Each Wednesday in May, hand-picked competitors will shake and stir head-to-head in two rounds of the Mixing Room’s cocktail competition each week. The first round of competition features Milagro Tequila, where competitors will present a cocktail to be judged by an esteemed panel of judges including cocktail experts and media personalities. The second round of competition features the top four competitors from round one and a spur-of-the-moment, Iron Chef-style challenge, where they will create cocktails that must utilize a mystery spirit from the William Grant & Sons portfolio. The two winners from each week will then advance to the final competition May 29, where eight finalists battle for the grand prize, a trip to Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans in July 2013.
There is no cost to attend and while you’re there, you can nosh on The Mixing Room’s bar snacks, and sip handcrafted cocktails created by William Grant & Sons’ brand ambassadors in addition to the winning cocktails from the previous week will be available for purchase.
The schedule is as follows:
May 1, 8 p.m.
Bartenders:
Amanda Gunderman, SLS (Beverly Hills)
Nick Vitulli, The Famous (Glendale)
Francois Vera, No Vacancy (Hollywood)
Brian Summers, ex-The Parish (DTLA)
Roberto Luna, Mas Malo/Malo (DTLA/Silver Lake)
Nathan Oliver, Harvard & Stone (Hollywood)
Kiowa Brown, Eveleigh (West Hollywood)
Mishka Bier, Wellesbourne (Santa Monica)
Judges:
Vincenzo Marienella, Copa de Oro (Santa Monica)
Raul Yrastorza, Las Perlas (DTLA)
Rachel Burkons, Tasting Panel magazine
May 8, 8-10 p.m.
· Round 1: Hendrick’s Gin – 8 competitors
· Round 2: Mystery Spirit – 4 competitors
*Top two competitors advance to finals on May 29, 2013
May 15, 8-10 p.m.
· Round 1: Reyka Vodka – 8 competitors
· Round 2: Mystery Spirit – 4 competitors
*Top two competitors advance to finals on May 29, 2013
May 22, 8-10 p.m.
· Round 1: Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum – 8 competitors
· Round 2: Mystery Spirit – 4 competitors
*Top two competitors advance to finals on May 29, 2013
May 29, 8-10 p.m.
· Round 1: Winning cocktails from the top two competitors from each of the four previous weeks – 8 competitors
· Round 2: Mystery Spirit – 4 competitors
JW Marriott Los Angles L.A. LIVE., 900 W. Olympic Blvd., downtown, 213.765.8600. lalivemarriott.com