{"id":7844,"date":"2017-03-14T18:57:26","date_gmt":"2017-03-15T01:57:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=7844"},"modified":"2017-03-14T09:59:26","modified_gmt":"2017-03-14T16:59:26","slug":"local-lowdown-alcazar-wins-official-drink-of-sb-bragging-rights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=7844","title":{"rendered":"Local Lowdown: Alcazar Wins Official Drink of SB Bragging Rights"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The competition heats up as the eventual winners from Alcazar Tapas Bar prepare their entry for 2017 Official Drink of Santa Barbara craft cocktail contest. Photo by Danielle Methmann<\/p><\/div>\n

It was a heated contest<\/span>, but Alcazar Tapas Bar<\/a>\u2019s Ginspiration Point came out the big winner in the 2017 \u201cOfficial Drink of Santa Barbara\u201d craft cocktail contest.<\/p>\n

An homage to Inspiration Point<\/a>, one of the most famous\u2014and famously beautiful\u2014hiking trails in Santa Barbara\u2019s foothills, this refreshing, citrus-forward cocktail features locally sourced ingredients\u2014from the base spirit, Cutler\u2019s Artisan Spirits Gin<\/a>, to Nostrum\u2019s Pineapple Turmeric Ginger Shrub\u2014along with B\u00e9n\u00e9dictine, Chartreuse, and fresh produce and herbs sourced from Santa Barbara farmers markets: lime, mint, rosemary flowers and egg white.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe feel incredibly fortunate to be carrying the torch for Santa Barbara\u2019s cocktail community among some truly gifted barkeeps,\u201d says Alvaro Rojas, owner of Alcazar Tapas Bar, who was joined by bartender Kyle Pete at the competition. \u201cThis cocktail is really an homage to the local makers and growers that have made Santa Barbara not only a beautiful place to live but also a world-class pantry of ingredients.\u201d<\/p>\n

The cocktail will be on the menus at both Alcazar (1812 Cliff Dr.) and its sister restaurant, milk & honey<\/a> (30 W. Anapamu St.), for the remainder of the year.<\/p>\n

Visit Santa Barbara<\/a> challenged local restaurants, bars and lounges to develop a new, unique signature mixed drink to celebrate the distinctive attributes of The American Riviera. The other four finalists were \u201cLa Reina\u201d by The Boathouse<\/a>; \u201cMontecito\u201d by Loquita<\/a>; \u201cTrue North, The Quintessential Santa Barbara Cocktail\u201d by Olio e Limone<\/a>; and \u201cThe Passion of the Pacific\u201d by Rodney\u2019s Grill at Fess Parker: A Doubletree by Hilton Resort<\/a>.<\/p>\n

I was honored to be part of the judging panel, and they were all quite delicious.<\/p>\n

\u2014Leslie Dinaberg<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Originally published in the Spring 2017 issue of Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n

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