{"id":397,"date":"2011-06-10T19:49:53","date_gmt":"2011-06-10T23:49:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.slammie.com\/atomicgrog\/blog\/?p=397"},"modified":"2019-07-20T16:51:08","modified_gmt":"2019-07-20T20:51:08","slug":"the-hukilau-crowns-a-rum-barrel-master-mixologist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.slammie.com\/atomicgrog\/blog\/2011\/06\/10\/the-hukilau-crowns-a-rum-barrel-master-mixologist\/","title":{"rendered":"The Hukilau crowns a Rum Barrel Master Mixologist"},"content":{"rendered":"

See below:<\/strong> Our Master Mixologist photo gallery<\/a> | See all the drink recipes<\/a>
\nAudio slideshow flashback: <\/strong> Contest was a Barrel of fun<\/a>
\nRelated:<\/strong> ‘Rum Rat Pack’ starts a revolution at Hukilau 2011<\/a> | Full Hukilau coverage<\/a><\/p>\n

Bartending contest highlight of Tiki event’s kickoff party<\/strong><\/p>\n

On Thursday night, June 9, The Hukilau kicked off with a bang as five tropical drink mixologists created their own take on the classic Rum Barrel, squaring off live on stage at the Bahia Cabana Beach Resort.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
The winning cocktail, Joe Desmond's Moon Barrel. (Photo by Wayne Curtis)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Using predetermined sponsor rums and mixers, plus other ingredients of their choice, they each had seven minutes to make one fully-garnished drink plus samples for the judges. Hosted by author and tropical drink historian Jeff “Beachbum” Berry, the contest was a combination of cocktail seminar and Tiki party, with colorful drinks made in rapid-fire precision by the contestants and passed around the judging table.<\/p>\n

Judging the contest were some of the top rum authorities in the world: UK Rumfest organizer Ian Burrell, San Francisco bar owner Martin Cate, journalist and author Wayne Curtis and New Orleans rum historian Stephen Remsberg. The Rum Barrel Challenge judges (aka the Rum Rat Pack) will also be participating in Beachbum Berry’s “Rumposium” special event on Saturday, June 11, at The Mai-Kai.
\n* Check out Wayne’s review of the Rum Barrel Challenge<\/a><\/p>\n

The Master Mixologist Rum Barrel Challenge was sponsored by Montanya Rum<\/a> and Fee Brothers<\/a>, and both products were incorporated into all the drinks. Judges rated each drink on its originality, creativity, adherence to the theme, use of the required ingredients, taste (including balance and use of rums), and presentation.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Joe<\/a>
Joe Desmond (with wife Nicole) accepts the grand prize, a custom sculpted muddler by artist Tom Fowner.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After 90 minutes of mixing and a lot of repartee, the judges reached a verdict. The winner of the Master Mixologist Cocktail Challenge is …<\/p>\n

Joe Desmond of New York’s Famous Rhum Rhum Room (Joe and wife Nicole’s acclaimed home bar) with his creation, The Moon Barrel. His grand prize was a custom-sculpted, hand-carved muddler by South Florida Tiki carver Tom Fowner. He also received a Mai-Kai gift certificate.<\/p>\n

Joe edged out the defending Master Mixologist champion, Grady Johnson, who came in second with his Admiral Vernon’s Flagship. The other runners-up were Blair Frodelius, Pablus, and George Jenkins.<\/p>\n

Scroll below the photos for all the drink recipes<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\n<\/a>
\nExclusive Atomic Grog photos<\/strong>
\n(Click on thumbnails to see larger images or to view as slideshow)<\/em><\/p>\n