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Business & Tech

Clearwater Bows to Tampa in Best Cocktail Contest

At least 10 bartenders from Dunedin, Clearwater and Tampa poured-off at a contest for best vodka drink.

In a head-to-head mix-off, there can be only one “best.” That title went to Andres Aleman on Monday night (Aug. 15).

Aleman is a bartender from Miami who does guest appearances at Ciro’s Speakeasy in Tampa. He took first place and won $300 for his “Orient Express Swizzle” in the at . 

Bartenders could choose one of four exotic Absolut flavors to base their drink.

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Aleman’s drink is based on Absolut Orient Apple flavored vodka. He added mint leaves, ginger root, lime juice and a falernum he made personally. Falernum is a rum-based syrup spiced with cloves and citrus.

He tops the drink with hard apple cider. “Perfect for this hot summer day,” Aleman said.

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Aleman liked the scene at Smokehouse. About 100 people watched the competition.

“I can see a cool atmosphere going on,” he said. “I can see everybody getting pumped.”

Aleman writes and blogs about his work. He is glad to see the cocktail culture expanding out of San Francisco and New York and into places like Tampa.

“I love that,” he said. “I love to come to cities where you can interact with guests and expand their horizons, their palate, their knowledge in cocktails and spirits.”

His advice to would-be mixologists: honor the fundamentals. Before going off and making your own bitters, take some time and consider how to blend the perfect gin and tonic.

Aleman suggested taking a look at Jerry Thomas’ 1887 “Bartenders Guide.” The book documents classic cocktail concoctions.

Other drinks made for the competition were simpler, some more complex. Several competitors made use of dry ice for a smokey effect.

Bob Wagner, also of Ciro’s, incorporated monkey-picked oolong tea into his take on a Ramos gin fizz. Using club soda, egg whites and furious shaking, Wagner whipped up a tea and citrus froth.

Dean Hurst of SideBern’s in Tampa placed second with a peach cocktail.

Derek Griffin of , and in Dunedin placed third. He also based his drink on Absolut Orient Apple, but went for a traditional martini, rather than something overly complex.

Griffin is likes draft beers and microbrews and his favorite mixed drink is Jameson and ginger ale. He knew about half of the bartenders in the competition.

“I’ve never even heard of half of the other people and I’ve gotten to mingle around and meet them,” Griffin said.

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