San Francisco’s best bartenders gathered at local hot spot Matrix Fillmore for the third-annual Appleton Estate Remixology San Francisco semi-final event. The competitors' Appleton Estate cocktails were inspired by all types of music from Run DMC's "It's Tricky" to The Beatles’ classic "Twist & Shout." Dan Stahl will move on to compete in the finals in NYC on September 10th.
Kevin Diedrich, Brian MacGregor
Amber Engle
Tony Devencenzi
Trevor Easter
Semi-Finalist Recipes
Twist & Stout
Dan StahlSong: "Twist & Shout" by The Beatles
Song choice rationale:
I'm shaking it up....baby I'm working it on out....honey I'm twisting and shouting while I serve it with a twist and stout
Recipe:
2 oz. Appleton Estate Reserve
.75oz Fresh Lemon Juice
.5oz Rhum Clement Creole Shrubb
.5oz Honey Syrup
.5oz Egg Whites
1oz Old Rasputin Imperial Stout
Place all ingredients except stout in shaker. Dry shake then shake vigorously with ice. Strain into a fizz glass and top with 1oz Old Rasputin Stout. Garnish with a big horses neck orange twist and fresh grated cinnamon.
The Instigator
Amber EngleSong: Bad Influence by P!NK
Song choice rationale:
Bad Influence provides a fun beat to mix a drink to, allowing for many different motions to match the tempo. At the same time it entreats the listener to drink along and never feel guilty about having a good time. The Instigator is designed to tease and pique the interest without masking all the liquor. You know what you are getting into, but you are going to enjoy the experience.
Recipe:
1 oz. Appleton Estate Reserve
Mix with:
1oz Guava juice/nectar
1/4oz Bols Apricot Brandy
1/8oz Luxardo Maraschino
20 drops (1/16oz) Bittermens Burlesque Bitters
Pour over crushed ice in a rocks glass. Float Cointreau. Garnish with an orange circle.
The Hellraiser
Kevin DiedrichSong: It's Tricky by Run D.M.C.
Song choice rationale:
The concept of Remixology is to reinvent how we think and view the cocktail contest. Much as Run DMC helped redefine the musical land scape of the 80's, we are helping redefine the idea of how a cocktail is served and how competitions are perceived. This is not only an inventive way to produce a cocktail, it is using current trends that we implement at our bar on a daily basis. And it is bad ass.
Recipe:
2 oz. Appleton Estate Reserve
1.5 Liters Appleton
.5 liters Aperol
.5 liters Passion Fruit Puree (unsweetened)
.5 liters lime juice
.5 liters demerara syrup (2:1)
2 liters Sierra Nevada Kellerweiss
Add Ingredients to Cornelious Keg Add Ice to Keg Proceed with 2 Man Shaker Face Keg
Shake Seal Keg and Charge with NO2 Served as a KEG STAND
Son Of A Gun
Trevor EasterSong: Party Hard by Andrew W.K.
Song choice rationale:
Have you ever heard the song? It sells itself.... It's an aggressive and in your face party song and this drink not only matches the blood generally on Andrew W.K.'s shirt but it's just as in your face as the song... Let's take the fist pump out of Jersey Shore and put it back into rock and roll. If chosen for this I will reward you by performing with my hair down.
Recipe:
2 oz. Appleton Estate Reserve
.5oz Angostura Bitters
1oz Lime Juice
.5oz 1:1 Cane simple syrup
.5oz Small Hands orgeat
Method: Shake Strain: Double Glass: Large Coup Garnish: My Good Looks
Old Man's Money
Tony DevencenziSong: Rich Girl by Hall and Oates
Song choice rationale:
A great H&O classic, I can't help but sing from the top of my lungs when I hear it. And my bet is neither can you. As far as the cocktail goes, I wanted it to match that image of luxury, indulgence and wanton pleasure in the sultry, savory and sweet side of life. This is what the 'rich girl' wants and what the 'old man' will provide. As I sip it I imagine lounging on silk sheets that cover my round bed, eating truffle bon-bons, smoking a cuban cigar, while my rich girl casually slips out of her evening gown. Cause she can rely on her old man's money. And when I'm an old man, I'll be money (so money I don't even know it).
Recipe:
1 oz. Appleton Estate Reserve
.75 oz Appleton 21yr
.5 oz Cardamaro
.5 oz Benedictine barspoon Lagavulin 16yr
2 dashes Bitter Truth Chocolate Mole bitters
Garnish with a flamed orange
Meet the Judges
From left to right: Rebecca Chappa, Martin Cate, Dylan O’Brien
