Tuesday, May 6, 2014

The Beer Wench and The Bloody Mary Mixdown


This year I had the honor of competing in the second annual NYC Hot Sauce Expo's Bloody Mary Mixdown sponsored by Stoli. Preliminaries were held in every borough, where three finalists were chosen to compete on stage at the Expo
 

The Queens' preliminary was held at the former Hell Gate Tiki (formerly known as Hell Gate Social and soon to be known as Pop bar) and it happened to coincide with my boyfriend's little brother's first day in New York. He flew straight from the Big Island of Hawaii to the Big Apple and landed just in time to watch the competition.


Nicci Carnaggio and I both competed representing Sparrow Tavern and the poor contestant stuck between us in our round had the uh..pleasure..of listening to our banter for the ninety seconds allotted to make our Bloodys. I developed a new recipe for the occasion using NYC Hot Sauce Co. Hot Sauce, Rick's Picks Mean Beans, and a homemade horseradish and black pepper infused Stoli.


After the panel of judges tasted our Bloody Marys and Jimmy (of Jimmy's 43) warmed up the crowd with the raffle drawing, the winners were announced. I was already pumped that my man had won two VIP passes to the Hot Sauce Expo so when my name was called for second place, I was genuinely surprised! 
 

The Daily News misspelled my name, but the picture is great! The reporter was a judge...maybe he'd had too many Bloody Marys...

I thought it was pretty amazing that the NYC Hot Sauce Expo happened to fall two days after my birthday. I woke up jittery, managed to pack my cooler and shove breakfast in my face before heading into the city. Last year, the Hot Sauce Expo was held outside in Brooklyn. This year, the Expo found its home at Penn Plaza which, since it was chilly and raining, was a welcome venue. 
 
                                    

Inside, all twenty one bartenders checked in and milled the hot sauce booths. Food vendors and beer stands from Lagunitas were scattered around the giant space. In the VIP section, a variety of liquor brands handed out samples and the Sailor Jerry girls gave pin-up style makeovers. Tickets for the Expo had sold out by 2pm and the line to get in wrapped around the block. After what seemed like an eternity, the Mixdown was about to begin. Each bartender drew a random number, then waited for that number to be called. My anxiety was through the freaking roof! While I waited, I sipped a Lil' Sumpin, chatting with my boyfriend and our Queens' champion: DiWine's Josh Woody.

Just as my jitters were about to get the best of me, my number was called. I set up my little station: my "I Put Hot Sauce On My Hot Sauce" bumper-sticker from East Coast Taco proudly displayed on the front of my tray, which was full of ramekins containing freshly squeezed citrus, worcestershire, freshly grated horseradish and salt and pepper, my NYC Hot Sauce and Rick's Picks ready to go and, of course, my infused Stoli. 
 
                       

The following minute and a half was a total blur, but I do know that I finished early and was able to wave at my friends in the crowd, high-five my fellow competitor Charlie, and proudly display my Bloody in its custom made " Drink Local" glass before handing it in.

                                  

Sadly, my friends, I did not place at the Expo. The winners all hailed from Staten Island and Long Island and, since we didn't get to try each other's, I have no idea what made their drinks awesome! One of the finalists did turn in a crazy Bloody that was smoking from dry ice, but that's really all the intel I have. The winner's recipe will be published in this year's Stoli recipe book.

     

After the Expo ended, I headed over to the Pearl Theater to see my man's play reading. Every so often the Pearl hosts a "Pick Your Poison" play reading series, sponsored by Sixpoint. The audience watches three five minute previews and then decides which to watch in its entirety by applauding. It's always a fun evening and did I mention it's free?

Like theatre and Sixpoint? Come check out the Pearl reading of Lady Fredrick Sunday, May 11th at 7pm!!

                      


Want to make my Hot In The City Bloody Mary?
You'll need:
1 bottle of Stoli
1 horseradish root
1 lemon squeezed
1 lime squeezed
NYC Hot Sauce Company Hot Sauce
Rick's Picks Mean Beans
Worcestershire sauce
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Sacramento tomato juice
*I also used the Mean Beans' brine to pickle rainbow baby carrots for garnishing

Peel horseradish root and cut roughly ten narrow strips, leaving some of the root to grate.  Pour out some of the Stoli to make room in the vodka bottle--use extra vodka for a cocktail while you prep.  Place horseradish strips in bottle, add 1 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper, seal and shake bottle.  Allow Stoli to infuse for 1 week.

Hot In The City Bloody Mary

2oz infused Stoli, 1/4 oz lemon juice, 1/2 oz lime juice, 1/2 oz worcestershire, splash of Mean Beans' brine, 1/4 oz NYC Hot Sauce Co. Hot Sauce, pinch salt, pinch ground pepper, top with tomato juice.  Gently pour between two shakers and back into an ice filled glass.  Garnish with Mean Beans and pickled carrots.  Enjoy!