Bombay Sapphire and GQ Magazine find Dallas' Most Inspired Bartender

Triumphant!  Syreeta Cook and her Twisted Collins

Bombay Sapphire and GQ Magazine recently found a Dallas candidate for America’s Most Inspired Bartender.

 [Click here to view a slideshow with photos from the event.]

Their challenge to local bartenders: create an original cocktail using Bombay Sapphire and win a feature in GQ Magazine and a trip to Las Vegas in September to compete for Bartender of the Year.

24 contestants muddled, shook, and strutted their stuff last Monday. In the end, Syreeta Cook of Brooklyn Jazz Café emerged victorious. Her creation, the Twisted Collins, is a jazzy, flavorful spin on the traditional Tom Collins made with crushed jalapeno and cinnamon.

The semi-formal, catered event was hosted at Studio 1019. Friends, relatives, and well-wishers bobbed their heads to the sounds of the Black Eyed Peas and Beyonce while cheering the contestants on.

Judges were Merlin Griffiths (Bombay Sapphire Global Ambassador), Stacy Girard (Editor of Modern Luxury Dallas), and J-Si Chavez (KISS FM 106.1 Kidd Kraddick Morning Show personality). Runners Up in the contest were Luis Oseguera from La Joya (Bombay Beachside Martini), Clark McConathy from Urban Crust (Ragin’ Cajun), and Zach Searcy from Lift Lounge (Orient Express).

Past winners of this contest include Ivan Rimach of La Duni, who appeared in GQ in 2007 with his creative cocktail, the Fire & Ice.

Related articles:

• Bartender of the week:  Syreeta Cook of Brooklyn Jazz Cafe
• Twisted Collins:  an award winning cocktail drink by Syreeta Cook of Brooklyn Jazz Cafe

If you enjoyed this article you may also enjoy these others:

• Calling all bartenders:  celebrate the life of Michael Jackson with this fun challenge!
• Bartender of the week:  Ivan Rimach of La Duni
• Bars 101:  Where are the best places in Dallas to get great rum drinks?
• Urban liver:  Get "chemically inconvenienced" in Dallas with these fun weekend events 8/14-8/16
• Scotch rocks star:  Dalmor master blender introduces Dallas to all new blends of single malt scotch
• Bartending 101:  How does one become a better bartender?