USBG cocktail competition at World Bar

May 4, 9:25 AMNY Cocktails ExaminerSara Gorelick

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Judges with winner Jonathan Pogash (center). Photo by SG

Those bartenders are at it again…doing their thang and mixing up amazing cocktails! This past Friday, May 1, the United States Bartenders Guild hosted the First New York Chapter qualifying competition for the USBG National Competition. The event was held at World Bar, a swanky little spot at the Trump World Tower in the United Nations Plaza. That’s right, even those government diplomats need to throw one back every once in a while!

The United States Bartending Guild is a network of fantastic bartenders throughout the country who set the standard for great bartending and mixology. This non-profit organization has been around for 60+ years and members share the value for the “craft of mixology.” Bartenders in the USBG use only the freshest ingredients, believe in great quality cocktails and truly respect their craft. This bartending fraternity took shape in 1948 in Southern California and has been growing around the country every since!

The competition was fantastic, with some of New York’s most talented mixing it up for the chance to go to San Francisco on May 12th for the National Competition during World Cocktail Week. The winner of that competition will then go on to compete at the International Bartender Association (IBA) Competition in Germany. All recipes had to use Tres Generaciones Tequila as a base spirit, with either Fernet Branca or Carpano as a modifier. Master of Ceremonies was King Cocktail Dale DeGroff, and judges included Jack Robertiello, Tad Carducci, Aisha Sharpe and Jeffrey Lindermuth. The competitors were Jonathan Pogash, Erin Williams, Lisa Hare, Elba Giron, Eryn Reece and Marshall Altier. Dale DeGroff told the audience that “the US has never won the IBA Competition, but this could be the year! The technical jury is intense, and the drops on the white linen are easily seen.” They don’t mess around!

A big big congratulations to first place winner Jonathan Pogash, whose delectable recipe for The Pulitzer is below!! Good luck in San Francisco buddy! Also congrats to Lisa Hare and Erin Williams, who took home second and third place. Cheers!

The Pulitzer by Jonathan Pogash
1 1/2 oz. Tres Generaciones Reposado Tequila
1/2 oz. St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur
2 tsp. Fernet-Branca
1 tsp. agave nectar
Directions: Shake all ingredients very well in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Garnish: a mint sprig that has been slapped around a bit to release its aroma.