USBG Member Wins Oficial Drink of Austin Contest!

Abdul Ford of the Driskill Hotel has won the 2010 Official Drink of Austin Contest at the city's inaugural Night of the Bat event. Ford is a bartender at the Driskill and a member of USBG Austin. Here is the winning recipe (don't be alarmed by the "sweet & sour mix"--Abdul makes his own from fresh citrus and agave nectar):

"The Brazos Brasiliensis Batini"

• Tito's Vodka
• Hibiscus/Ginger Syrup
• Sweet & Sour Mix
Hibiscus/Ginger Syrup

• Sugar
• Water
• "Dry" Hibiscus
• Fresh Ginger
Boil all ingredients for 15 minutes; remove from heat and cool down for two hours in refrigerator. Strain and serve. Pick hibiscus flower over blackberry for bat garnish.

"The idea behind the drink was that, first and foremost, it had to be refreshing," says Abdul Ford, mixologist at The Driskill Hotel and creator of the winning drink. "It also had to be simple to make, but have complex flavors. And really, it had to look, smell and taste great."

Junior Merino y Siembra Azul @ Swoop House

"Liquid Chef" Junior Merino's tool bag

Tonight's meeting at the Swoop House was great. Thanks to David Suro of Siembra Azul tequila for sponsoring our event.

We started the evening off with a quick demonstration of Domaine de Canton cocktails by Bill Norris, USBG Austin member who is now doing some local work for them. Bill announced his intention to make John J & Ginger (Jameson & Canton, equal parts) the "official" drink of Austin's service industry.

David Suro led a discussion on tequila from his perspective as both a brand founder of Siembra Azul and owner of Tequilas restaurant in Philadelphia.


Junior Merino and his liquid colleague Heidi made four cocktails showcasing the Siembra Azul lineup and Junior's new line of signature syrups and salts.


Special thanks to Stephen Shallcross of the Swoop House and 2Dine4 catering for hosting and making the fabulous food.

After the official presentation, Junior showed us some footage from his Liquid Lab in NY, where invited guests get intensive hands-on training in flavor architecture.

USBG Meeting Moved to Swoop House

Tonight's USBG Austin meeting has been moved to the Swoop House, 3012 Gonzales, in order to accommodate a change in programming: David Suro, tequila expert and owner of Tequilas Restaurant in Philadelphia, and "the Liquid Chef" Junior Merino will be presenting tequila and cocktails with food from 2Dine4 catering, sponsored by Siembra Azul. 7-8:30 pm tonight.

Austin Julep Cup Winner Announced

Monday night's Austin Julep Cup had a great turnout of Austin bartenders, a mix of competitors and observers taking part in what we hope will be an annual event brought to you by Maker's Mark. Paggi House and bar manager Jeff Boley provided the facility.


Tipsy Tech graduates Zach Rose and Charles Cates at the Paggi House


The 2010 Cup went to Marcelo Nascimento of Lucky 13 Cocktail Catering. His recipe follows:

DARK HORSE JULEP
Description: A loose interpretation of the mint julep made with Maker’s Mark Bourbon, crushed basil, and a reduction of Guinness Draught, IBC Root Beer, fresh cherries, ginger root and sweetened with rapadura.

Ingredients:
1.75 oz Maker’s Mark 90 Bourbon
2 oz Dark Horse Reduction*
4 Basil leaves

Method:
In a double old fashioned glass, add Maker’s Mark, Dark Horse Reduction, and 3 basil leaves. Gently muddle ingredients and top with crushed ice. Stir and garnish with basil leaf that has been appropriately abused.

*Dark Horse Reduction:
Yields: approx 14 oz.

Ingredients:
1 cup fresh cherries, deseeded and crushed
1 TSP fresh ginger, minced
1 TBLS Heirloom orange zest
1 cup Guinness Draught
1 1/4 cup IBC Root Beer
1/4 cup filtered water
1 TBLS Rapadura, chopped (Hard Brown Sugar)

Method:
In a sauce pan, add all ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer/reduce by 1/3. Remove from heat and let cool. Strain and store cold.

Maker's Mark Mint Julep Cup

Adam and David raffling off Mint Julep bottles at Derby Day Austin

Adam Harris, our Austin area distillery diplomat for Maker's Mark, is hosting the inaugural Austin Julep Cup at Paggi House, Monday May 24 at 6pm.

Five bartenders will compete for this year's Cup:
Ace Manning of Peche
Marcelo Nacimiento of Lucky 13 Catering
Abdul Ford of the Driskill Hotel
Carter Wilsford of Peche (formerly of Specs south)
Stephan Ridoux representing the home team for Paggi House

There will be special presentations by Adam Harris of Maker’s Mark and Russell Davis, USBG Austin chapter President.

At 7:30, the bar will be turned over to any bartender in the house to take part in an informal cocktail jam.

Complimentary finger food and discounted Maker’s Mark all night

Marcelo Nascimento to Represent USBG Austin

New USBG Austin member Marcelo Nascimento of Lucky 13 Cocktail Catering has been selected to compete in the Milagro Margarita contest at Tales of the Cocktail this summer in New Orleans. Marcelo will represent the USBG Austin chapter in a competition among 15 USBG chapters from around the US.

Cabana Cachaca Bartender Olympics

Cabana Cachaca is hosting a Bartender Olympics at Tales of the Cocktail this year. Contact Bill Norris or your local Cabana official for the rules: