On Monday night Tipsy and I participated in the Flor de Caña rum cocktail contest. Tipsy came up with a fabulous cocktail that for reasons unknown to us did not make it to the final round. My cocktail did, along with four others.
The contest rules stipulated that contestants must make a cocktail using Flor de Caña 18yr. Because it is such a complex spirit I decided to stick with something simple. My first cocktail was a rum Sazerac, but I decided not to submit that one because I knew that the judging format of the contest allowed everybody present to vote, and I knew that a drink with Herbsaint in it would not be a crowd-pleaser. Instead, I turned to the Margarita. Substituting 18yr rum for the tequila, the result was delicious, the golden honey color stunning.
Matagalpa Cocktail
1 ½ oz Flor de Caña 18yr
¾ oz Cointreau
½ oz fresh lime juice
½ simple syrup
Combine ingredients in an ice-filled cocktail shaker and shake vigorously; strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
I have to say that I was impressed with the quality of the cocktails at the event. I have attended a handful of contests where I was not so pleased. I had never competed in a contest until Monday so it was very exciting to win. The grand prize is a trip to Nicaragua to visit the Flor de Caña distillery. We take off some time next spring.
Comments (6)
Congratulations!
Posted by Tim Walker | October 16, 2008 7:12 AM
Posted on October 16, 2008 07:12
Congrats on the win! Sounds fabulous.
Posted by Cat Caroom | October 16, 2008 10:41 AM
Posted on October 16, 2008 10:41
Tex, I'm really proud of you. This was an odd competition with the audience doing the judging. FdC was looking for consumer friendly to pull more 18 year old through the system, and you gave them a well balanced cocktail to help achieve that. Wonderful job!!
Posted by Tipsy | October 16, 2008 1:22 PM
Posted on October 16, 2008 13:22
Congratulations.
And if you don't mind me asking: what's the measurement on the simple syrup?
Posted by Stevi Deter | October 16, 2008 1:35 PM
Posted on October 16, 2008 13:35
Love the photo. Is the glass frosted or just cold?
Posted by Rick | October 16, 2008 2:53 PM
Posted on October 16, 2008 14:53
Tim--Thanks for the support! Some day we'll get together for that cocktail I promised you, and I'll make one of these.
Cat--Thanks! I saw Paula today. We all need to get together for a cocktail soon.
Tipsy--Meow!
Stevi--thanks! I used 1/2 oz simple syrup. Sorry for my typo.
FYI The contest wouldn't allow us to bring anything in, it all had to be stock stuff. We couldn't bring in any ingredients or equipment, because the parameters for the contest stipulated that it be a consumer- and bar-friendly drink.
Rick--I know that as a penguin you prefer things on the frostier side, but this Versace-fabulous glass was just chilled in the conventional fashion :-)
Posted by Tex | October 17, 2008 12:21 AM
Posted on October 17, 2008 00:21