CALLING
ALL AT-HOME MIXOLOGISTS!
The first ever Sherry Mixology Challenge was looking for the best Sherry cocktail! Top prizes included $3,000, $1,500 and $500!
Sherry is a versatile cocktail ingredient, and the hunt for the next best Sherry cocktail made by America’s best at home bartenders has concluded.
Three expert judges, esteemed mixologist Shannon Mustipher, sherry educator Chantal Tseng and VinePair founder Adam Teeter, scored the cocktails based on a number of factors including creativity, flavor balance and their use and knowledge of their chosen sherry.
Jen’s Otoño Fizz was a standout amongst the competition, utilizing Fino Sherry, Dussé VSOP, carrot cordial, lemon, Aquafaba and soda for an unforgettable and savory take on a fizz.
THE WINNING COCKTAIL
OTOÑO FIZZ
From Jen LaForge
INGREDIENTS:
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1 ounce Lustau Fino Sherry
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1 ounce Dussè VSOP
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2 ounces Carrot cordial*
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½ ounce lemon
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1 ounce aquafaba
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1 ounce soda water
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Ice: 2 cubes to fill
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Garnish: Trimmed Lemon Swath & Fennel sprig (use small clip on glass)
INSTRUCTIONS:
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In a small shaker tin build all ingredients except soda water.
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Add cubed ice and hard shake for 12-15 seconds.
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Single strain cocktail into small tin.
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Throw cocktail between two tins 4-6 times in order to further aerate mixture and add texture (can choose to dry shake instead).
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In a chilled Collins glass pour the measured ounce of soda water.
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Tea-strain cocktail into glass.
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Top cocktail with 2 pieces of cubed ice to bring wash-line to top of glass.
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Garnish with a trimmed and clipped lemon swath and sprig of fennel.
FINALISTS' COCKTAILS
JUDGING & DEADLINE
Entries are now closed. The deadline for entry was October 16th, 2020.
Cocktails were judged on creativity, flavor balance and use of sherry in an innovative way.
PRIZES
Grand Prize
$3,000 CASH
Second Place Prize
$1,500 CASH
Third Place Prize
$500 CASH
Semi-Finalist Prize
$250 VINEPAIR STORE GIFT CARD
Inspiration from the pros:
2019 - Leishla Maldonado, Courtland Club, in Providence, RI – "Forraje"
2018 - Jarred Weigand, Death & Co, in New York, NY – “Strange Encounters”
2017 - Sam Johnson, Leyenda, Brooklyn, NY - "Calypso Cobbler
2016 - Nathan O’Neill, NoMad in New York, NY - “On the Vine”
2015 - Pietro Collina, NoMad in New York, NY - “Broken Spanish”
2014 - Lacy Hawkins, Clover Club in Brooklyn, NY - “The Pyrenees”
2013 - Eric Simpkins, The Lawrence, Atlanta, GA — “Ciclope”
2011 - Brendan Dorr, B&O American Brasserie, Baltimore – “The Cadizian”
2009 - Charles Joly, Drawing Room, Chicago – “Bread and Wine”
2008 - Neyah White, NOPA, San Francisco — “Sherry Shrub”
2007 - Giuseppe Gonzalez, Flatiron Lounge, New York, NY — “Madroño (Strawberry Bush) Cobbler”
2005 - Jacques Bezuidenhout, Tres Agaves, San Francisco — “La Perla”
Not pictured:
2012 - Dan Nicolaescu, Mayahuel in New York, NY – “After Dark”