
CALLING
ALL AT-HOME MIXOLOGISTS!
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The first ever Sherry Mixology Challenge was looking for the best Sherry cocktail! Top prizes included $3,000, $1,500 and $500!
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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.
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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.
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THE WINNING COCKTAIL
OTOÑO FIZZ
From Jen LaForge
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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)
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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.
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PRIZES
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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"
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2018 - Jarred Weigand, Death & Co, in New York, NY – “Strange Encounters”
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2017 - Sam Johnson, Leyenda, Brooklyn, NY - "Calypso Cobbler
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2016 - Nathan O’Neill, NoMad in New York, NY - “On the Vine”
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2015 - Pietro Collina, NoMad in New York, NY - “Broken Spanish”
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2014 - Lacy Hawkins, Clover Club in Brooklyn, NY - “The Pyrenees”
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2013 - Eric Simpkins, The Lawrence, Atlanta, GA — “Ciclope”
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2011 - Brendan Dorr, B&O American Brasserie, Baltimore – “The Cadizian”
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2009 - Charles Joly, Drawing Room, Chicago – “Bread and Wine”
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2008 - Neyah White, NOPA, San Francisco — “Sherry Shrub”
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2007 - Giuseppe Gonzalez, Flatiron Lounge, New York, NY — “Madroño (Strawberry Bush) Cobbler”
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2005 - Jacques Bezuidenhout, Tres Agaves, San Francisco — “La Perla”
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Not pictured:
2012 - Dan Nicolaescu, Mayahuel in New York, NY – “After Dark”