For some of us, hearing ‘drink’ and ‘competition’ in the same sentence might induce flashbacks of university days when we thought we were invincible, but we can assure you; this event is going to be much, much classier.
Art of the Cocktail returns to Calgary May 2nd and 3rd and it’s the best way to celebrate the city’s cocktail culture. If you’ve never attended, expect a jam-packed weekend of tastings, competitions, and seminars on everything you wanted to know about shaking, stirring, and mixing the perfect drink.
Right now, the Art of the Cocktail is also on the hunt for a signature recipe – and this isn’t just for the pros. If words like ‘muddling’ and ‘infusing’ get you excited, then you need to consider entering the Calgary Cocktail Competition.
Here’s what you need to know.
Before submitting your personal cocktail recipe you should consider that judges are interested in taste but also drinks that have a Calgary twist. What does that mean?
Think local and iconic ingredients, and be prepared to share your own story about how your recipe was inspired by the city. (Warning: making it in a cowboy hat won’t help.)
Thanks to local distilleries popping up, like Eau Claire Distillers, the return of long forgotten classic cocktail ingredients (think: sherry, bitters, aromatics) are making their resurgence on drink lists and being worked into the local bartender repertoire.
So if you think you have what it takes to be crowned king or queen of the Calgary Cocktail Competition, skip the gym and grocery shopping tonight, and raid your liquor cabinet to see what you’ll be submitting.
The deadline is April 25th, and once all the cocktails have been sipped and sampled by the judges, two lucky finalists will get to attend the Art of the Cocktail Grand Tasting at the University of Calgary downtown campus and wow guests with their signature concoction. And obviously, a winner will be chosen (it’s not called a competition for nothing).
For more details on the competition guideline, the seminars, and the Art of the Cocktail partners visit the main site.
And just in case you need any inspiration…
Art of the Cocktail is a celebration of the cocktail lifestyle that has run for seven successful years in Victoria, BC and two in Calgary.
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