A Pisco Sour Competition in the Name of History

The Macchu Pisco Sour Competition inspired a colorful and flavorful variety of pisco cocktails

Recently inducted as one of the 7 New Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu stands as a stunning, historical monument in Peru. Last week was the 100th anniversary of its rediscovery – meaning its introduction to the Western World when American historian Hiram Bingham discovered it. So naturally, Macchu Pisco LLC found it timely to team up with the Consulate of Peru in San Francisco to coordinate a celebration of this milestone, as well as the creation of pisco. Last week Macchu Pisco challenged bartenders in major cities across the U.S. to create their own version of the Pisco Sour (invented in Peru) to represent this historic landmark in presentation, relevance and especially taste.

Check out my CitySip coverage below from the Los Angeles competition, including the badass video montage of bartenders hard at work. And they worked especially hard, knowing there was a grand prize free trip to Lima, Peru to compete against the other city winners. Read on to see the winner and runner ups.

Macchu Pisco Sours Competition, Los Angeles

By Jessica Borges

Zach Patterson - STK, Black Market Liquor Bar

We, as human beings are always looking for reasons to throw a party. The 4^th of July has come and gone and Bastille Day is right around the corner but what else can we use for an excuse to celebrate in between those dreadfully long two weeks?

Fortunately, Macchu Pisco has come to the rescue. In celebration of the 100^th anniversary of the encounter of famed Peruvian monument Machu Picchu to the Western World, this pisco brand hosted a Macchu Pisco Sour competition spanning the United States. In search of the ultimate liquid incarnation of Machu Picchu to honor the history and reverence of this 7^th New Wonder of the World, Macchu Pisco challenged bartenders to create the ultimate representative cocktail. Competitions were held in D.C., Boston, New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles, culminating in Las Vegas on July 7, 2011.

Last week’s Los Angeles competition was held in the Beverly Hills SLS Hotel, hosting twelve LA bartenders, a judges’ panel and a small public audience.  Challenged to whip up unique versions of the Pisco Sour using Macchu Pisco, the bartenders were asked to consider not only taste and appearance of the cocktails, but also historical relevance and representation of this Peruvian monument and milestone. After all, a free trip to Lima, Peru to compete against winners in the other cities for the grand pisco sours competition was on the line. 

Read More About the LA Macchu Pisco Sour Competition

Fresh Springtime Sipping

So Fresh & So Clean

What are you doing tonight? Nothing? Good, ‘cuz now you’ve got plans. Head over to Drago Centro to check out the debut of their spectacular spring cocktail menu on the cheap. With drinks for just $8 tonight (normally $12 each) and a killer small bites bar menu, you can’t go wrong. Beverage Director Michael Shearin and Head Bartender/Mixologist Jaymee Mandeville gave me a sneak preview of the menu earlier this week, highlighting their light, refreshing spring-inspired collaborative concoctions.  Among some of my favorites: Green Flash (Sombra Mezcal, Marie Brizard Apry, Coconut Cream, Kiwi, Lime, Cilantro, Navan Infused Raisins) and Tomāto/Tomăto (Casa Noble Crystal Organic Tequila, Creole Shrub, Cherry Tomatoes, House Made Ancho Chili Tincture, Lemon). Check out my full review on CitySip.com. Here’s a preview below. Scroll to the bottom for tonight’s event details.

Drago Centro Launches New Spring Cocktail Menu

By Jessica Borges

As Mother Nature would have it, spring is upon us in full force – especially this week with a forecast of cool, cloudy dewiness, perfect for budding flowerbeds and sending Angelenos into hibernation until the sun resurfaces. But alas, there is motivation for you to get out of bed and experience the lighter, sunnier side of spring: Drago Centro is launching their new Spring Cocktail Menu and the offerings are pretty damn good. Beverage Director, Michael Shearin and Head Bartender, Jaymee Mandeville collaborated on the new menu and recently offered a sneak preview to Thirsty in LA’s Dan Djang and me. Check it out tonight, Wednesday May 18^th for a launch special, where signature drinks will be $8 (normally priced at $12 each).

American Graffiti

American Graffiti – Art in the Age Root, Rock Junmai Sake, Luxardo Morlacco, Bar Keep Baked Apple Bitters. This root beer liqueur and organic bitters blend nicely, making it a great go-to choice for the after dinner cocktail. All you need is some ice cream and you’ve got yourself an old-school root beer float-esk treat. Yum.

Bullet with Butterfly Wings – Named after the lead single on The Smashing Pumpkins 1995 double album, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, this cocktail is crafted to live up to its Number One Hit name. Well-balanced, Bullet with Butterfly Wings makes it easy to sip quickly, though taken in slowly you’ll enjoy subtle notes of spice paired with a sweet touch and a hint of fresh sage. Ingredients: Bulleit Rye, Cynar, Pineapple, Sage, Lemon.

Click here to read the rest of the article.

Where:  Drago Centro

The City National Bank Plaza

525 South Flower Street, Suite 120

Los Angeles, CA 90071

213.228.8998

When: Wednesday May 18, 2011 5:00 p.m. ’til close

What: Delicious $8 specialty cocktails featured in the new spring menu

Now, quit reading this and hoof it over there! And if you can’t make it tonight, the drinks are a must-try any other day or night while the menu is still in place.

Sip On This

For the routine bar hopper or the occasional cocktail sipper, the same old go-to drink can become quite lackluster. Next time you scoot up to the bar beside some attractive, money-making available bachelor/bachelorette you want to look smart, classy and actually enjoy the drink you’re about to order. Introducing a way to spruce up your next adult beverage: Combier Triple Sec. A recent Combier event at Harvard & Stone in Los Angeles with the Bon Vivants previewed some creative concoctions inspired by Combier’s product line. Check out my article below on CitySip.com about the event and delicious cocktails that are sure to jumpstart your Happy Hour a little earlier.

Triple Double

Combier Sweetens Up Harvard & Stone

By Jessica Borges

A team is only as strong as its weakest player, and a cocktail is only as great as its weakest ingredient. Right down to the triple sec, every detail factors into whether or not that cocktail is worthy of your palate. And we don’t doubt that you have a very sophisticated palate. Which is why Combier’s Original Liqueur d’Orange triple sec makes for an oh-so-enticing way to spruce up a cocktail.

Stirred, shaken and even blended into some of the Bon Vivant’s original recipes at LA bar Harvard & Stone, Combier’s products flaunted their fabulousness at a recent re-launch event open to the public. With years of family hands in the distillery, Combier’s history dates back to 1834 in the rolling hills of Saumur, France, in the heart of Loire Valley. True to the day it was born, Combier products continue to be distilled in old copper stills, the way that creator Jean-Baptiste Combier intended them to be. 

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Epic cocktails you should consume

Epic Roasthouse

While you’re nursing that massive St. Paddy’s Day hangover with bottomless cups of coffee and huddling in the fetal position behind cubicle walls, it’s only fitting I tempt you booze-loving specimens with a story about delicious adult beverages. Plus, it’s almost the weekend and you deserve it.

On a recent visit to San Francisco with one of my good friends and expert taste tester, we checked out bay-side hot spot, Epic Roasthouse. Perched along the Embarcadero with a fabulous view of the San Francisco Bay bridge, Epic’s bar menu showcased some uniquely spectacular cocktails. Check out my review of their new menu on theimbiber.net. If you’re in the SF area, be sure to check it out soon because these concoctions are only available for a limited time!

Here’s a taste to whet your appetite…

An Epic Roasthouse Cocktail Celebration

Written by  Jessica Borges

In an age where meat-covered Lady GaGas and pop stars with dollar signs in their names populate the world, it’s increasingly hard to stand out and rise above competition. In the cocktail arena, a bartender can don feathered hats and glittered jeggings but if the drinks don’t pack an equal or greater “wow” factor, they’re not making headlines.

To set themselves apart from the nightlife pack, Epic Roasthouse in San Francisco has gotten creative with their cocktails. Putting the power of menu design in the bartenders’ hands, each was challenged to create their own concoction. Judged by fellow bartenders, management and waitstaff, only the best made it to the new Epic Originals bar menu. And man, are they epic.

Click here to read more…

Epic Roasthouse

369 The Embarcadero

San Francisco, CA 94105

p: 415/369/0115