2015 William Grant and Sons May Mix-Off Returns to the Mixing Room at the JW Marriott, LA Live

William Grant and Son’s May Mix-Off cocktail competition returns to the Mixing Room at the JW Marriott at LA Live Wednesdays in May. Meet the competitors Wednesday, May 6. Then check them out each week as they compete for a trip to New Orleans for Tales of the Cocktail in July. The events are 7-9 p.m. Guests will have the opportunity to try the competition drinks as well as purchase drinks ($14) from the Mixing Room.

Last year former Honeycut bartender Eva Pelczer took home the big win. She made her winning cocktail from the week before and then was thrown a mystery ingredient for the second round. Here’s that beautiful fizz she made with Hendrick’s gin.

East India Cricket Club: A Scottish British Shipwreck Fizz

• 2 oz Hendrick’s Gin
• 1 oz coconut-chamomile tonic
• 1/2 rangpur lime juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• tumeric egg white
• IPA
• caraway dusted coconut

Dry shake first 5 ingredients, strain into chilled glass, top with IPA and a piece of caraway dusted coconut.

This year, every week will have one featured spirit and a mystery spirit instead of just introducing a mystery spirit at the finals. That element of surprise will definitely keep the competitions interesting.

Wednesday, May 6, 7-9 p.m. – Meet the Mixologists event  

Some bartenders competing this year include Aaron Alvarez (Big Bar/ Alcove), Josh Yerkley (EMC Seafood), Gia St. George (Tacoteca), Dylan Snyder (ACME Group), Nicola Anderson (Saint Rocke), Brian Quint (Ace Hotel) and Melaney Schmidt (The Standard).

Wednesday, May 13, 7-9 p.m. – Week One Competition

·         Round 1: Sailor Jerry Rum / Tullamore Dew Whiskey

·         Round 2: Mystery Spirit

Wednesday, May 20, 7-9 p.m. – Week Two Competition

·         Round 1: Hendrick’s Gin / Reyka Vodka

·         Round 2: Mystery Spirit

Wednesday, May 27, 7-9 p.m. – Week Three Competition / Final Round

·         Round 1: Previous weeks’ winning cocktails

·         Round 2: Mystery Spirit

It was really cool to check out the finals last year because they made the winning cocktails from the week before. Christine’s Forage Whittaker with Reyka vodka was like an elegant martini but on a big ol’ rock. You’ll want to go every week but don’t miss the finals on Wednesday, May 27.

Forage Whittaker by Christine Wiseman (Break Room 86)

• 2 oz Reyka vodka
• 1 oz Art in the Age SAGE
• .5 oz mugwort-infused Lillet Blanc
• .25 oz elderflower cordial

Stir all ingredients into a chilled double rocks glass with a large ice cube.

May 6, May 13, May 20 and May 27

7-9 PM

Mixing Room at JW Marriott at LA Live

900 West Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90015  — (213) 765-8600

© The Minty 2015