Cocktails are back and bigger than ever. OK, maybe more creative than ever. Your grandfather’s Gin and Tonic still rocks among some in the pre-dinner crowd, but more guests are looking for creative approaches to a simple Dirty Martini. We have wine, beer, and tea sommeliers so why not Cocktail Meisters?
One of the champions of the cocktail universe, in the true literal sense as the winner of the 42Below Cocktail World Cup held recently in New Zealand, is Todd Thrasher, a guy whose bio reads like a restaurant and bar who’s who. He has happily been ensconced for the last few years (since the restaurant’s inception) with the much heralded Restaurant Eve (Alexandria, VA) team as the overall Beverage Guru for his wine knowledge and his creative cocktails. Sure he has a lab to practice with at their other spot, PX Lounge, but he has always understood the power of change as a creative bar man. He likes the opportunity to innovate and be creative and recognizes that the customer has changed, too, and wants something a little different. He is so far ahead of the curve on this front that the mere herb almost gets ignored in his glossary of options. His winning creation had some unusual partners for the vodka: Homemade apple bitters and lime thyme syrup were two of the ingredients.
Thrasher may be on the top of the Leader Board, and the individual I am most familiar with personally, but the rest of his winning teammates on Team USA definitely prove their mettle in their respective cities, New York and Boulder. NY has 23-year Sean Hoard (from PDT in the East Village) who wowed the judges with his creation which he named a Wellington Fizz (kiwi and vodka are its main ingredients). The third member of the team is Mark Stoddard from Happy’s Bitter Bar. His concoction used Manuka Honey Vodka with rye and vermouth. Yes, all these vodka-based drinks are more than just the ingredients. They are stirred, mixed, shaken and drizzled or lightly poured to make the great performance show that cocktails have become.
Cocktails are big business and most restaurants and spin-off bars want to be part of this continuing trend. The cocktail guru is a much requested bar meister. Life is tough. Cocktails offer soothing relief or at least help wake up the spirit and encourage their own loyal following.
Yes, Team USA.
