- Earlier this month, Compass Box Whisky partnered with the New York members of LUPEC (Ladies United for the Preservation of the Endangered Cocktail) for its second annual International Women's Day celebration of women and whisky. Eight of the city's top female bartenders created Compass Box cocktails--several of them were named after inspirational members of the women's movement--which were paired with either Murray's Cheese or Bespoke Chocolates. The event raised funds for Bottomless Closet NYC, a non-profit organization that helps disadvantaged NYC women become self-sufficient through comprehensive educational and training programs.
- The winners of the 2011 Ultimate Spirits Challenge were recently announced, named by top beverage experts in a blind tasting held at Astor Center earlier this month. The judges, led by Judging Chairman F. Paul Pacult and Assistant Judging Chairman Sean Ludford, included Eric Alperin, Jacques Bezuidenhout, Tad Carducci, James Conley, Dale DeGroff, Doug Frost, Jim Meehan, Robert Plotkin, Julie Reiner, Jack Robertiello, Steve Olson, Andy Seymour, Aisha Sharpe, Willy Shine, Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan and David Wondrich. This year, the competition also recognized spirits that offer "Great Value," based on the relationship between their score and price. For the full list of winners, click here.
- On March 28, the New York chapter of the USBG (U.S. Bartender's Guild) is holding its third annual Cocktail Jam at Astor Center. Twelve of the city's best bartenders will shake, stir and sling during the smackdown, taking place from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Judges Giuseppe Gonzalez, Thomas Waugh, Phil Ward, and Stephanie Moreno will decide the winner, who will receive a $2,000 scholarship to the esteemed cocktail conference, Tales of the Cocktail. Tickets to the jam are $35 and 50% of all ticket proceeds benefit Action Against Hunger (Tsunami Relief) and the USBGNY.
The Alice Paul by Erin Williams, Hush Cocktails, NYC
1 ½ oz Spice Tree ½ oz Orangerie 1 bar spoon fig preserve 2 dashes Smeby's Highland Heather bitters Peat Monster-rinsed coupe
Top with Champagne. Garnish with an orange twist.
Alice Paul was the woman who championed the women’s suffrage movement and ultimately won women the right to vote in 1920.
