Voting for the 2024 Tripleseat Sip-Sational Cocktail Contest Semi-Finalists
For the third annual Tripleseat Sip-Sational Cocktail Contest in 2024, we invited cocktail enthusiasts at restaurants, bars, hotels, and unique venues to submit their venue’s signature cocktail. To be considered the venue’s signature cocktail, the cocktail is special and stands out on the menu — from unique origin stories to best sellers. The submissions then went through an internal voting process with Tripleseat’s knowledgeable cocktail enthusiasts, and now, the future of the 10 semi-finalists lies in the hands of the public.
Vote for your favorite cocktail for the 2024 Tripleseat cocktail contest and encourage others to do the same one time per day until Thursday, April 11 at 11:59 pm PST. The three finalists will each receive a ticket to Tripleseat’s EventCamp, where their cocktails will take place in a final “Sip-Off” to determine one grand winner who will take home the grand $500 prize. As in previous years, the Sip-Off cocktails will be batched by the bar staff at the EventCamp venue, Big Night Live. The 3 finalists will build their cocktail and give a brief explanation about its origin and the venue on stage to the EventCamp audience. The Tripleseat team which are cocktail enthusiasts, will be available to provide support if needed.
Introducing the 10 Semi-finalists for the 2024 Tripleseat Cocktail Contest:
1. Georgia Peach
Created by: Ranilya Maddox
Submitted by: Ashley Moore
Company name: Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse- Atlanta
Location: Atlanta, GA
Ingredients:
1.5 oz Ketel One Botanical Peach Vodka
.5 oz Peach Puree
.25 oz St. Germain
2-3 oz Prosecco
Peach slice for garnish.
Method:
Build in a wine glass.
Stir.
Top with Prosecco.
Garnish with a peach slice.
What makes this your venue’s signature cocktail?
Our Georgia Peach cocktail was created specifically for our Atlanta location. As a Boston based restaurant, we wanted to have something true to this location to welcome our southern guests. Our guests love this refreshing cocktail on a HOTlanta day!
2. The Bathtub
Created by: Gregory Innocent
Submitted by: Logan Larroque
Company name: The Bassment
Location: Chicago, IL
Ingredients:
Sneaky Fox Vodka
Lemon
Cucumber
Jalapeño
St. Germain
Lemon foam
What makes this your venue’s signature cocktail?
The Bassment is Chicago’s premier live music cocktail lounge with a unique speakeasy twist, themed after the 1960’s British Invasion movement, when artists across the pond took the country by storm! The Bathtub harkens back to prohibition, when alcohol was illegal—where there’s a will, there’s a way, and people would secretly craft cocktails in their bathtubs! The Bathtub cocktail is served in a porcelain bathtub, garnished with a tangy jalapeño-cucumber foam, and topped with a rubber ducky!
3. Raspberry Peach Margarita
Created by: Cristen Gros
Submitted by: Cristen Gros
Company name: B&B Beverage Management
Location: Auburn, AL
Ingredients:
1.25oz Tequila
0.75oz Raspberry Puree
0.75oz Peach Puree
0.75oz Jalapeno Simple Syrup
2oz Lime Juice
Add Ice & Shake
Top with Celsius Raspberry Peach (Or Peach Vibes if you can’t find raspberry peach)
Pour Contents into Collins Glass
Garnish with Peach Slice
Jalapeño Syrup
Yields 2.5 quarts. Takes 24 hours.
Ingredients:
* 1QT Jalapeño Infused Water
* 2QT Sugar
* 5 Fresh Jalapeño
Directions:
* Cut 5 jalapeños into ~1/4” slices and place into quart container.
* Fill quart container with water and refrigerate for 24 hours.
* Dump contents into a pot and bring to a boil.
* Add 2 quarts of sugar and return to boil until sugar has melted down.
* Strain
What makes this your venue’s signature cocktail?
B&B Beverage Management, a now well-established professional brand and leading force in the beverage catering industry, started originally in 2008 with a couple of college town bartenders. Among the many quirks of bartenders, their affinity for energy drinks was unparalleled. Whether it was to power through a busy shift or to keep the party going well into the early hours of the morning, energy drinks were a staple behind the bar.
In 2019, B&B Beverage Management struck a partnership with Celsius, a renowned energy drink brand. The collaboration was set to be showcased at an extravagant event, promising to elevate both brands to new heights. As the event drew near, Celsius delivered an impressive shipment of their energy drinks to B&B’s warehouse – a staggering 50 pallets, far more than anticipated. With the event successfully concluded, there remained a surplus of Celsius that needed a home.
Rather than letting it go to waste, the bartenders-turned-entrepreneurs saw an opportunity. They introduced Celsius into their own offices, where the fast-paced environment demanded a boost of energy to keep up with the demands of the industry. Before long, Celsius became a staple beverage in the B&B offices, fueling creativity and productivity among the team.
But it didn’t stop there. Wherever the B&B logo appeared, whether it was at prestigious events like the Breeders Cup in Lexington, Kentucky, or the spirited tailgate camps at Auburn University, Celsius was there, and it is probably even being shotgunned by a few team members.
This group that you can find shotgunning call themselves “The Caffeine Crew” and they made it a tradition that no event day can start without a shotgun! So this, Peach Raspberry Margarita pays homage to our favorite company energy drink.
4. Besos Picosos
Created by: Abraham Flota
Submitted by: Eloy Garcia
Company name: Prospect Restaurant
Location: San Francisco, CA
Ingredients:
400 Conejos Mezcal
Pomegranate
Blood Orange Liqueur
Lime
Ancho Chile Syrup
What makes this your venue’s signature cocktail?
Since its introduction to our cocktail menu, it has consistently been our number-one seller. Everyone loves this cocktail! Our bar director, Abraham, wanted to create a cocktail highlighting mezcal that is balanced and refreshing.
5. The Shipwreck
Created by: Fred Vogel
Submitted by: Sarah Tudda
Company name: The Boathouse Restaurant
Location: Lake George, New York
Ingredients:
2 ounces of rum
Piña colada mix
Banana daiquiri mix
4 cups of crushed ice
Whipped cream
Chocolate syrup (optional)
What makes this your venue’s signature cocktail?
Legend has it that the Shipwreck cocktail was born in the midst of a grand nautical adventure embarked upon by our fearless founder, Fred Vogel. Picture it: a stormy night on Lake George, with waves crashing against the hull of The Boathouse Captain Fred sailed into uncharted mixology waters.
He wanted a name that not only conveyed the excitement of discovering something new but also the thrill of experiencing the unexpected – much like stumbling upon a hidden treasure in the heart of the Adirondacks.
The Shipwreck at The Boathouse on Lake George is not just a cocktail; it’s a symbol of summer vacations, lakeside memories, and the unique experience of the waterfront venue. What makes the Shipwreck our signature cocktail goes beyond its delightful blend of flavors – it embodies the essence of the Boathouse experience.
The story behind the Shipwreck dates back to the early days of The Boathouse when the owners sought to create a drink that would perfectly complement the refreshing atmosphere of Lake George. Inspired by the idea of crafting a beverage that would evoke the spirit of adventure, relaxation, and celebration, the bar team experimented with various ingredients until they discovered the perfect combination that would become the Shipwreck.
As the years passed, the Shipwreck has become more than just a drink; it has become a tradition for the patrons. Visitors eagerly anticipate their summer vacations, knowing that the moment they step into The Boathouse, they’ll be greeted by the familiar sight of our staff proudly wearing shirts that proclaim, “I got shipwrecked at the Boathouse!” They step right off their boats and run up to the outside bar in packs and order 10 at a time.
6. Feria De Las Flores
Created by: Sebastian Arango Builes
Submitted by: Trish Ellis
Company name: The Painted Burro- Harvard Square
Location: Cambridge, MA
Ingredients:
Butterfly pea-infused rum
Elderflower liqueur
Lavender
Topped with Prosecco
What makes this your venue’s signature cocktail?
To first understand this drink, you have to understand that we are a Mexican tequila restaurant that loves to exceed our guest’s expectations as it relates to traditional Mexican food and drinks! This cocktail was created by our very own Beverage Manager, Sebastian Arango Builes, who was inspired to create a specialty cocktail for the popular Mexican holiday Dia De Los Muertos, which translates as “Day of the Death.”
This holiday falls on November 1st, and according to tradition, the gates of heaven are opened at Midnight on October 31st, and the spirits of children can rejoin their families for 24 hours. The spirit of adults can do the same on November 2nd. Traditionally, on Dia De Los Muertos, flowers, favorite foods, and other offers are left at the gravesites of the deceased or even dedicated altars are built in family homes.
Flowers are a huge part of how people say goodbye to the dearly departed, so the invention of “Feria De Las Flores” — translated to “Flowers Parade” — was created. Sebastian said, “The idea was to create a cocktail that makes our guests feel warm and loved on any day, even if it is the day of the death!” He also said he wanted to incorporate rum instead of tequila as his grandfather, who raised him and passed away, occasionally enjoyed rum and wanted to pay homage to him, being that it was, in fact, “Dia De Los Muertos.”
Other than the fact that it is beautifully presented and delicious, we encourage our team to share this story when guests order this cocktail or are looking for a recommendation! The cocktail was only supposed to be a featured cocktail for 4 days to celebrate the days leading up to the day of the death, but it quickly became popular and earned its spot as one of our specialty cocktails!
7. The Beach
Created by: Joe Goff
Submitted by: Lauren Zimitsch
Company name: Utepils Brewing
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Ingredients:
5mg Key Lime Bandwagon
Simple Syrup with Orange and Chamoy
Lime Juice
Tamarind Straw Garnish
What makes this your venue’s signature cocktail?
Introducing “The Beach” – a refreshing cocktail crafted to enhance your dry January experience with our Bandwagon THC products, the Minne-sober way. Ideal for those seeking a non-alcoholic alternative, this beverage combines the subtle zing of our 5mg Key Lime Bandwagon THC (or a regular La Croix) with harmonious citrus and lightly spiced flavors.
We start with a base of 5mg Key Lime Bandwagon THC, ensuring relaxation without compromising on taste or adding unnecessary sugar. Infused with orange essence and chamoy in our crafted simple syrup, it delivers a burst of sweetness complemented by tanginess and lime juice to enhance the citrus profile. Completing this cocktail is a tamarind straw garnish, offering a delightful contrast of tartness and earthiness, perfectly balancing the cocktail’s sweetness.
“The Beach” caters to a diverse clientele, welcoming both beer enthusiasts and THC connoisseurs alike, as well as those seeking an intoxication-free option. Whether you’re canna-curious or a seasoned THC-pro, “The Beach” offers a unique experience tailored to your preferences so you can enjoy something fun any time you visit our Taproom. We wanted to create something unique for dry January but decided to keep this drink around all year to cater to our friends who are looking for an experience outside of our delicious beer. Cheers to great flavors, innovation, and the spirit of exploration (and more Minne-sober cocktails to come)!
8. A Dance with the Devil
Created by: Colten Murray
Submitted by: Colten Murray
Company name: LOA Social Club (of Slater Hospitality)
Location: West Midtown, Atlanta, GA
Ingredients:
2oz Siete Misterios Doba Yej Mezcal
1oz Lime Juice
1oz Fresh Turmeric Syrup
.25oz Chinola Passionfruit Liqueur
4 Dashes Habanero Tincture
Watermelon Ice Cube
Method:
Combine all ingredients and shake vigorously. Double strain over the watermelon ice cube and garnish with a dehydrated lime wheel and orange peel expression for aromatics.
What makes this your venue’s signature cocktail?
A Dance with the Devil perfectly embodies the name of our rooftop- LOA (Leave of Absence). We are located in the heart of West Midtown, Atlanta, but our rooftop is designed to immediately transport guests to their favorite travel destination. A Dance with the Devil is a combination of flavors (smoke & spice with juicy passionfruit) that I first experienced in Sayulita, Mexico- a small coastal fishing and surf town. As the watermelon ice cube melts in the Atlanta heat, the drink evolves and becomes even more refreshing. Drinking this cocktail next to our pool is a way for our guests to truly forget where they are for a moment and feel as if they are in that cozy little town.
Although our guests enjoy a variety of different beverages at LOA, one category reigns supreme: Agave. Mezcal is one of my personal favorite spirits, and this was the first cocktail that I designed for our menu. I wanted to create something that was approachable enough for the skeptics and serious enough for the aficionados. It has been our highest-selling cocktail since opening in 2022 and shows no signs of slowing down. As trends come and go and we adapt our menu to reflect seasonal changes, one thing remains unchanged: Our guest’s love affair with A Dance with the Devil.
9. La Naranja China
Created by: Stephanie Reading
Submitted by: Chanel Ducharme
Company name: Birdie G’s of Rustic Canyon Family Restaurants
Location: Santa Monica, CA
Ingredients:
4-6 candied kumquats pieces
3 quarters oz fresh lime juice
1 quarter oz kumquat ginger syrup
Muddle the ingredients above.
3 quarters oz Bitter Truth Golden Falernum
1 quarter Ancho Reyes ancho liqueur
1 oz Tequila Reposado
1 oz Mezcal
Lightly shake with Kold-Draft ice cubes.
Dump into glass.
Make sure kumquats fall out on top.
What makes this your venue’s signature cocktail?
Stephanie and her team candy and jar the kumquats by lightly cooking them in pure cane sugar and water to cut the bitterness. With the excess syrup from the candying process, we blend the syrup with freshly juiced ginger at a one-to-one ratio by weight to create kumquat ginger, which is then used in the cocktail. They can jar up to 100 pounds of kumquats at a time and hold them throughout the year.
La Naranja China is a prime example of how Stephanie continues to uphold the ethos of Birdie G’s sustainability and no-waste from our bar program throughout the entire restaurant. La Naranja China is our most loved cocktail from our guests and staff members and has the option to be spicy with our firewater!
10. Be My Valentina
Created by: Michael Pena
Submitted by: Randy Hayden
Company name: Slater Hospitality
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Ingredients:
2oz Siete Misterios Doba Yej Mezcal
1oz Lime Juice
1oz Simple Syrup
1/2oz Chareau Aloe Liquer
8 Cucumber Chunks
1 heavy bar spoon of Valentina Hot Sauce
1 pinch Salt.
Method:
Shake vigorously, double strain into an iced rocks glass, and garnish with fresh scallions.
What makes this your venue’s signature cocktail?
This cocktail represents Spring for us. We have a rooftop venue and sipping on this vibrant cocktail just takes you somewhere! We also lean culinary with our cocktails, and this is just that. Maybe best cocktail in America currently!?
Vote for your favorite cocktail!
Now that you have seen all of the Sip-Sational cocktail semi-finalists, it’s time to vote! Cast your vote up to once per day between now and Thursday, April 11 at 11:59 pm PST. Click here to vote!