Tag Archives: Alliance Beverage

2nd Annual Arizona Bartenders Bourbon Battle

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The second annual Arizona Bartenders Bourbon Battle occurs on Monday, August 27 at BLT Steak Scottsdale at JW Marriott Camelback Inn.  Last year 15 bartenders representing 15 bourbons presented their best bourbon cocktail for a crowd of almost 200 people, who voted to crown the People’s Choice Best Bourbon Cocktail.  This year we anticipate an additional five more bourbons and bartenders for the event which “Kick’s Off” our month long celebration in September of National Bourbon Heritage Month.

Attendees of the competition will have the opportunity to sample and vote on the People’s Choice “Best Bourbon Cocktail” by making a donation to the Children’s Miracle Network Charities, $1 = 1 Vote with all proceeds from the voting going to the charity.  The Top Three Bartenders determined by our panel of judges will compete head to head, “Iron Chef” style to make their final bourbon cocktail to determine who is Arizona’s Top Bourbon Bartender for 2012.  For the final battle each finalist will have 15 minutes to make their cocktail from a ‘Mystery Basket’ containing three secret ingredients.  Creativity counts, which is why we award an additional prize for the Best Garnish of the event, to be eligible for this award each bartender is required to present their best edible garnish for the judges.

Last year’s battle proved to be a premier competition with each bartender showing off their creativity and professionalism proving that the Valley is an up and coming Cocktail Destination in the US.  With less than a month away, I am anxious to review their recipes knowing each of the bartenders are going to bring all they have to this year’s battle.  We hope to see you there!

Cheers!

Yelps First Cocktail Society at BLT Steak Scottsdale

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Lindsey Fosse is one of the most creative and energetic people I have met in Arizona, when she approached me to assist her with a series of events involving cocktails for Yelpers, I said “count us in”.  Working together, we created an event where Yelpers would be able to learn and taste through a few cocktails and included a hands-on seminar complete with Bacardi Muddlers for everyone to take home.  Our partners, the Sonoran Division of Alliance Beverage, led by VP Mike Threadgill were also on hand to talk about the spirits with a little bit of history as well as the taste profile for each of the brands used in the cocktails. 

Teaching is one of my favorite parts of the job especially when it involves an interactive element, for the first event I went in search of the freshest summer fruits and herbs.  I selected as our first cocktail the Southern Belle Julep, a summer peach interpretation of  a classic Mint Julep using Woodford Reserve Bourbon. This very ‘Special Selection’ I blended this past January in Kentucky with Master Distiller Chris Morris at the Woodford Reserve Distillery.  For the remaining two cocktails I selected our new Wildflower Sake Cocktail with TY KU Coconut, Cedilla Acai Liqueur and fresh strawberries and ended with a refreshing classic Citrus Caipirinha with Leblon Cachaca.  After demonstrating to the “class” muddle, build and shaking techniques, we set up the tables so each Yelper was able to make their own hand-crafted Bacardi Mojito using fresh fruit and citrus.  After all the muddling concluded and everyone was happily sipping on their cocktail creations we invited them to stay to experience an extended BLT Steak Happy Hour. Happy Hour Menu BLT Steak Scottsdale 

It is hard to tell who had the most fun, myself, the distributor team or the Yelpers themselves, but it is safe to say it was a great evening for all of us.  Wish you hadn’t missed out on this first event?  No fear we are planning a second event in late August in Rita’s Kitchen until then you can click the Phoenix Cocktail Society Logo above to read more from Yelpers themselves about their cocktail experience.

Cheers!