After a grueling, and at times very rainy competition in beautiful Key West, Miami - based mixologist takes home the grand prize
April 30th, 2012 – Key West, FL — Following months of anticipation, planning and stiff competition amongst some of the best bartenders in Southern Florida, Robert Ferrara was named the winner of the second annual Tequila Partida Spirit Bird Challenge with the Smoky Mexican cocktail. Second place was awarded to Jessica Bell with Citricos Picante. Third place was a tie between Juanita Butler's Spicy Sombrero and Rich Bagdasarian with the Rosebud. With the consumer choice vote, Stacy Schaaf was honored for the Key West Sunset.
"I love Partida. I think it is one of the best Tequilas in the world and I really stand behind it."-- Robert Ferrera, The Dutch Miami inside the W Hotel Smokey Mexican, Robert Ferrara, The Dutch Miami inside the W Hotel
1.5oz Fresh Watermelon Juice
6 Organic Cilantro leaves
Jalapeño infused Partida Agave Nectar
Fresh lime juice
2o z Partida Blanco
.5 oz Del Maguey Mezcal Vida
Fresh Cracked Black Pepper
Take Mezcal and place in rocks glass with ice
In mixing tin:
Add 5 cilantro leaves and fresh squeezed lime juice. Muddle to release the flavors of the cilantro. Add fresh pressed watermelon juice, Jalapeño infused agave nectar, Partida Blanco
Add ice and shake
Empty rocks glass and discard the mezcal
Add fresh ice in the mescal rinsed glass
Strain over fresh ice
Crack black pepper on top
Garnish with 1 cilantro leaf
On Sunday, April 29th, fourteen mixologists from around Southern Florida braved a rainstorm and battled for the grand prize at the Southernmost on the Beach, a beautiful and world famous hotel in Key West. The contestants’ recipes were all original, with the only requirement being that the cocktail have the contestant’s chosen marque of Tequila Partida as the base ingredient. Each contestant was given up to 10 minutes to create his or her cocktail. Points were awarded based on presentation, originality and taste, with extra points awarded for going over and above in any category. The judges included Partida Brand Ambassador Jacques Bezuidenhout, Winner of Starwood Hotels Star Mixologist and Food & Beverage Director of the Westin Collonnade in Coral Gables Jennifer McDonough, and General Manager for the Southernmost Hotel Collection Matthew Babich. Gilbert Velilla, from Ortanique, emceed the evening.
The competition process involved bar chefs throughout the South Florida market. Original recipes were submitted through email at [email protected] from February - April. Contestants included some of the best bartenders from the hottest cocktail spots in South Florida.
“We were thrilled to host these talented and creative bartenders for the Second Annual Spirit Bird Competition,” said Gary Shansby, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Tequila Partida. “Robert Ferrara's creation was delicious and truly showcased the versatility of Tequila Partida. We welcome the Smoky Mexican into the Partida family of cocktails. Congratulations to all the contestants."
Tequila Partida (www.tequilapartida.com) is an authentic, all-natural, estate-grown ultra-premium Tequila, made from 100% blue agave in the Tequila Valley, the heart of Mexico’s historic Tequila Valley region. From cultivation and harvest to cooking, distillation and aging, Tequila Partida maintains exceptional standards of quality and consistency, making Partida “the finest tequila that money can buy,” according to F. Paul Pacult, the leading spirits authority in America.
Tequila Partida produces four distinctive Tequilas: Blanco (not aged), Reposado (aged six months), Añejo (aged 18 months) and Elegante (aged 36 — 40 months). Tequila Partida is now distributed in Mexico and the United Kingdom, as well as Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington, DC, Washington and Wyoming. Partida will continue to expand aggressively and strategically in the United States.
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