Grand Prize winner Chelsea Santos takes home $5,000 in the Balcones Bartender Challenge with her “This Must Be the Place” cocktail.
Texas bartenders battled it out to create the most original whiskey cocktail in Waco. Contestants created an original cocktail using either Balcones Baby Blue or Balcones Texas Rye 100. A panel of judges selected six semi-finalists, and these six then visited the Balcones Distillery in Waco, Texas to create their cocktail for the judges. Each unique recipe impressed the panel of judges, but only one winner could be chosen. The five runners up each won $1,000.
The five runners up are as follows:
- Summer of ’62 by Austin Millspaugh
- The Long Ride by George Kaiho
- Night Fall by Nicki Petry
- Summer Blues Punch by Christian Armando Guillen
- Texan Tea by Trinh Quan Huy-Philip
Taking home the grand-prize was Chelsea Santos with her “This Must Be the Place” cocktail.
“For close to 7 years, I’ve spent the better part of my life behind a bar. I’ve worked, as many of us do, in almost every realm imaginable. A major portion of my career was in Waco, TX. I began this new way of life in a community that, from an outsider, seems anything but the place for this creativity to blossom. Knowing better, I embarked on a project that would consume much of my mind set. Ever since, I’ve had a passion for creating new drinks, studying classics and understanding the basis to this beloved culture.
‘This Must Be The Place’ is anywhere that you can find curiosity, spirit, and most importantly, perseverance. After leaving the space I began my bartending career, I have traveled and finally turned a new leaf in a new city. Though, some days it feels oddly familiar. On those days I absorb my being here entirely, but carry with me everywhere I’ve been. Luckily, in Texas we’ve got a lot of space to spread and many roots to reach for. After first tasting Balcones’ newest core product, I dabbled here and there and felt this cocktail offered a bit of myself, the spirit, and where ‘our place’ is currently. All of the components meld together to create familiar flavors, with a twist.”– Chelsea Santos
This Must Be the Place
This Must Be the Place
Recipe by Chelsea Santos
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 oz. Balcones Rye
- 1/2 oz. Giffard Abricot du Roussillon
- 1/2 oz. Housemade Chai Syrup
- 1/4 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1/4 oz. Bittermens ‘Elemakule Tiki Bitters
Preparation: Combine all ingredients, shake and strain. Prepare with expressed lemon peel.
For more information on the Balcones Bartender Challenge, visit ChilledMagazine.com/Balcones.
The post The Balcones Bartender Challenge Grand Prize Winner Announced appeared first on Chilled Magazine.
Source: Mixology News
