At Sunday’s anniversary party for The Sporting Life – the Los Angeles bartenders’ guild – Malo Beverage Manager Christine D’Abrosca announced the Rosangel cocktail competition, which is designed to promote female mixologists, though bartenders of both genders are eligible to compete. Rosangel Gran Centenario is a hibiscus-infused, port barrel-aged reposado tequila, and it must appear in every submission. Submit your recipe by midnight on March 24, 2009 to Jennifer Ross (jross@proximospirits.com).

Competitors are allowed a maximum of 7 ingredients, including garnish and no more than 4 ounces of spirit. Criteria for judges will be appearance of cocktail, originality of cocktail, balance of ingredients and overall impression. Any cocktail that uses additional Proximo Spirit Brand (1800, Ron Matusalem, 3 Olives Vodka, Gran Centenario or Maestro Dobel) will be awarded bonus points by judges.

The five finalists will have to recreate their Rosangel cocktails upstairs at Malo on April 1 from 7 PM – 11 PM. Malo’s second-floor accommodates 150 people. Food, cocktails and music will be in full-effect for attendees.

There are two ways to win. The Judges Choice Winner receives $250 and will be featured in the first “LA Cocktail Book.” The Peoples’ Choice Winner receives $150 and will be featured in the “LA Cocktail Book.”

Since the competition is designed to help promote female mixologists, several notable female bartenders will be behind Malo’s bar during the April 1 finals, including Kim Haasarud, a “liquid chef” and beverage consultant who founded a company called Liquid Architecture. She’s currently consulting on the cocktail program for downtown’s upcoming Bottega Louie. Kylee Van Dillen is a protégée of Ryan Magarian who’s getting set to bartend at Westside Tavern. Tina Brandelli recently returned to Los Angeles from San Francisco, where she worked as a mixologist at Alembic. You also might find Natalie Bovis-Nelsen (“The Liquid Muse”) and D’Abrosca behind the bar.

The judges will be Chuck Taggart, Marcos Tello (in drag), and Catherine Schimenti, the Pastry Chef at Craft Los Angeles and a nominee for a 2009 James Beard Award.

Related Posts

1. Eggleston & Weir Win Rosangel Cocktail Competition
2. Malo Expanding Downtown By Early 2010
3. Q&A with bartender/mixologist Christine D’Abrosca (Malo)
4. The Varnish Initial Report and Cocktail Menu
5. Arroyo Sells Shares in Malo, Plans Another Mexican Restaurant

1. H.C., March 17, 2009:

   sounds like an interesting tequila — now I’ll have to taste test it to see what concoction I can whip up. Hope Malo’s well-stocked with this

2. mattatouille, March 17, 2009:

   Marcos Tello in drag? eek! dang, i want to enter…but where can i even taste this stuff?

3. Joshua Lurie, March 17, 2009:

   If Malo doesn’t haven’t Rosangel, nobody will. Expect to find it there.

4. H.C., March 20, 2009:

   Ok, I submitted my recipe — crossing fingers!

5. Joshua Lurie, March 20, 2009:

   Cool. Hope to see you behind the bar for the finals.

6. Christine, March 23, 2009:

   We have had a ton of interest in this event and its important to me that those who appreciate good food and fabulous cocktails are there soooo if you are interested either email me at chicbehindthestick@gmail.com OR you can go to facebook and look up Los Angeles; rosangel and you can invite yourself. (If I did it right!!!)…PS Secret Chef Judge would be Catherine Schimenti of Craft Los Angeles 2009 James Beard Nominee

7. Joshua Lurie, March 23, 2009:

   Here are some updated details about the Rosangel cocktail competition:
   http://www.foodgps.com/review/more-details-about-rosangel-cocktail-competition

This entry is filed under Drink News.