August 1st, 2008

And the finalists are…

The folks at Hendrick’s Gin have chosen five finalists to compete in the Beantown Bartender Battle at Green Street this Tuesday night, August 5. Selected on the merits of the original, Hendrick’s-based cocktails they submitted, the contestants will be mixing those cocktails for a panel of judges that includes chef Barbara Lynch, Boston Globe writer Liza Weisstuch, bartender and cocktail historian John Myers of Portland, Maine, and Hendrick’s brand ambassador Charlotte Voisey. As they’re mixing, the only way they can present and describe their potion is by reciting a limerick that they penned themselves. Oh, this is gonna be good. The finalists are:

Justin Falcone, Boston-area freelance bartender
Jeff Grdinich, bartender at the White Mountain Cider Co. restaurant in Glen, NH
Claudia Mastrobuono, bartender at Highland Kitchen in Somerville
Chris O’Neil, bartender at Upstairs on the Square in Cambridge
Joy Richard, manager of Tremont 647 and Sister Sorel in Boston

From what I hear, there were a lot of kick-ass recipes submitted for this contest, so to those whose cocktails weren’t chosen: you’re in good company.

There’s still time to make reservations for this cocktail party-style event, whose $20 price gets you four Hendrick’s cocktails (separate from those competing in the Battle) and some light snacks. Call Green Street at 617-876-1655. A limited dinner menu will also be available for purchase. One of the featured cocktails is by Sierra Zimei, the winner of the San Francisco Bartender Battle:

The Secret Garden

2 1/2 oz Hendricks Gin
1/4 oz fresh lime juice
1 oz fresh grapefruit juice
1/2 oz cilantro infused simple syrup
4 slices of cut-up cucumber

Shake and strain ingredients into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with slice of cucumber.

Hope to see you there.

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6 Responses to “And the finalists are…”

  1. nobody’s darling « Susie Songbird
    August 6th, 2008 at 7:48 pm

    […] the birth of some new cocktails. Recipes for the latter will be presented as limericks by the five finalists. 280 Green St., Cambridge, 7 pm. […]

  2. rachel
    August 7th, 2008 at 2:40 am

    I’m so sorry I did not know about this. I would definitely cross the river for a good gin drink. I plan to spend the rest of August stalking the finalists and sampling their concoctions. Yum.

  3. Stephen
    August 7th, 2008 at 6:27 pm

    is there a round up for the finalists and their drinks? i got there after midnight and things had really slowed down. wish i didn’t have to work…

  4. Bourbon Belle
    August 7th, 2008 at 11:13 pm

    Hey Stephen,

    I’m planning on featuring Nobody’s Darling at Tremont 647 in the very near future. I’ll keep you posted, so you can swing by and give it a try! I also plan on hitting up Claudia at Highland Kitchen and Chris over at Upstairs on the Square to sample their fabulous entries!

    Check out lupecboston.blogspot.com for the recipe for Nobody’s Darling

  5. ljclark
    August 7th, 2008 at 11:44 pm

    Thanks, BB, and congrats on taking first place! And just so y’all know, I am awaiting all of the finalists’ recipes, which I will post as soon as I get them.

  6. the modern serf
    August 8th, 2008 at 2:57 am

    Captain Kidd Cup

    1.5 oz gin
    .5 oz pimento dram
    .5 oz Pimm’s
    .5 oz lemon juice
    top ginger beer
    garnish lemon wedge & cucumber spear

    plus an analysis of my performance at http://modernserf.com/index.php/site/comments/captain_kidd_cup/

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