{"id":9150,"date":"2018-06-18T18:43:05","date_gmt":"2018-06-19T01:43:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=9150"},"modified":"2018-06-18T15:50:38","modified_gmt":"2018-06-18T22:50:38","slug":"cocktail-corner-mixologists-compete-for-official-drink-of-santa-barbara-title","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=9150","title":{"rendered":"Cocktail Corner: Mixologists Compete for \u201cOfficial Drink of Santa Barbara\u201d Title"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Puesta

Puesta Del Sol cocktail by finalist Loquita, photo by Loquita, courtesy of Visit Santa Barbara.<\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! by\u00a0Leslie Dinaberg<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Last year\u2019s winner was \u201cGinspiration Point<\/a>\u201d by Alcazar Tapas Bar<\/a>\u2014a delicious homage to Inspiration Point, one of the most popular hiking trails in Santa Barbara\u2019s foothills. Who will win bragging rights in the\u00a0<\/span>Second Annual \u201cOfficial Drink of Santa Barbara\u201d Cocktail Contest?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Visit Santa Barbara<\/a> hosts this fun and lively competition on Thursday,\u00a0<\/span>June 21 at El Paseo Mexican Restaurant<\/a> (813 Anacapa St., Santa Barbara) from 5-8 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Biltmore

Biltmore Fuerte cocktail by finalist Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara, photo by Four Seasons, courtesy of Visit Santa Barbara.<\/p><\/div>\n

“We invite the public to sample the drinks of some of our region\u2019s most creative mixologists, root on their favorites, and raise a toast to our community\u2019s extraordinarily gifted food and drink professionals,\u201d says\u00a0Visit Santa Barbara President\/CEO Kathy Janega-Dykes<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Local restaurants and bars were once again invited to develop a new, unique signature mixed drink that celebrates the distinctive attributes of The American Riviera. The creation must include a spirit from Cutler\u2019s Artisan Spirits<\/span><\/a>, a locally owned small-scale craft distillery located in the Funk Zone. Contestants were encouraged to use at least one local ingredient and take inspiration from Santa Barbara\u2019s dramatic landscapes, architectural landmarks and culinary scene.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"The

The Drive Home cocktail by finalist Finch & Fork, photo by Finch & Fork, courtesy Visit Santa Barbara.<\/p><\/div>\n

The finalists were selected by the public. The winning cocktails include:\u00a0<\/span>\u201cBiltmore Fuerte\u201d by Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara<\/a>, \u201cThe Drive Home<\/a>\u201d by Finch & Fork<\/a>, \u201cRiviera Hermosa\u201d by Santo Mezcal<\/a>, \u201cPuesta del Sol\u201d by Loquita<\/a>, and \u201cThe American Riviera\u201d by Santa Barbara Brewing Company<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Riviera

Riviera Hermosa cocktail by finalist Santo Mezcal, Photo by Santo Mezcal, courtesy of Visit Santa Barbara.<\/p><\/div>\n

The live competition is emceed by Gabe Saglie<\/a>, television personality and senior editor for Travelzoo<\/a>. The cocktail judges include: food and wine author and columnist Michael Cervin<\/a>; writer and publisher of Unique Eat and Eateries of Santa Barbara<\/i> Geneva Ives<\/a>; senior editor for the Santa Barbara Independent<\/i>, Matt Kettmann<\/a>; and \u201c2017 Official Drink of Santa Barbara\u201d winner and owner of Alcazar Tapas Bar, Alvaro Rojas<\/a>. In addition, Santa Barbara Independent<\/i> contest winner Gina Andrews was also selected as a judge.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I got to be a judge last year and I can tell you, these guys are in for some tough decisions. I’ve already sampled both the Biltmore and Finch & Fork’s entries and they’re both excellent.<\/p>\n

\"The

The American Riviera cocktail by finalist Santa Barbara Brewing Company, photo by Santa Barbara Brewing Company, courtesy of Visit Santa Barbara.<\/p><\/div>\n

Tickets are on sale now. The cost is $25,\u00a0and includes two glasses of wine, appetizers and a sample of the five finalists\u2019 entries (while supplies last).\u00a0Casa Dumetz Wines and Margerum Wine Company will be pouring wine. Beer and cocktails are available for purchase at the bar. Click here<\/a> to purchase tickets and\u00a0for more information. Must be 21 and older to attend.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cheers!\u00a0 Click\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0for more Cocktail Corner columns.<\/p>\n

\"Leslie<\/p>\n

When she\u2019s not busy working as the editor of Santa Barbara SEASONS, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes<\/i>\u00a0mag<\/i>azine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie believes variety is the spice of life. Send your suggestions to Leslie@sbseasons.com.<\/i><\/p>\n

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons<\/em><\/a> on June 16, 2018.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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