Blessed to be a Blessing Toy Drive

We have the privilege of being one of the sponsors at the 3rd annual Official Anais Toy drive, benefiting A New Me foundation. Last year it was our 1st year and was held at the Lacuna Artist Lofts and was a memorable experience. This years toy Drive will be held at Donna's Cafe at 1255 S. State Street from 4p-7p.

A New Me Foundation is a non for profit organization that provides for victims and survivors of Domestic Violence. Randi Knight from Soul 106.3 will be a special guest host and speaker at this years toy drive which including US will have sponsorships from 1604 Designs, the Hip Hop Democrat, Speak H.O.P.E., and others.

So please come out, support a GREAT cause, and help someone who is probably less fortunate than you are. Its always better to give than to receive, and we are giving back by sponsoring and providing everyone with a pretty tasty Caliche Rum cocktail at the event. Also as an incentive to my readers and to everyone who makes it out, whomever makes the largest donation(whether monetarily or gifts) will receive a FREE 4 hour in home event with DrinkxXx On Me and Mr.Mixologist. So get there, network, and help some people in need!!

Until Next Time
Mr.Mixologist

Happy Repeal Day!!!

Happy Repeal Day everyone. On January 16th, 1919 congress passed the 18th amendment outlawing alcohol consumption and sales. Repeal Day is the day that Prohibition ended with the passing of the 21st amendment of the United States on December 5, 1933. This year marks the 79th anniversary of this great day! 

During Prohibition, people continued to produce and drink alcohol, and bootlegging helped foster a massive industry completely under the control of organized crime. Drinking in speakeasies became increasingly fashionable, and many mothers worried about the allure that alcohol and other illegal activities associated with bootlegging would have over their children.  
The most effective depiction of prohibition era bootlegging, in my opinion,  and some of the tactics and things that were going on in this time of history is on my favorite television series Boardwalk Empire. Ironically I found out that the state of Utah(a Mormon state) was the one who ratified the 21st amendment, giving the 3/4 threshold needed to enact the 18th amendment. 


So take this day today, go out and celebrate responsibly, and enjoy a classic cocktail. Ill be celebrating with some friends this evening over some Zacapa Rum cocktails. I'll leave this posting with a few visuals from Prohibition and post Prohibition... 

Cheers,

Until Next Time
Mr. Mixologist

TONIGHT!!!!!! Drink for a Cause!! NEW YORK STATE OF MIND!

With Hurricane Sandy affecting New York and New Jersey last week, Some of my USBG NYC brothers and sisters were affected. So now its our time to help them out. TONIGHT at Salud Tequila Lounge. Myself along with 17 other of Chicago's finest will be serving Beer, Punch, shots, and food for any and all who come thru. 8pm-2am in one hour shifts 3 bartenders will be "guest bartenders" to serve you. 100% proceeds and tips go to our friends on the east coast. $20 donation at the door is suggested, and with that gets your food and drink.  Raffles with some AMAZING gifts, dinners, a Fernet Bicycle, a St. Germain Bicycle, and many many more... 

If you re not anywhere tonight this is where you should be!! 8pm-2am. My bar shift is from 9p-10p, So come out and DRINK FOR A CAUSE!!! I'm in a New York State of Mind today and you should be too!! 

See you all tonight!!!! 

Back to the Rack!!!! *****Updated******

******* UPDATE!!!!!*******

With Hurricane Sandy hitting New York and New Jersey, we will not e able to attend Speed Rack this weekend. Speed Rack will be postponed and the tentative date is December 10th. Be on the lookout for details. To get involved with helping the USBGNY and donations for NYC visit the speed rack website here---> http://www.speed-rack.com/

Last year I had the opportunity to work at a very special event. Speed Rack was introduced to me and was one HELLUVA event!!! What speed rack is, is an all female bartender competition, created by female bartenders, where the bartenders get graded on speed, technique, and accuracy. All the proceeds from Speed Rack go to fight Breast Cancer. So its a great cause and worth donating monetarily and your time.

The way it works is Speed Rack is a National competition that focused on certain markets. In each market bartenders go head to head, a square off if you will, and have to make a round of drinks randomly. Each bartender is graded on speed, accuracy, taste, and presentation. Its a round robin elimination comp, and the winners of each market will meet in the final event of the year for a winner take all showdown to be named Miss Speed Rack!! 

From personal experience of serving punch at this event last year this is a GREAT time. Great people, Great cocktails, and an even BETTER CAUSE!!! So get out and look for speed rack in your city. Next up is NEW YORK CITY on November 4th. I will be there and supporting my NYC ladies!! NYC come on out!!!! 

For info check out http://speed-rack.com/

Check out this Speed Rack Teaser

Until Next Time 

Mr.Mixologist

Cocktails and Cupcakes Event

Wonderful Friday night was spent doing something positive. DrinkxXx On Me Bartending was honored to be able to volunteer our time at the Blue Sky Bakery, "Cocktails and Cupcakes" fundraiser last night. Blue Sky Bakery provides homeless and at-risk youths with employment and skills to help them become productive members of society.

The youths at Blue Sky Bakery, when hired, get 12 weeks of paid employment and get skills in cash handling, cooking, baking, maintaining a sanitary work station, deliveries, and customer service. When we were approached to volunteer our time for this fundraiser it was a no-brainer. The concept of this event was to taste 1 of 4 specialty cupcakes for the night then the USBG Mixologists( DOM Boss Josh Davis, Carol Donovan, and Bryson Ryan) picked out spirits and created cocktails to pair with the chosen cupcakes.  My cocktail was paired with the sweet potato cupcake. I had Admiral's Nelson Spiced Rum. So what i did was a variation on the Dark and Stormy cocktail, and created "The Dark Knight"- Admirals Nelson, Cinnamon syrup, fresh lime, Ginger beer. Needless to say that cocktail along with Carol's,and Bryson's was a HIT!!

Alot of fun was had and we supported a GREAT cause!! To check out and learn more about Blue Sky Bakery look at their website here ---> http://blue-sky-bakery.org/


Until Next Time
Mr.Mixologist

*** New Cocktail ... "Rising to the Top" ***

Hey everyone! Here's the newest cocktail in the Xante #BYOB series that I've created. This time I'm taking a little different approach to the series. With the weather changing, and Fall being here whiskey and cognac cocktails are becoming more of the commonplace. So the next few drinks in this series will be adaptations and variations on some classic Cognac cocktails. Since Xante is cognac based, its been alot of fun to see how it fares in being the base to these great cocktails. So for your next "Be Your Own Bartender" series cocktail, this is my variation of the Summit Cocktail...

Cheers, and hope you enjoy this cocktail at upcoming events that you catch me at. And if you try your hand at re-creating these cocktails please tweet of FB them to me using the hashtag #BYOB .

Until Next Time
Mr.Mixologist

Sh*t People say to Bartenders

OK so this video was soooooo funny I wanted to share this with some of you. I honestly think I've heard everything that has been said in this video and hear them multiple times when I'm working. Hope you all enjoy this as much as I did watching. Oh and take notes.. if you say some of these things, this might be why the bartender hates you.. lol

Cheers,
Mr.Mixologist

Mixing it up Mondays- New Restaurant in the South Loop

Hey everyone!! Happy Monday to all. Hope everyone weekend was as GREAT as mine was. I had the opportunity to visit a new spot in the south loop here in Chicago for the second time and was Impressed once again! My good friend Chasity "Bar Star" Beasley is heading up the cocktail program at Alain's a new spot that serves classic and unique flavors. I've had a different dish each time that I've visited and was satisfied both times. But more so for the reason of my blog, the cocktails!!

Chasity has taken a  seasonal approach to the cocktail menu and all have been great! She utilized fresh produce, a note to being one of Bridget Albert's students(Where we both graduated from in AOS class 14). Chasity's experience in the mixology world, from working at different bars all over the city have really come together to create some wonderful cocktails.

The Smoky Ginger Georgia Peach

The 1st time I visited was before the grand opening and the end of summer, so her summer cocktail menu was still on. I tried 3 cocktails, The "Smokey Ginger Georgia Peach",  The "Golden Days", and The "Twisted Julep". All three of these were excellent end of summer cocktails, to transition into fall cocktails. My personal favorite was the Smokey Ginger Georgia Peach. Very well balanced and a treat to see JW Black integrated into a cocktail. Alot of people are afraid to play with scotch, but this cocktail is a winner!! 

Chasity just rolled out her fall menu and I was in the restaurant on Friday night and its a couple more winners on there as well.. When you are at Alain's be sure to try the Autumns Fall Sangria,  The Classic Stoop, which is a Gin cocktail that features egg whites, rosemary and Grapefruit bitters, and the Golden Days which has taken a bit of a remix and made its way onto the fall cocktail menu. 

So when you're looking for a new place to visit for good food and great cocktails see my good friend over at Alain's 1355 S. Michigan Ave. in the heart of the South Loop. Here's a link to the website 

http://www.alainsets.com/

Unitl Next time 

Mr.Mixologist

Who is Tom Bullock?

A couple months ago I went to the annual "bartender vacation" Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans. At this event there is multiple events, tastings, parties, and dinners. This year one spirited dinner stood out to me the most... "The Life and Times of Tom Bullock." We took a dinner cruise along the Mississippi River listening to fine live music, enjoy wonderfully prepared food and enjoy some very nice Four Roses Bourbon cocktails prepared by a few bartenders most notably a good friend of mine Matt Seiter of St. Louis.

Tom Bullock was the 1st African American male to write and have his own cocktail book published,  The book was titled the Ideal bartender and was released in 1917. To this day, 95 years later, to my knowledge he is the ONLY African American to have a cocktail book published.  Mr. Bullock was born in Kentucky in 1871. He worked at various country clubs, and eventually became a famous bartender at the St. Louis Country Club where he served government officials and other dignitaries. He passed away in 1964.


George Herbert Walker, who ironically was the Great Grandfather of George W. Bush, was a HUGE fan of Bullock's cocktails and even wrote the intro to the book. The Ideal Bartender contains many pre-prohibition classic cocktails, most notably the Ramos Gin Fizz and the Mint Julep, and even calls for many spirits that we still use today in our cocktails..

The most impressive thing to me is that he was a Black man who was born right after the civil war, in the south, and to probably not be able to enjoy certain freedoms as others he was still able to make a mark on the cocktail world. As a African American bartender this book is very near and dear to me, and also gives me motivation to keep learning and perfecting my craft. Staying in my lane and being the best at what i do. If you are an AA bartender, I strongly suggest that you take a look at this book and support a piece of our history!

Check out this great recap of the dinner that BourbonBlog.com posted....

Until Next Time
Mr.Mixologist

***New Cocktail*** Xante Prickly Pear

Hey everybody!

With the re-introduction of DrinkxXx On Me Bartending Service and my website(www.DOMBartending.com), I've been quite busy and have been blogging over there. But I am back and showing my blog spot family more love. We will link the blog here to the DOM website so that we are covered on all bases.

If you follow me on Twitter/FB/Instagram, you know now that I work for Xante here in Chicago. Ive been creating cocktails, working events, and overall having a Kick ass time!! Recently we started a #BYOB(Be your own bartender) series, and I am giving out recipes each week that the consumer can try at home. So this week with Fall approaching, I have come with a new cocktail that embodies a nice Sunday of football, greasy food, and you and friends relaxing and sipping cocktails. I present the "Xante Prickly Pear"

Visuals will be coming soon. Check back here, or if you use the Instagram app follow me(MrMixologist) and you will be able to see what this AMAZING Xante cocktail will look like once you complete it.  So get to mixing and let me know how these cocktails come come out. If you Tweet enter hash tag #BYOB and send your pics of your Xante cocktail to @MrMixologist and @DrinkXanteChi

Until Next Time
Mr.Mixologist

C by Courvoisier

Well cognac lovers there is a new game in town. The Courvoisier brand is releasing a new blend called C. Fresh off of the successful Rose launch, C is an excited new staple in the family. C stands out from the rest of the portfolio as a bold, new take on Cognac.

"C is aged in young barrels to really bring out the wood, and give it a full bodied intense flavor. Its then aged in mature barrels to round out the taste profile and deliver a silky finish. With Hints of Carnation, orange peel, clove, toast, and crusty bread in its flavor profile, it is best served chilled for a truly unforgettable experience", says Patrice Pinet(Master Blender).
Here are some of the stats for C by Courviosier:

• Its blended with small batch cognacs, selected from 50 different winegrowers in the Fin Bois Cru
• A rich intense character, full bodied, that has a balance between Floral, Fruity and wood aromas.
• It is Double Barrelled for a strong Character with a smooth finish
• Packaged in the Iconic Josephine bottle.
• Has an ABV of 40%(80 proof)

C is available now with a price point of $34.99 for the 750ml bottle. 

I have the opportunity to introduce this AMAZING spirit to the city of Chicago, at a few upcoming events. You can taste C and taste some new C cocktails at the Urban Shake Magazine Awards Banquet on April 21st, and at Urban Fetes Mix and Mingle event on April 19th. More detail for that to come. Be sure to follow up with my twitter and Facebook pages for times. So until then visit your local retailer to grab a bottle of this cognac, and support C. It is Mr. Mixologist approved!!! 

Until Next Time

Mr.Mixologist

Speed Rack Chicago

THIS SUNDAY!!!! Chicago's finest female bartenders will be on full display and competing for the illustrious title of  "Ms. Speed Rack Chicago".


Get your tickets here...... http://speedrackchicago.eventbrite.com/

Check out the AMAZING Lynn House talking Speed Rack...
http://www.wciu.com/youandme.php?section=home&assets=videos&assetID=10007749


Hope to see you there!!

Until Next Time
Mr.Mixologist

Mixing It Up Mondays

The second installment of Mixing it up Monday features a brand new cocktail that I created for Koloa Rum Company. I was hanging out in Binny's Beverage Depot and stumbled across a brand new Rum company to hit the shelves here in Chicago.. Bought a bottle and actually enjoyed the spirit. So a few weeks later via my twitter profile, the same company reached out to me to create a cocktail for the website. I jumped on the opportunity and here is what I came up with...

Apple Fritter
1.5oz Kaua'i White
1oz Lairds Apple Jack
.5 Spiced Simple Syrup
.5 Fresh Lime Juice
2 dashes homemade Apple Bitters
Garish with an Apple Slice or Cinnamon stick
Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass. Shake and strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon and the slice of an apple.

Below is the recipes for the simple syrup and the Apple bitters... Cheers and Happy Mixing. Be on the lookout for this recipe on Koloa Rum's website soon...

Until next time
Mr. Mixologist



\


Spiced Simple Syrup--
Equal parts sugar to water.(I use 2 to 1 myself) Add Allspice berries, whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, and anise pods.. Bring mixture to a boil, until sugar is dissolved and let steep for 5 minutes. Cool and bottle. Usually lasts a week while refrigerated.

Apple Bitters
(Recipe from the book- Bitters A Spirited History of the classic cure all by Brad Thomas Parsons) 

Peels from 6 medium to large (preferably organic) apples

Zest of half a lemon, cut into strips

2 Cinnamon sticks

.5 tsp Allspice berries

.25 tsp Coriander

.5 tsp Cassia chips

.5 tsp Cinchona bark

 4 Cloves

 2 cups High-proof bourbon

1 cup Water

2 tbsp Rich simple syrup (two parts sugar, one part water)

Place the apple peels, lemon zest, cinnamon, allspice, coriander, cassia, cinchona bark and cloves in a 1-quart Mason jar or other glass container with a lid. Add the bourbon, making sure all the ingredients are covered. (Add more bourbon if needed.) Seal, and store at room temperature out of direct sunlight for 2 weeks, shaking once a day. Strain the liquid through a cheesecloth-lined funnel into a clean 1-quart jar, squeezing the cheesecloth to release any excess liquid. Seal the jar and set aside.

Transfer the solids to a small saucepan and add the water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cover, reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool completely. Add the contents of the saucepan to another 1-quart Mason jar, seal and store at room temperature out of direct sunlight, for 1 week, shaking once a day. Strain through cheesecloth until all solids have been removed and add the liquid to the bourbon mixture. Add the rich simple syrup and shake to combine. Let stand for 3 days and strain through cheesecloth again to remove any debris. The bitters will last indefinitely, but for best flavor use within 1 year.

National Margarita Day!

Whether you like it Straight up, On the Rocks, or even frozen, the Margarita is a true classic.. This drink never gets old. Easy cocktail to make a home or at the bar. Quick, effective, and when handmade can be a very refreshing cocktail. Margaritas come in so many different colors and variations(I'll share one of mine in a moment) But i typically enjoy this recipe the best...

Margarita
2oz Reposado Tequila
1oz Lime Juice
.5oz Orange Liqueur(My preference is Cointreau)
2 Teaspoon Superfine Sugar
Garnish with a lime Wedge


Combine all the ingredients in a shaker and give a good hard shake. then strain into a chilled Margarita Glass or in a rocks glass over ice(your preference). The original Margarita cocktail calls for Blanco tequila, but my pallet likes alot of flavor in my cocktails so I chose to go with the Reposado Tequila in mine.

Now as I said earlier yo can make your margarita in a number of different ways. Typically if you substitute your lime juice, for whatever you favorite juice is, or cut your portions to balance between the lime and your favorite juice, you will have a great cocktail!

Now Ive been playing around with Tuaca. Tuaca is a Vanilla Citrus Liqueur with hints of Brandy, Orange and Vanilla. But the Vanilla is the dominant flavor. It really comes thru in cocktails that this is added too.. So here is a way to Spice up your margarita if you have a little bit of this on hand. My friends at the Baddish Group sent me a sample and their recipes, but this is what I came up with one my own..

As an ode to the neighborhood that my parents met.. Here is the "Bronzeville  Margarita"

Bronzeville  Margarita
2oz Tuaca
1oz Olmeca Altos Tequila(Blanco)
.5 Lime juice
.25 Spiced Simple Syrup
Muddled Raspberries

Muddle Raspberries, syrup, and lime juice. Add Tuaca and Tequila. Shake and Double strain into a ice filled rocks glass. Cinnamon the rim of the glass and garnish with 2 raspberries.

So with happy hour a few minutes away(Chicago Time) order yourself a Margarita and enjoy National Margarita Day!!

Until Next Time
Mr.Mixologist

Urban Fetes Group--> A change to Chicago Nightlife

So over the summer I was approached by a young lady about extending my bartending service to a group of people who were re-shaping events here in Chicago. Of course I thought about it and decided to give it a try. I was immediately surprised at the event, how successful it was and how much fun I had while working the bar.

Over time since that very 1st event, Ive been the go to bar service for each event, as they are getting bigger and bigger and more elaborate. The Urban Fetes group has changed the way events are held. From different types of venues, to great DJs, to using the BEST mobile bartending service in the city, DrinkxXx On Me( Shameless Plug). Every third Thursday of the month look forward to an amazing event!! This Thursday, Feb 23rd  is the latest edition of the Mix and Mingle tradition. Check out the press release straight from the founder, and friend of mine Shannon Waldron...

URBAN FETES GIVES CHICAGO NIGHTLIFE A FACE-LIFT
"New Promotion and Marketing Company, Urban Fetes, Offers Young Professionals Alternative Events with Substance and Style" 

For many young professionals in Chicago, nightlife has grown stale. People are over loud bars, expensive drinks, tired DJs, and crowded dance floors. Urban Fetes, one of the area's up-and-coming promotion and marketing companies, is shaking up the scene with fresh alternatives that combine substance, style, and socializing. Its signature event, the #MIXANDMINGLE occurs after work every third Thursday of the month and has gained remarkable acclaim since its inception just five months ago. 

Founder, Shannon Waldron, describes the aim of the #MIXANDMINGLE as two-fold: "We provide opportunities for accomplished and progressive adults to connect socially and professionally with like-minded individuals, while simultaneously giving enterprising businesses the chance to market their products and services to this exclusive crowd." Although the underlying premise of networking remains consistent, the layout of the #MIXANDMINGLE is as diverse as the crowd it attracts. The venue shifts between premier galleries around the city, such as ARTrevolution, Chicago Art Department, and Black Cloud Gallery. Similarly, Urban Fetes takes an unconventional approach to entertainment. Attendees can expect their admission to the #MIXANDMINGLE to include a variety of live performances, featured speakers, and fashion showcases, as well as an open bar and appetizers. For added value, Urban Fetes infuses purpose into this party by collecting canned goods at the door to be donated to the Greater Chicago Food depository.

February's #MIXANDMINGLE is guaranteed to keep pace with its impressive predecessors, offering a grand fashion show with some of Chicago's hottest designers and models, live jazz musicians, a DJ, catered hor d'oeuvres, and a bar hosted by Remy Martin V and Auchentoshan Scotch. On Thursday, February 23, 2012, bring your canned goods to Society Art Gallery (2140 W. Fulton Street (Suite D), Chicago, IL.), and enjoy the #MIXANDMINGLE experience from 8 pm - 12 am. 

Urban Fetes has also hosted spa days, Sunday brunches, and plans to expand to comedy shows, day parties, and other innovative affairs that will keep its following engaged and satisfied. Unlike many of its peer promotional companies, Urban Fetes is not just about throwing hot parties, but with each flawlessly executed event, the team intends to develop a culture and brand that reflects the distinctive lifestyles, interests, and needs of the young professionals it serves in the Chicago area. For a listing of upcoming events, visit the Urban Fetes website at www.urbanfetes.com. 

###

If you would like more information about this topic, or if you would like to schedule an interview with Mr. Shannon Waldron, please contact, Katrina Waldron at katrina@urbanfetes.com








So if you are a young energetic professional person who is looking for a change from the norm, these are the place to be EVERY third THURSDAY of the Month!! Im proud and happy to be one of the sponsors who make this event go, and will always be a part of changing the landscape of Chicago Nightlife..Here's a few pics from Previous Mix and Mingle events and the event plugger for THIS THURSDAY'S event!!

Founder Shannon Waldron

Myself Pouring the Remy Martin Punch at the last event!

Our Crowd..

Until Next time

Mr.Mixologist

Valentine's Day Cocktails

Its that time of the year again... That time where boyfriends and husbands are scrambling at the last minute to find gifts, flowers, candy, etc to keep that special lady in their life happy. That time of the year where you meet someone, and that little midget in a diaper shoots you in the ass with an arrow and you fall in love with that person you've been chasing, or who's been chasing you..

So I say why do all of this sober?? If you gonna fall in love and either make the best DECISION or worse MISTAKE you've ever made, why not do it with some very tasty cocktails??? So since I'm working a  Valentines day Karaoke party, I'll share with you all some of the tasty cocktails I will be serving..

Cupid Doesn't Lie
2 Parts Beefeater 24
1 Part Fresh Lemon Juice
¾ Part Simple Syrup
1 muddled Strawberry
4-6 Basil Leaves

Add lemon juice, basil and berry into mixing glass and lightly muddle. Add the remaining ingredients into mixing glass along with ice and shake vigorously. Fine-strain over the rocks into a double old-fashioned glass and top with a splash of soda. Garnish with lemon wheel and one strawberry slice.

Passionate



2 Parts Beefeater Gin
2 Parts Cherry Juice
2 Parts Ginger Beer




Pour Beefeater Gin and cranberry juice into a highball glass over ice. Top with ginger all and garnish with a squeeze of lime, or a cherry.






 
 
 
 

Sweet Tart


1 Part Plymouth Gin
2 Parts Cranberry Juice
¼ Part Honey
1 Pinch All-Spice

Fill glass with ice, pour in Plymouth Gin. Add the cranberry juice and stir. Float the honey and add a pinch of all-spice.









So everyone have a great Valentine's weekend, and hopefully these cocktails can give you a little something to sip on with that special someone. Oh and Mr.Mixx promotes safe sex, so be sure to Wrap it up!!!

Until Next Time
Mr.Mixologist

Encanto Pisco Opportunity

Hey everyone.. Short post today!! The good people over at Encanto Pisco are giving bartenders a chance to go to Peru and work with the Master Distiller as an apprentice. Check out the Video Featuring Duggan McDonnell who owns Encanto Pisco, and Dave Nepove our National USBG President.. Sounds like a great idea, a great opportunity for a lucky bartender! GET ON IT!!!

Mixing it up Mondays!

Alot of times when I work, people ask me how I come up with recipes. Or can they have my recipes so they can make my drinks at home. Usually its during the busiest time of the shift so I can't ever get right to it.. So since I'm back writing, on Monday's Ill post one of my recipes for a cocktail, whether it was something I was playing around with at home, or submitted it in a competition...

So the 1st one I can only lay claim to 50% of the brainstorming to come up with the recipe, but its a good one. Late last year Effen Vodka brought the Art of Design competition to the Hard Rock Hotel here in Chicago. It was an iron chef type of event, and we were randomly selected into pairs to come up with a cocktail and present it to the audience and judges. Note we only had about 30 mins tops to get everything together. I was paired with my main man Orlando( A Great bartender from the Underground Lounge here in Chicago) who we had never met before the event and we went to work. Funny part about the story was that we had a game plan, but all the ingredients that we wanted to use were taken before we could grab them. So we took mix and match approach and we created the WINNING cocktail called the "Abstract".

THE ABSTRACT

1.5oz Effen Black Cherry Vodka

1oz Red Pepper Infused Simple Syrup

.5 Thatchers Apple Ginger Liqueur

.5 Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur

Egg white

Garish with Thyme

Place all ingredients in a shaker. Shake Vigorously, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Place the Thyme right in the middle and enjoy. And then it should look a little something like this.......

 It sounds like it shouldn't go together, but when you taste it an array or flavors explode into your mouth. Hence the name the "Abstract" The premise of the competition was the Art of design, and well sometimes abstract art is the best type of art. Its what the artist saw and conveyed to you. Well this cocktail is what we saw, and we conveyed it to everyone at the event. Try it at home and let me know how it tuned out..

Until Next Time

Mr. Mixologist

2012 Shake It Up Competition

Competition Season is upon us. The winter and early spring months bring on a slew of Cocktail Competitions and the "Shake It Up 2012" competition at the NCB show in Vegas is a BIG one.  These competitions are a chance for bartenders to come together, show your creativity, and learn from some of our counterparts. The prizes aren't bad either.. Some are monetarily, alot of cool swag from the sponsoring companies, and just a chance to rub shakers with some of the industry best. I remember my very first competition. I was nervous as HELL!!! Found out that a couple of my judges were Andy Seymour, and Angus Winchester. Needless to say, I didn't win that comp, but the experience and the chance to have my cocktail critiqued by 2 of the BEST in the industry was an invaluable experience. So get your cocktail recipes in and hope we all make it to Vegas. The plugger below has the official rules....

See you in Vegas!! Get to Mixing it up!!!!

Until Next Time

Mr. Mixologist

Hot Happy Hour Cocktails

Happy New Year everyone! I have neglected my readers on here for way to long.. Expect alot of new posts, some reviews Ive been promising, event pics, and vids and all the new developments that ended 2011, and are continuing thru 2012 and beyond.

Now here in Chicago we have been having an unseasonably warm winter. It almost felt like spring for the last couple weeks. But the last couple days the bottom finally fell out!! Its COLD AS A MOTHER IN LAWS WORDS right about now. Snow, wind, ice, slush, we got hit with it all at the same time... What to do when its cold like this? The traditional Vodka/Cranberry, Rum/Coke, Margarita is not really in season. Why don't you warm up with some "Hot" Cocktails. There are many Hot cocktails that can be made with Tea, coffee, hot water, etc so here's 3 that are my personal favorites and some I'm sure you all will enjoy as well...

Irish Coffee 
Whiskey( Jameson is my preference)
Cream(Bailey's is my preference)
Coffee(Duh..lol)
Brown Sugar

Now there are many different variations of this cocktail, but I like the original which calls for Brown sugar instead of white. So the prep consists of pouring the Coffee in a mug. Add Whiskey, and a Tsp. of sugar and stirred until dissolved. Layer the cream on top, using the back of a bar spoon. It should sit right on top of the coffee and the drink should be sipped thru the cream. This can be a very tasty way to warm yourself up on a cold day!\









Hot Toddy
Whiskey
Hot Water
Sugar
Honey
Lemon

Who hasn't had one of these? This has been a tradition in my family to kill a cold for years.. Actually my 1st ever encounter with alcohol came in the form of my uncle giving me one of these when i was younger! Thanks Unc! It is a mixed cocktail where you take some boiling water, add a little whiskey( Old Grandad is my preference) Hot water, squeeze about an ounce of fresh lemon juice, and about half an ounce of Sugar and honey. Now Ive heard some people like to add a dash of cinnamon or garnish with a cinnamon stick, to add to the flavor.

And finally one of my NEW favorite hot cocktails and Today is the NATIONAL day for this cocktail, the Hot Buttered Rum.



Hot Buttered Rum
1 small slice soft butter
1 tsp brown sugar
Optional spices to taste: ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, allspice
Vanilla extract
2 oz Dark Rum
Hot water

All I can say is this is Deliciouslessness(yes I made that word up!) in a glass!! I like Rum, actually I love Rum! And if you've been out all day, on a cold Chicago winter day and you come in and whip one of these up, makes for a great evening. Muddle your butter,sugar,vanilla, and your choice of additional spices, Add your Rum, and hot water. Give it a good stir and enjoy!

So here are a few of my favorite hot cocktails, and hopefully during this cold Chicago Winter you'll be able to enjoy one from time to time. And if you ever catch me at the SL Sports Lounge working a shift and you want to warm up, feel free to ask for one. Ill make it just right for you :)

Until Next Time
Mr.Mixologist