Miami-based Megan Bardoe wins Bärenjäger Honey Liqueur’s Fifth Annual National Bartender Competition.
Bärenjäger Honey Liqueur proudly announces Megan Bardoe as “America’s Best Bartender.” After winning over the honey council of five esteemed industry experts, Bardoe was named the grand prize winner of an all-expense paid trip for two to BEARlin Germany and $1,000 for her masterful Black Gold.
The live competition took place at Flatiron hall where over 300 guests decked out in Lederhosen and enjoyed Bavarian Pretzels, Live Entertainment from The Autobahnanza, and Bärenjäger honey cocktails while watching six competitors shake and stir their way to the top.
The judging panel consisted of Andrew Knowlton, Restaurant & Drinks Editor Bon Appétit Magazine; Gary Regan, Author of The Joy of Mixology and host of www.gazregan.com; Leo Robitschek, Bar Director at Made Nice: Eleven Madison Park and The NoMad Hotel; Sean Kenyon, Tales of the Cocktail 2014 American Bartender of the Year, 3rd generation Barman from Denver and proprietor of Williams & Graham in Denver, and celebrity guest judge from Iron Chef, Food Network “celebrity” chef and world-renowned Executive Chef at New York City’s Butter restaurant, Alex Guarnaschelli.
Black Gold by Megan Bardoe, Miami, FL
1 part Bärenjäger Honey Liqueur
2 parts Michter’s Rye Whiskey
.25 parts Suze Saveur d’autrefois
3 dashes Fee Brothers Whiskey Barrel-Aged Bitters
Garnish: Filthy Food Black Cherry
In a mixing glass, add all ingredients except the cherry garnish with ice and stir. Strain into chilled coupe. Garnish one Filthy Food Black Cherry in bottom of the glass.
Invited to “Bee the judge,” the audience selected Michael Powers from Tulsa, Oklahoma as the crowd favorite, and he was rewarded with $1000 for his Sorcerer cocktail.
The Sorcerer by Michael Powers, Tulsa, OK
.75 parts Bärenjäger Honey Liqueur
1.5 parts Johnny Walker Black
.75 parts Aperol
.75 parts Sour
4 dashes Dashfire Vintage Orange No. 1 Bitters
Garnish: Lime horseneck peel
Shake and double strain into a chilled Nick and Nora glass. Finish with an expressed lime horse neck peel.
Bärenjäger’s Annual National Bartending Competition challenges professional and amateur mixologists from across the country to come up with innovative and original cocktail creations incorporating Bärenjäger Honey Liqueur, Bärenjäger Honey & Bourbon, Bärenjäger Honey & Pear or Bärenjäger Honey & Tea.
