Courtesy of Wynn/Encore
Thursday, March 4, 2010 | midnight
Wynn/Encore property mixologist Patricia Richards created this “not-too-sweet, refreshing berry cooler-style cocktail” for the twelfth annual Finlandia Vodka Cup finals in Levi, Finland where she finished fourth, the highest finish ever for a U.S. contestant in the competition’s history.
Richards braved subzero temperatures to compete against 30 other mixologists. But the cold is not just trying on the competitors. There, at Levi’s Snow Village, competitors watched as everyday ingredients like syrups and juices seized in the frigid temperatures while the competitors made the compulsory aperitif and long drinks and then a “Quick Mix” cocktail from ingredients in a mystery basket.
“After the first cocktail, my fingers were numb,” said Richards. “My strawberry garnishes on my first drink were literally frozen to the ice bar and I had to scrape them off.”
Richards’ forest-inspired long drink entry incorporates winter themes and lingonberries, an ingredient typical, Richards said, of northern countries such as Finland. “The Finlandia Vodka Cup was a phenomenal experience, unlike anything I have ever done in my entire life. The competition was like a mini-United Nations as you have bartenders from all over the world with one thing in common: the love of mixology.”
Ingredients:
2 oz. Finlandia Wild Berries Fusion Vodka
.25 oz. Clear Creek Douglas Fir Eau de Vie
2 oz. Ocean Spray white cranberry juice
.5 oz. lemon juice (freshly-squeezed, strained of pulp and seeds)
.75 oz. Darbo lingonberry syrup
Method:
Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass. Add ice, shake well and strain over fresh ice into a Collins glass. Garnish with a rosemary sprig peeled of needles except for one end. Spear peeled rosemary with several defrosted cranberries.
With world-class dining, shopping, spas, golf and entertainment, there's no shortage of things to do at Wynn. The resort’s aquatic acrobatic show, “Le Reve—The Dream,” a creation by Cirque Du Soleil veteran Franco Dragone and Steve Wynn, will leave guests wanting more with its breathtaking performances that conjure an imaginary world. The Wynn Esplanade offers a unique shopping experience with stores including Chanel, Manolo Blahnik, Christian Dior, Oscar de la Renta and many more. Tryst is its signature nightclub, offering a secluded lagoon inside the club and spacious dance floor. Blush, the Wynn’s ultra lounge, draws swanky party-goers. Tryst, Wynn’s signature nightclub, is situated along a private lagoon under a 90-foot waterfall and plays host to some of the world’s most renown DJs.
Join the Discussion:
Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.
Full comments policy