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.

A Great Bartender...

• is someone who always makes you feel welcome
• always makes sure you feel special; be it with water, a signature cocktail or just a nice smile
• can make every cocktail on the menu to perfection
• can whip up classics and favorites at the drop of a hat
• can play and create new taste sensations tailored to the customers palate
• makes you want to stay all night
• Eryn Reece and Greg Seider are GREAT bartenders

Happy Halloween!

Last night at the beautiful Louis 649, Hendrick's brand ambassador Jim Ryan whipped up some tasting drinks for the holidaze.

First he stared out with a tasty punch. According to my brother-in-cocktail's site Punch in the Mouth, a punch is "One of Sour, Two of Sweet, Three of Strong, Four of Weak." Mr. Ryan's was a tart and dry combination of tea, gin and soda. My instructions were to muddle honey and dried cranberries and then added lemon juice to break it up. Then into the bowl goes chamomile tea, Old-Fashioned bitters, Hendricks Gin, and pomegranate soda. Garnish with thinly sliced cucumber and orange wheels with clove studs. It was a very tasty punch that will go on my Holidaze table for sure. He christened this punch, Persephone's Punch so it looks like my Christmas party this year will have a Greek theme! Good thing since I have no room this year and was hoping my Greek neighbor would host in his apartment. Besides..I love feta.

Next he had some delicious Halloween drinks. There is blood vodka, dyed corn syrup etc... but I prefer the classic drinks that have creepy names. And if they are equal part drinks, they are even easier to make when you are blinded by your false eyelashes and sexy costume (sexy balloon boy?)

So while we had Satan's Bloody Whiskers and Corpse Reviver no 2 last night, but I'll throw in a favorite, The Obituary Cocktail in there too.

Mr. Ryan explained that Corpse Reviver's are a whole category of "wake me up" drinks. They usually have some citrus, so think of it as your morning orange juice...with Blood! MoaHa ha ha ha ha!

Satan's Bloody Whiskers
3/4 part Lillet Blanc
3/4 part Lillet Rouge
3/4 part Orange Juice
3/4 part Hendricks Gin
1/2 part Solerno Blood orange liqueur
Dash orange bitters

Corpse Reviver no 2
Equal parts blood orange liqueur, lemon, Hendricks Gin and a dash of absinthe

Obituary Cocktail
2 oz gin
1/4 oz dry vermouth
1/4 oz absinthe