The Bärenjäger Competition

The skinny:
The Bärenjäger competition was held at super secret Woodson & Ford (yes we were allowed back!)and since I was a contestant I was invited to the finals. Julie Reiner (co-owner of Flatiron Lounge, Clover Club, & Pegu Club), Allen Katz (of Southern Wine & Spirits), Aisha Sharpe (of Contemporary Cocktails), Jack Robertiello (Booze writer)and THE Gary Regan (writer and bitters aficionado) were on tap to judge the competition. Loungerati was on hand to sample the cocktails which included the Clover Club's Brad Farran's El Oso Agridulce (Pueblo Viejo Reposado tequila, Bärenjäger Honey Liquer, Cynar, lemon juice, and creme de cacao) with a crowd of industry bloggers, bartenders, brand ambassadors, and drinkers.

The product:
Bärenjäger, a German honey liqueur, is a neutral grain spirit like vodka that is made with honey from the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico. The recipe is four hundred years old but the flavors are hardly ancient. Sweet yet potent, Bärenjäger is an interesting and tasty marriage to say the least.

The Prize:
An all-expense paid trip for two to Oktoberfest 2009 in Munchen, Deutscheland.

The recipes were submitted through Bärenjäger’s website. I submitted a Honey Bees Knees (Beefeater Gin, Bärenjäger Honey Liquer, Lemon Juice, Fresh Ginger)and though I didn't make it, I enjoyed the event!

The Winners:

FIRST PLACE
The Bottom Line (by Kevin Diedrich of Clover Club)
3/4 oz Bärenjäger Honey Liquer
1/2 oz Highland Park 18 Years
1/2 oz Manzilla Sherry
1/4 oz Cia Ciaro
Dash of Orange bitters
Dash of Angostura bitters

Combine ingredients in glass over ice. Stir and strain into chilled coupe.

SECOND PLACE & Crowd Favorite
Bare Fizz (by Gerry Corcoran of PDT)
1/2 oz of Bärenjäger Honey Liquer
2 oz Famous Grouse Scotch
1 barspoon fig preserves
1 oz fresh lemon juice
1 egg white
2 1/2 oz Toasted Lager beer
slice of fig

Dry shake all ingredients except the lager, add ice and shake again. Double strain into chilled Highball glass, top with the Toasted lager beer and garnish with a slice of fig.

I now have a parting gift - a bottle of Bärenjäger which I will enjoy! Congrats to the winners and a big thank you to the participants!!