Finlandia Vodka Cup @ HOME in NYC
Recently I attended the Finlandia Vodka Cup, New York City style, at Home Nightclub! Sponsored by Brown-Forman and hosted by Chris Brown, himself, the event was fantastic! A bunch of NYC’s most talented and involved bartenders were on-hand to showcase their intoxicating creations.
One of the competitors, Rob Kenyon from The Plaza
Rob Kenyon, one of the finalist in the Conde Nast – Grand Marnier Cocktail contest was one of the first mixologists of the evening. Rob focused on 3 specialty creations that he developed exclusively for the night.
No picture of North by Southwest available so this will have to do for Hot & Spicy...
North by Southwest ~ In a Boston Shaker muddle 3 thin slices of Jalapeno Pepper – add 2oz. Finlandia Cranberry Fusion Vodka, 3/4oz. of fresh lemon juice, 3/4oz. fresh OJ and 1/2oz. simple syrup. Fill shaker with Ice and shake vigorously > Pour over ice in a chilled highball glass and garnish with a slice of Jalapeno.
Thoms 50/50 Orange Creamcicle-esque goodness
Thoms 50/50 ~In a Boston Shaker add 2oz. Finlandia Vodka – 3/4oz. Navan (Natural Vanilla Liqueur) 1/2oz. Grand Marnier and 1oz. of fresh OJ – fill with ice, shake and strain into a chilled martini glass. In a plastic squeeze bottle shake heavy cream and drizzle it in any desired pattern across the top of the drink. Due to the impending Holiday Rob’s choice of the ‘web’ design is perfect – you could also put some fun Halloween treats on the edge of the glass for additional tackiness!
White Frost Cosmopolitan with Orchid Garnish !
White Frost Cosmopolitan ~ In a Boston Shaker add 2oz. Finlandia Lime Fusion Vodka – 1oz. St. Germain Elderflower liqueur – 1/2oz. fresh lime juice and 1oz. white cranberry juice. Fill the shaker with ice, shake and strain into a chilled martini glass. A floating Orchid is used as garnish.
All of Robs drinks were fantastic but the most interesting and complex was his North by Southwest cocktail. The unusual, yet perfectly balanced combination of ‘fruit’ with ‘heat’ was spot on. The greatest tip I can give anyone when tasting or exploring new food or beverage is: Keep an open mind. Do not let your preconceived ideas keep you from expanding your bar savvy.
Rob chillin' with DJ Sway
Other notables at the event were Paul Sharpe Regional Manager of Empire Merchants of New York and MTV’s DJ Sway who kept the music and energy high on this cold Monday night.
NO faces or names to protect the ... guilty
Oh yeah ~ Did I mention the semi-covered-up Finlandia girls took full advantage of the stripper pole… that is another post, at a different time on a different blog…
Cheers
October 25, 2008 at 12:08 am
Hey I was there…..
and Thank God I won. I am so excited. i worked very hard. And i get to go to colorado in two weeks. I hope all who were there enjoyed my drinks. and thanks to the judges. I have never won anything so this was amazing.
October 26, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Wow this looks AWESOME!!
I love that you have the pictures from the event. i will make sure to get some cool pictures for you soon!
LOVE YOU TONS!!
great work
chloe