There will be no registration fee associated with the contest.

Each participant’s entry must be received by email (Tex at this URL) no later than Midnight CST on November 24th, 2008. Entries received after this time will be disqualified. Five finalists will be selected, notified and announced by December 1.

If the finalist cannot be present to prepare the cocktail the evening of the competition, the cocktail cannot be prepared by a surrogate.

Recipes should contain at least two alcoholic ingredients: one must be utilized as a base spirit and one as a modifying spirit.

Base spirits, modifying spirits, fruits, and juices will be provided, unless it is an unusual item (such as a house-made syrup or obscure liqueur) in which case please provide your own.

All garnishes must be edible and prepared on site; fresh garnish ingredients specified in the finalists' recipes will be provided. Use of manufactured garnishes will not be allowed, except for straws and toothpicks, which will be provided.

Standard bar tools will be provided; Boston shakers, bars spoons, Hawthorn strainers, etc. Contestants may, at their request, use their own non-branded bar tools and their own fruit for garnishes (Only natural fruits may be used for garnish).

It is mandatory that you include at least one Texas-made spirit from the following list:
Paula's Texas Orange
Paula's Texas Lemon
Tito's Vodka
Treaty Oak Rum
Raylean Rum
Savvy Vodka
Dripping Springs Vodka

Maximum number of alcohol and non-alcohol components should not exceed six (6), including drops, rinses, and dashes.

Time for preliminary preparation in the service room should not exceed fifteen (15) minutes.

Each contestant will present five identical cocktails, one for each judge. Time for preparing the five cocktails in front of the judges should not exceed six (6) minutes from the start of preparation to service.

The winning recipe will be featured in the Spring 2009 issue of Edible Austin magazine.