres Generaciones Anejo Tequila
1/2oz. Cointreau Noir
3/4 oz. Carpano Antica Formula
1/4 oz. Simple syrup
1 dash Regan's orange bitters
Directions: combine all ingredients in a mixing glass, stir, strain into martini glass or coupe, garnish with lemon twist.
Buen Provecho Aperitif – Marshall Altier (Insieme)
1 1/2 oz. Tres Generaciones Reposado
1/2 oz. Carpano Antica Formula
1/2 oz. Lillet Blonde
1 barspoon Strega
1 dash Regan’s Orange bitters
Rinse Fernet Branca (approx. 1/4 oz.)
Directions: Rinse the glass with a small amount (approx. 1/4 oz) Fernet Branca. Pour all other ingredients into a mixing glass and stir. Strain into a cocktail glass and cut a swatch of orange peel. Flame the orange peel with a match and spray caramelize oil over the glass. Rub the skin of the orange peel around the rim of the glass and drop it into the glass. Sip and enjoy!
Tequila and the Hare – Eryn Reece (Louis 649)
2 oz. Tres Generaciones Plata
1/2 oz. Velvet Falernum
1/4 oz. fresh lime juice
1/4 oz. Carpano Antiaca
3 dashes Fee Bros. Grapefruit bitters
Directions: combine all ingredients into a tin, shake with ice and strain into coupe. Garnish: lime wheel
Bad News Cocktail – Elba Giron (www.elbasgiron.com)
1 oz. Tres Generaciones Anejo Tequila
3/4 oz. Carpano Antica formula
3/4 oz. Benedictine
1 dash Fee Bros Whiskey Barrel-Aged Bitters
Directions: Add all ingredients into a mixing glass and fill with ice. Stir with a bar spoon (25-35 revolutions) and using a julep strainer, strain into a chilled cocktail glass (coupe). Flame orange peel over cocktail, serve and enjoy!