Cocktail Contest - Rye Competition, June 2010

The first Monday of every month, San Francisco hot spot Rye (688 Geary Street) hosts a spirited cocktail competition. Professional bartenders and mixologists traverse the Bay Area to compete.

On June 7, 2010, The Perfect Puree and Charbay teamed up to sponsor the competition, featuring Charbay’s impressive line-up of flavored vodkas and Vanilla Rum to pair with El Corazon, Rum Runner, Yuzu Luxe Sour or Passion Colada from Beverage Artistry.

Congratulations to John Ojinaga, Jason Withrow, and MacKenzie Spurlock, the last competitors standing. Their winning recipes follow:

FIRST PLACE:
Nara, Jon Ojinaga (Clift Hotel – SF) – Named after the former capital of Japan

2 oz. Charbay Green Tea Vodka
1 oz. Nigori Sake
1 oz. Beverage Artistry Yuzu Luxe Sour

Pour ingredients into a mixing glass, add ice. Shake for 15 seconds. Pour into a martini glass. Garnish with an orchid or a lemon twist.

SECOND PLACE:
Samurai, Jason Withrow (Redd – Napa Valley)

4 blackberries
3 oz. Charbay Green Tea Vodka
1 1/2 oz. Beverage Artistry Yuzu Luxe Sour
1/2 oz. lemon-ginger simple syrup

Shaken and double-strained over ice, topped with Fever Tree Ginger Beer

THIRD PLACE:
MF 5000, MacKenzie Spurlock (Minnie’s Lounge – Modesto)

3/4 oz. lime juice
1/2 muddled jalapeño
1/4 oz. Beverage Artistry White Sangria
1/2 oz. Beverage Artistry Yuzu Luxe Sour
1 1/2 oz. Charbay Meyer Lemon Vodka

Shaken and strained, garnished with cayenne pepper on the rim and a slice of jalapeño