29-May-15 – Lime juice, egg white, brown sugar, mole bitters, chili liqueur, roasted corn puree, lemon saline solution, pepper hominy potpourri and, of course, Tequila just wasn’t enough for a River North mixologist to win a national cocktail competition at House of Blues last week.

Andrew Turner, of Bottlefork on North Clark Street, was one of six regional finalists but did not make the final cut to compete at Star of the Bar. He was out-mixed by Meaghan Montagano of New York, who won $5,000. The event was hosted by restaurateur and Food Network television personality Geoffrey Zakarian.

(Left) Turner concocting his entry, a drink he calls Elotéd. (Click on images to view larger versions.)

The competition was part of National Restaurant Association events held in Chicago May 16-18. Judges included chef Maneet Chauhan and mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim.

The winning cocktail, a Banana Danza, featured Casamigos Tequila, banana du bresil, dry curacao, lemon juice, and chocolate bitters, garnished with micro-planed chocolate and nasturtium flowers. The straws were biodegradable.

Three mixologists competed at the May 17 event. The other two were Elmer Mijanicanos of San Francisco and Madison Burch of Atlanta.

(Above) Event host Geoffrey Zakarian with winner Meaghan Montagano. Photo by Christopher Cote.