Devour Downtown Summerfest 2013 Signature Cocktail Winners & Recipes

Morning Glory by Palomino

The Signature Drink Competition 2013 Summerfest has been shaken, stirred and judged for the Devour Downtown event. Bartenders and mixologists muddled, garnished and poured their own secret recipes for the judging panel. I was honored to be invited to once again be one of the judges for this fun competition. The competition was held at The Conrad, Indianapolis.

Three category winners and one Best of Show were named.

Indianapolis' biannual event continues its tradition of offering menus at a reduced cost from downtown-area restaurants. The eating fest, which takes place each winter and summer, has become a mecca for foodies ~ many who attempt to hit each eatery. The 2013 Summerfest runs from Aug. 19 -Supt. 1, and includes almost 50 eateries in the downtown area.

For a prix fixe menu, guests can dine on specially selected three-course meals. Devour Downtown, originating in 2005, is hosted by the Indianapolis Downtown Restaurant & Lodging Association and sponsored by Republic National Distributing Company. For full list of restaurants and menus, visit DevourDowntown.org. Information is also available on Facebook or Twitter @DevourDowntown.

Accompanying the cuisine are the winners of the Signature Drinks competition. I am always pleased to be invited to be one of the judges of this distinguished competition. It brings out the best mixologists in Indianapolis for cash prizes and bragging rights.

The three categories' liquors, Bacardi Sauza and Grey Goose, are required as the main ingredient in the new recipe, created specifically for the Devour Downtown event.

Winners ~ 2013

Sauza

and

Best of Show

Drink: Morning Glory (See above for image)

Mixologist: Curtis McGaha

Restaurant/Bar: Palomino

Recipe: Ingredients-2 oz Sauza Reposado, 3/4 oz. lemon juice, 1 oz. Lillet White, orange peel, and Thyme garnish. Directions-Mix all ingredients in mixing tin and shake vigorously. Strain into old-fashioned glass over ice. Garnish with thyme.

Bacardi

Drink: Blackberry Mojini

Mixologist: Sara Yager

Restaurant/Bar: Chef Joseph's at the Connoisseur Room

Recipe: Ingredients-Five fresh blackberries, 5 sage leaves, 1 TB mint bitters, 4 tsp sugar, 1 TB fresh lime juice, 1 lime wedge, 2 oz. Bacardi Superior rum, 2 oz Bacardi Oakhart Spiced rum. Directions-Prepare a simple syrup of muddled blackberries, sage leaves, sugar, lime juice, mint bitters and water. Cool, shake vigorously over ice, syrup, and rums. Pour into martini glass and garnish with blackberry, sage leaf and lime wedge.

Grey Goose

Drink: Crystal Peach Cosmo

Mixologist: Corie Metzler

Restaurant/Bar: Tavern on South

Recipe: Ingredients-1.5 oz Grey Goose Vodka, 1 oz Luxardo Triple Sec, 1.5 oz White Craanberry Juice, .5 oz clarified lime juice, 2 white peach slices, orange peel slice for garnish. Directions-Muddle fresh white peaches, add remaining ingredients, shake, strain into martini glass and garnish.

For remaining finalists, drinks and recipes, click here.

Images: E.J.Musgrave

For sponsor information, visit Republic National Distributing Company

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel columnist, freelance writer and photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic for Gotta Go. Read Infused, her spirits, wine & beer lifestyle column, at www.GottaGo.us and www.FoodDigital.com and catch her as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC. Gotta Go is published on www.Gottago.us, www.BroadwayWorld.com, an in print. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel columnist, freelance writer and photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic for Gotta Go. Read Infused, her spirits, wine & beer lifestyle column, at www.GottaGo.us and www.FoodDigital.com and catch her as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC. Gotta Go is published on www.Gottago.us, www.BroadwayWorld.com, an in print. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Infused: Book Review Big Shots: The Men Behind the Booze by A. J. Baime

When reviewing books, I seek ones that are out of the ordinary (no surprise to my readers) and ones that are helpful in learning more about a subject. They should also be enjoyable because no one is going to force themselves to read a dry, boring book. If I were to select a boring, non enjoyable book, well … let’s just say readers would be unhappy, and they would send me angry comments. Fortunately I find books covering all three requirements, including this one.

With the growing passion for education of spirits, wines and beers, Big Shots: The Men Behind the Booze by A. J. Baime will come in handy for numerous reasons ~ including good, old-fashioned humor. Based on a lifetime of a writer's boozy lifestyle, the ... ahem ... research has turned up various behind-the-scenes looks into the colorful world of alcohol.

Filled with tidbits, Baime describes the history of how our favorite adult beverages come about. Stories include how Bailey's Irish Cream really got its name, where the "secret family recipe" of Jack Daniel's actually came from and what connection A-1 steak sauce has to Smirnoff vodka.

If you were not aware of Captain Morgan’s scandalous past, he was not quite the lovable character portrayed on the commercials or bottle. A thief, rapist and, by many, considered the original pirate and worst of all ever in the piracy world, Morgan didn’t make rum, but did drink himself to death with the stuff.

Tawdry stories of illicit pasts are not the only parts of this book. Baime also educates with detailed instructions on differentiating tequila from mescal and the origin of rum and more. Pure humorous anecdotes are his own escapades in Mexico and elsewhere as a man who truly believes in “method” writing.

Bottom Line: For a frolicking literary romp through closets filled with the skeletons of the spirits world, Big Shots by A.J. Baime is delicious neat or on the rocks.

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel columnist, freelance writer, and performing arts and restaurant critic for Gotta Go. Read Infused, at GottaGo.us and FoodandDrinkDigital.com and catch her as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC. Gotta Go is published on Gottago.us, BroadwayWorld.com, in magazines and several Indianapolis area newspapers. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.