Announcing Tripleseat 5 Sip-Sational Cocktail Contest Finalists for 2022
After over two weeks of voting by cocktail fans across the country, the five finalists of Tripleseat’s Sip-Sational Cocktail Contest have been decided.
These five finalists are receiving a free ticket to Tripleseat’s EventCamp on Tuesday, Sept. 13 in Boston, where the five cocktails will be prepared by on-site bartenders in order to participate in the final “Sip-Off” to determine one grand winner. EventCamp attendees will sip each cocktail and vote on one favorite. We want to acknowledge a job well done by all 12 semi-finalists and a big congratulations to the five finalists!
Now, to introduce the five finalists:
1. When Ginger Snapped – 870 votes
Created by: Dimitri Lewis
Submitted by: Jackie Carlton
Company: Smashing Grapes Kitchen & Wine Bar
Location: Gambrills, Md.
Recipe:
1.5 ounces Captain Morgan rum
.5 ounce Domaine De Canton ginger liqueur
.25 ounce half and half
.5 ounce vanilla ice cream
.5 ounce simple syrup
1 egg white liquid
Combine all ingredients and serve.
2. Christmas in the Andes – 740 votes
Created by: John Marsh
Company: Ellen’s
Location: Dallas
Recipe:
8 eggs, separated
3/4 cup sugar
1 quart whole milk (preferably organic)
1 pint heavy cream
8 ounces Claude Chatelier VS cognac
6 ounces Tempus Fugit creme de menthe
4 ounces Tempus Fugit creme de cacao
Callebaut semisweet chocolate block
In a large bowl, beat the egg yolks and sugar until thickened and the color has lightened. Stir in the milk, cream, Cognac, Creme de Menthe, and Creme de Cacao.
In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Fold about a quarter of the egg whites into the other bowl’s contents.
Serve in a coupe. Top with more of the egg whites, if desired. Grate the Callebaut chocolate over the finished drink.
About the Cocktail:
“Over the holidays last year, one of my colleagues, Buster, challenged me to a ‘Nog-Off.’ She and I each made batches of our eggnog recipes to taste and judge. When I heard about Tripleseat’s Sip-Sational Cocktail Challenge, I knew I had another opportunity to kick her ass,” Marsh said.
“I usually use bourbon and aged rum in my eggnog, but for this, I wanted to do something unique. One of the things I associate with Christmas is candy canes. I wanted to do something with peppermint to reflect that association. The flavors of the peppermint eggnog I came up with reminded us of Andes mints, so we decided to reflect that in the name, but subtly. Eggnog is a holiday go-to, but we hope this take on an old favorite reminds you that traditions can be dusted off and freshened up. Buster, who loves to judge, agrees that this is a winner.”
3. The Sugar Plum Fairy – 660 votes
Created by: Rachel Markoja
Company: Hopmonk Tavern
Location: Novato, Calif.
Recipe:
2 ounces Woodford Reserve bourbon
1 ounce spiced plum syrup
.75 ounce fresh lemon
1 egg white
Add ingredients to cocktail tin and dry shake (without ice) vigorously. Add ice and shake again. Double strain into coupe glass. Garnish with snow-dusted rosemary, edible flower, and star anise. Sprinkle with fairy dust (edible glitter).
About the Cocktail:
“My cocktail is based on my love for ‘The Nutcracker.’ My Nana and I had a tradition of seeing the play every year around the holidays. Whenever I think of winter and the giving season, I think of the Nutcracker and the fond, loving memories I have of the story,” Markoja said. “I named the drink after my favorite character, the Sugar Plum Fairy. My Nana passed away 2 years ago, and now that I am a mom, I have started the tradition with my son. This cocktail is very special to me, and I hope you love it as much as I do!”
4. Scoma’s Vintage Eggnog – 629 votes
Created by: Scoma’s Restaurant
Submitted by: Melissa Amato
Company: Scoma’s Restaurant
Location: San Francisco
Recipe:
Rum
Cognac
Sherry
Creme anglaise
Vanilla
Cinnamon
Clove
Nutmeg
About the Cocktail:
“Made with rum, cognac, sherry, creme anglaise, vanilla, cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg, Scoma’s Vintage Eggnog is aged for a year with a flavor that can’t be beat. This San Francisco favorite sells out every year and is a favorite of locals and visitors alike,” Amato said
5. MC’S Elegant Eggnog – 412 votes
Created by: Wesley James
Company: Casati’s
Location: Chicago
Recipe:
1.25 ounce spiced simple syrup (see recipe below)
1.5 ounce E & J VS brandy
1 ounce Watershed Barel Aged Nocino bourbon
.5 ounce heavy cream
1 egg
Combine ingredients in a shaker tin. Dry shake, then add ice and shake for 10 seconds. Double strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon and a star anise.
Spiced Simple Syrup Recipe:
1 star anise
5 cloves
2 cinnamon sticks
1 cup hot water
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
Combine ingredients except for vanilla. Let sit for two hours. Strain. Add sugar equal to weight of spiced infused water and add vanilla extract.
About the Cocktail:
“I have always made eggnog every year and was inspired to make an upscale version of that. So this is in honor of my grandmother. MC is my grandmother, which is where the name came from,” James said.
Taste the cocktails yourself at EventCamp
The grand prize winner of Tripleseat’s Sip-Sational Cocktail Contest will be determined by votes submitted during a Sip-Off reception on Tuesday, Sept. 13, in Boston at EventCamp, the best conference for hospitality and sales managers to share ideas, experiences, and best practices. Get your EventCamp ticket today so that you can be part of the fun!