New Rochelle, NY –– Bärenjäger Honey Liqueur is proud to announce the winner of the brand’s first-ever New York bärtending competition. 643 Broadway was buzzing last night as 6 of New York’s finest bartenders competed in the Bärenjäger Bärtending Competition. Five nationally acclaimed judges; mixologist and spirits aficionado Allen Katz of Southern Wine & Spirits; Spirits and Cocktails Geek Gary Regan of ArdentSpirits.com, Director of the Worldwide Bar Database, and author of The Joy of Mixology; the industry’s leading lady, Julie Reiner of Clover Club and Flatiron Lounge; one of the foremost spirits trade writers, Jack Robertiello and Aisha Sharpe of Contemporary Cocktails, Inc., awarded Kevin Diedrich an all-expense trip paid for two to Oktoberfest 2009 in Munich, Germany. Judges based scores on taste, appearance, creativity and overall delivery.
Grand prize winner, Kevin Diedrich, mixed up “The Bottom Line,” a perfectly balanced cocktail that according to the judges “seemed to be both familiar and new at the same time, like it had always been around, a well-balanced, instant classic.” Kevin’s previous bartending experience includes Bourbon and Branch, Michael Mina’s Clock Bar, CASK, Beverage Academy, The Ritz Carleton and Bourbon Steak.
Cocktail: The Bottom Line
¾ parts Bärenjäger Honey Liqueur
1 ½ parts Highland Park 18
1 part Manzanilla Sherry
¼ parts Cio Ciaro
1 dash Orange Bitters
1 dash Angostura Bitters
Add all ingredients to mixing glass, ice and stir strain into chilled cocktail glass.
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 Gerry Corcoran with the “Bäre Fizz”:
Cocktail: Bäre Fizz
.5 parts Bärenjäger Honey Liqueur
2 parts Famous Grouse Scotch
1 part Fresh Lemon Juice
2-3 parts Toasted Lager Beer
1 Egg White
1 Barspoon Fig Preserves
1 Slice of Fig for Garnish
Dry shake all the ingredients except the lager, add ice and shake again. Double strain into a chilled highball glass, top with the toasted lager beer and garnish with a slice of fig.
Other finalists included Neil Grosscup of Country Club, Meaghan Dorman of Raines Law Room, Jonathan Pogash of Hospitality Holdings and Bradley Farran of Clover Club.
Bärenjäger, a honey liqueur, was first introduced during the 15th century as an aid for hunters to lure bears from their dwellings. Made in Germany, this 70 proof vodka-based honey liqueur is made with premium quality honey from the Mexican province of Yucatan. Each 750ml bottle contains 225 grams of natural honey and a mixture of botanicals resulting in a subtly sweet, spicy and herb edged taste profile.
Bärenjäger Honey Liqueur is available in the United States in the liter, 750ml, 375ml and 50ml sizes.