Bärenjäger Honey Liqueur is proud to announce Kyle Ford of Manhattan as the winner of the brand’s Second Annual National Bartending Competition. Six of the nation’s finest bartenders competed in the competition, and were judged by Dushan Zaric of Employees Only and Macao, Dale DeGroff, David Wondrich, Todd Richman, corporate mixologist at Sidney Frank Importing Company Inc., and Aisha Sharpe of Contemporary Cocktails Inc.
Kyle Ford won an all-expense trip paid for two to Oktoberfest 2011 in Munich, Germany with his SS Europa cocktail, a perfectly balanced cocktail that according to the judges “highlighted Bärenjäger beautifully and created an instant classic.”
The audience, consisting of media and industry heavyweights, was also invited to “bee” judges and voted on their cocktail of choice. The audience favorite went to Erick Smith of Worcester, MA with the “Bad News Bear.”
Other finalists included Chad Arnholt of Boston, MA, Christopher Martino of Washington D.C., Colin Shearn of Philadelphia, PA, and Burton Daniel of Boulder, CO.
SS Europa
Created by Kyle Ford
Ingredients:
1 part Bärenjäger Honey Liqueur
2 parts Noilly Prat Dry Vermouth
3 dashes St. George Absinthe
Method:
Stir and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange twist.
Bad News Bear
Created by Erick Smith
Ingredients:
1 part Bärenjäger
1.5 parts Bols Genever
.5 parts Benedictine
.75 parts Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
2 Dashes Fee Brothers Whiskey Barrel-aged Bitters
Method:
Add all ingredients into a shaker, add ice and shake. Strain into a pre-chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon wheel.
