This Saturday night at 6 p.m., my butt will be in the Central West End, slurping down multiple cocktails, smiling ear to ear and having a friggin ball. But I’ll also be working. So let me re-explain – I’ll be drinking cocktails AND working. I must be judging a cocktail contest.
Praise the Lord!
Like anyone, I knew what a cocktail was just from sheer life experience. But I learned the essence of the cocktail from ‘The Dude.”
If you have to ask, ‘The Dude” is the epic character in the cult comedy classic, The Big Lebowski (1998) from the Coen Brothers. Jeff Bridges is “The Dude” a stoned bowler clad usually in a bathrobe, who’s cocktail of choice is a White Russian.
Now I’m not a fan of White Russians, (vodka, kahlua and light cream), but I became obsessed with how cool “The Dude” looked with one. He understood that the style of the cocktail was different from the style of Frank Sinatra enjoying a Jack Daniels on the rocks. Both styles are great, but “The Dude’s” style was more everyman’s.
It is with the vibe of “The Dude” that I will judge the CWE cocktail contest. May his eternal coolness, with glass in hand, inspire me to find greatness from the field of worthy contestants.
The Info
St. Louis’ largest cocktail party is to honor the World’s first cocktail party, which took place one century ago.
The party runs Saturday, June 10, 2017, from 5-10 p.m. along Euclid Ave. between Maryland and McPherson. The cocktail competition will begin at 6 p.m and features bartenders from Bar Louie, Brennan’s, Gamlin Whiskey House, Kingside Diner, Mary Ann’s Tea Room, Mission Taco Joint and Sub Zero Vodka Bar.
In the first round, bartenders bring their best and top scorers advance. Rounds 2 & 3 will incorporate a spinning wheel that will tell bartenders what style/spirit/etc. they must incorporate into their drinks.
