The People's Cocktail Competition at Drago Centro

For four weeks straight, Drago Centro and Michael Shearin, Drago Centro's Sommelier and Beverage Director hosted The People's Cocktail, a weekly cocktail contest held over Twitter. Each Monday they would tweet out a secret ingredient and you have until Friday afternoon to tweet in your recipe. Over the weekend, Michael Shearin and head bartender Jaymee Mandeville worked on the submitted recipes and by Monday afternoon a winner was announced.



Last week, all four winners came together for a final battle for a spot on Drago Centro's summer cocktail list. I ain't gonna lie. I was terrified going up against guys with monikers like SazeracLA, Rumdood and LushAngeles. What did I get myself into???





So thankful my husband Dylan emailed our friends in the area to stop on by. There was a lot of waiting around but with good friends and a stiff Aviation, it was easy to relax and have fun.



My best friends, my husband Dylan and my brother Jeremy. They knew I was nervous but both of them were so encouraging. Love you guys!

Once all the judges arrived, it was time to make cocktails.



Week 1 Chuck Taggart
Secret Ingredient: Blueberries

• 2 oz. Woodford Reserve Bourbon
• 20 blueberries
• .5 ounce Amaro Ramazzotti
• 1 barspoon (tsp) Trader Tiki’s Cinnamon Syrup
• Lemon peel for garnish
  

In a mixing glass, muddle the blueberries thoroughly in the whiskey. Add the Amaro and syrup, ice and shake for 15 seconds. Double-strain over ice into a large Old Fashioned glass, and garnish with a large swath of lemon peel.

Week 2 Ron Dollete
Secret Ingredient: Fernet Branca

• 1 oz. Fernet-Branca
• 1 oz. Krogstad Aquavit
• 1 oz. Cointreau
• 2 dashes Angostura Bitters

Stir with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.




Week 3 Matt Robold
Secret Ingredient: Gin

• 2 oz. Bols Genever
• .5 oz. Scotch
• .25 oz. Simple Syrup
• 2 dashes Angostura Bitters.

Stir with ice for 30 seconds. Strain into a rocks glass over ice. Garnish with a lemon twist.





Week 4 Jeni Afuso
Secret Ingredient: Lemon

• 1/2 fresh peach
• 1 oz simple syrup
• 2 oz Rittenhouse 100 Rye
• 1 oz lemon juice
• Club soda

Muddle the peach with simple syrup. Add the rye and lemon juice. Shake with ice, strain into a tall glass over ice, and top with club soda.




When it was my turn to make my cocktail, all I was left with melted ice and some shaky knees. I don't know how I did it, but I threw out four Momo Rye Fizz's within minutes and even made several drinks for my friends who came.

After the judges, Caroline from Caroline on Crack, Lesley of The Tasting Table, Shauna of The Minty, and Chef Celestino Drago from Drago Centro had time to sip through all the cocktails, they announced Drago Centro's Peoples Cocktail Winner. It was a very close finish, but I was able to push past the big boys and win it with my Momo Rye Fizz. Hooraaaaay!



We spent the remainder of the night celebrating at Caña Rum Bar. Lots of party punch went down. It was truly a great night.

Thanks for reading!