Fast Ladies Who Can Toss Back some Likker

This Sunday June 12 is NYC's first Speed Rack Competition. The fastest Female Bartenders will go head to head in a deadly tournament of both speed and skill to create good tasting classic cocktails. Cocktail heavyweights Dale Degroff, Julie Reiner, Audrey Saunders and Time Out's Jordana Rothman will act as honored judges. It will be a great LUPEC night out!

Not just a national competition, this is also a benefit for breast cancer research. So I expect everyone in the sound of this post to come and cheer us on. I have been practicing, bartending 5 nights a week but I have great confidence in my huge assets...my brain and skill, natch.

Details you cannot do without-
Where: Astor Center, 399 Lafayette St. (at East 4th St.) NY, NY 10003 (212) 674-7501
When: June 12th, 2011
Time: 4pm
Cost: $10 available here
Who: the most beautiful, accomplished, sexy, stylish, loving bartenders in the city

Ingenious and Audacious

Today I have my second nation cocktail competition in two years. In my work haze, I have barely had time to get nervous. I hope I am ingenious and audacious enough (the apparent requirements) to warrant a trip to the world finals in New Zealand. I could really use a nice vacation to check out, fill my cup and mingle with some international bartender booty. This time I don't have to travel to NOLA for the finals are here in my own backyard at the Ace Hotel in NYC. Too bad it wasn't held in the Deuce Hotel. Then maybe I could get a free old fashioned typewriter with my room.



Anyone not watching the Oscars, come to the Ace Hotel's Liberty Hall tonight at 6:30pm to see my dog and pony show (oh if only I had Pal and a real pony! Then I would definitely win!!). Win or lose, I have a hotel room in my name and I intend to use it...to quietly watch the end of the Oscars, cuddle under the smooth hotel sheets and briefly forget who and where I am.

Amateur Night at Louis 649

Photo: Lush Life Productions

Beware amateurs..this is how I got involved in this industry.

First I was just a meek and mild mannered school teacher who took naps so she could make fresh cocktails for her late night cook boyfriend when he came home from a long night in the kitchen. The next thing I knew I was single, coming home when most people are going to work, last night's underwear in my back pocket, the sure sign of the morning after. Take me home. Take me home and leave me there - Ani DiFranco

Louis 649 is having a Consumer Cocktail Competition. And its true, anyone could be a mixologist. But please, for the love of Pete, stay an amateur! Its like the Olympics I think, its better to not go pro.

Civilians only for this contest, so I think I am out. As a ranking Captain in The Drunken Army, I don't think I can go back to civi life. I am like Jeremy Renner in The Hurt Locker.

The Hurt Shaker.

Oh what? The contest..riiiight..ok. The recipe submission guidelines are these:

1) Submission deadline is April 18.

2) Send all recipes to anyone@louis649.com

3) With submission, please include a detailed recipe with measurements, the type of glass to be used, whether the drink should be served “Up” or over ice, whether it is meant to be stirred or shaken, your full name, email address, phone number, current city and your occupation.

4) Be creative, but not over the top. Please remember, we have to make this cocktail all Spring.

5) You must use one of the following spirits as your base ingredient:
- Beefeater Gin
- Bercherovka Herbal Liqueur
- Chivas 12yr
- Jameson Irish Whiskey
- Luksusowa Vodka
- Martell Cognac
- Pernod Absinthe
- Plymouth Gin
- Ramazzotti Amaro
- Ricard Pastis

6) All other ingredients are up to you, but refer back to Rule #4

On April 21, ten semi-finalists will be invited to Louis 649 to prepare their cocktails in front of a panel of bartenders who will then decide the winning cocktail based on criteria the recipe’s creativity, ease of preparation, flavor and balance.

If you win, your cocktail will be highlighted on the upcoming spring menu and credited to you. The winner will also receive Plymouth Gin Bartending Kit, a one-year subscription to Imbibe and a $100 Gift Card to Louis 649. That can buy some pickles and maybe a drink or two. Make sure you leave a big tip. Its tough to be a Pro.