Fashion: Charleston’s Top Cocktails
A toast to the city’s most fashion-forward drinks and their maker
The Contest:
More than 30 local bartenders took the CFW and Ben Arnold Beverage Company challenge to create two drinks—one based on Grey Goose vodka, another on Gentleman Jack whiskey—to complement the five nights of fashion in Marion Square. After an online vote by fans and fashionistas at charlestonfashionweek.com, five contenders from each category moved on to the main event, a live competition at Club NV. While thirsty partygoers enjoyed sipping the drinks, our panel of judges sampled each, scoring them according to originality, taste, and presentation. Meet our winning mixologists in the Style Lounge, and try the 2012 Top Cocktails for yourself.
2012 Judges:
Brown Forman portfolio manager Orfilio Quintero
Bacardi USA business manager Patrick Martin
Charleston editor-in-chief Darcy Shankland
Food writer Brys Stephens
Taste the Winning Results!
Charleston’s Top Cocktail winners will be pouring their drinks during the Style Lounge pre-parties on:
Wednesday, March 21, 6-7 p.m.
Evan Powell, Gentlemen’s Bet
Thursday, March 22, 6-7 p.m.
Jasmine Beck, The Antipasto Cocktail
Grey Goose Winner
The Antipasto Cocktail:
- 4 basil leaves
- 1/4 oz. simple syrup
- 1/2 oz. lemon juice
- 1/4 oz. white balsamic vinegar
- 3/4 oz. olive juice
- 2 oz. roasted red pepper-infused Grey Goose vodka (recipe at charlestonmag.com)
- 3/4 oz. Lillet Rouge
- 6 dashes celery bitters, house-made or Bitter Truth brand
- Smoked sea salt & ground flower peppers
-
3 green olives, one of each stuffed with prosciutto, blue cheese, & tomatoes
Muddle first four ingredients in a shaker.
Add ice and next four ingredients.
Shake hard and strain into a martini glass with a smoked-salt and flower-pepper rim.
Garnish with stuffed olives.
Gentleman Jack Winner
Gentlemen’s Bet:
- 1 ½ oz. Gentleman Jack
- 1/2 oz. Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
- 1/2 oz. elderflower nectar (d’Arbo preferred)
- 2 wedges lemon
- Brandy-soaked French cherries (Les Parisiennes preferred)
- Orange twist
Combine liquid ingredients in a shaker over ice.
Squeeze in juice from lemons, shake vigorously, and strain into a rocks glass with ice.
Garnish with cherries and an orange twist.
For a long drink, strain into a highball over ice and add a splash of soda.
