The Intoxicologist

Regional winners of cocktail competition mix it up for the grand prize

New Orleans, LA—What’s better in the Big Easy than a marvelous martini? Rain Organics Vodka Flavors will sponsor a “Martinis & Massages” room Friday, July 9, 4-6:30 p.m. at the Hotel Monteleone. The event takes place at the ultimate bartender event, “Tales of the Cocktail.”

Part of the event will include the Rain Organics Flavors mix-off finals. In recent months mix-offs have been held around the country to find the best drinks for each of the new Rain Organics Flavors. Winners from each city will head to New Orleans to take in all the action at “Tales of the Cocktail.” The top drink from each flavor was selected to compete for the grand prize of $2500 along with bragging rights. Here are the drinks competing in the final round:

Provencal

1-1/4 ounce Rain Organics Lavender Lemonade Vodka

1 ounce lemon juice (juice from ½ lemon)

3/4 ounce rosemary infused simple syrup

1 ounce egg white (whites from one egg)

Fresh thyme sprig

In an ice-filled pint glass, pour vodka, lemon juice and rosemary simple syrup then top with egg white. Shake very vigorously to froth egg white—about 20 seconds. Strain contents into a martini glass. Lay fresh thyme across the froth.

The Glass Eye

2 ounces Rain Organics Cucumber Lime Vodka

3/4 ounce Pimm’s No. 1

3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice

3/4 ounce lemongrass simple syrup

2 slices of peeled cucumber

Muddle 1 slice cucumber in the bottom of a mixing glass. Add all ingredients, then fill mixing glass with ice and shake well. Strain (through a fine mesh strainer) into a chilled cocktail glass, and garnish with a thin slice of cucumber.

Lemongrass simple syrup

Combine 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water in a saucepan over medium high heat, and stir until sugar has dissolved. Keeping on heat, add 2 stocks thinly sliced lemongrass, cut on the bias.  Reduce heat to low medium, and simmer for 20-30 minutes. Strain lemongrass from syrup, cool, and refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Spicy Mango Bloody Mary

2 ounces Rain Organics Honey Mango Melon Vodka

2 ounces yellow tomato juice

2 ounces Goya mango juice

2 slivered and muddled mango slices

Pinch of hot sauce

5 cilantro leaves

Pinch of salt

Pinch of pepper

Pinch of garlic

Splash of lemon juice

Teaspoon of sugar

Salted and peppered mango slice

Muddle pinched salt, pepper, garlic, mango, cilantro, lemon and sugar. Add ice, Rain Organics Honey Mango Melon vodka, tomato juice, hot sauce, mango juice and shake well. Garnish with salted and peppered slice of mango. Serve in a tall glass.

Ocean Breeze

2 ounces Rain Organics Red Grape Hibiscus Vodka

2 ounces red grapefruit juice (preferably Florida Natural Ruby Red)

1 ounce simple syrup

2 basil leaves, with stems

Muddle basil with simple syrup.  Add Rain Organics Red Grape Hibiscus Vodka, red grapefruit juice and ice.  Shake and strain.  Serve in a martini glass with a garnish of basil leaf.

While the four bartenders work their magic for a panel of celebrity judges, including industry expert Paul Pacult, other visitors to the Rain Organics room will have the opportunity to sample each of the new Rain Organic Flavors as well as take in a relaxing chair massage.

“We’ve been so happy with these mix-offs,” said Elizabeth Cawood, vodka brand manager. “We’ve had some amazing drinks from some of the country’s top bartenders and can’t we want to see who comes out on top.”

For more information on Rain Organics Flavors please visit www.rainvodka.com and to learn more about the Tales of the Cocktail event go to www.talesofthecocktail.com.

About Rain Organics Vodka

Rain Organics Vodka is hand-made in small batches using white organic corn and is distilled seven times for exceptional taste and smoothness.  The incredible quality comes from a delicate 20 day production process that includes cold-water, sweet mash fermentation, seven distinct distillations and a polishing stage that adds pure limestone water. Rain Organics is hand-made from scratch, exclusively at Buffalo Trace Distillery, three-time winner of Malt Advocate Magazine’s “Distillery of the Year” award. Rain Organics is marketed by the Sazerac Co., Inc, one of the leading international suppliers, importers and distributors of distilled spirits. A 750 ml. bottle of Rain retails between $18-$22. Visit Rain Organics Vodka online at www.rainvodka.com.