Pama Pomegranate Liqueur, the original, all-natural pomegranate liqueur, announces the six finalists of the first-ever "Are You Indispensable?" Cocktail Competition. The competition attracted 242 cocktail recipes from professional bartenders and mixologists from more than 30 states that were submitted via ShakeStir.com, a leading online community for bartenders. The recipes showcase Pama as the indispensable modifier that provides a delicately balanced sweet-tart flavor, silky texture and a vibrant ruby-red color to cocktails ranging from aperitifs to nightcaps using both clear and aged spirits. The competition is hosted by Hanna Lee Communications, Inc. an agency specialized in spirits, food, wine, and lifestyle
The six finalists, in first-name alphabetical order, are as follows: Brian Means (Fifth Floor Restaurant & Lounge, San Francisco), Christopher James (Ryland Inn, Whitehouse Station, New Jersey), Frank Caiafa, (Peacock Alley Restaurant at the Waldorf-Astoria, New York), Julia Momose (The Aviary, Chicago), Ryan Gannon (Cure, New Orleans), and Theo Lieberman (Milk & Honey, New York).
The final competition will be held on Wednesday, January 22. Prizes include a Grand Prize of $5,000, a Second Place Prize of $2,000 and a Third Place Prize of $1,000.
It will be judged by leading lights of the spirits and mixology world:
Paul Pacult – Noted spirits critic and publisher/editor of The Spirit Journal
Steve Olson – Founder of aka wine geek and renowned spirits, wine, and cocktail expert
Julie Reiner – Doyenne of cocktails and owner of Flatiron Lounge and Clover Club Eben Freeman – Director of Bar Operations and Innovation at the Alta Marea Group Kate Shapira Latts – Vice president of Marketing and a member of the third generation of the family behind Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. the parent company of Pama Pomegranate Liqueur
The 242 recipes submitted by bartenders across the U.S. showcased the incredible range of base spirits that were modified by Pama. Aged spirits included Bourbon, rye, Scotch, rum, Cognac, and brandy. Clear spirits spanned gin, vodka, tequila, soju, pisco, cachaca, and absinthe. Wine/beer cocktails utilized Prosecco, cava, Malbec, Moscato and Sauternes wines, Sherry, and lager beer.
"We are delighted by the number of first-rate recipes that were submitted, especially since this is the competition's first year. The response demonstrates the high level of enthusiasm for Pama in the bartending community nationwide," says Lynn House, Pama Pomegranate Liqueur national brand ambassador, Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. "The finalists really took things to the next level. They showed a sophisticated understanding of using Pama as the indispensable modifier that makes ordinary cocktails extraordinary. We wish them all the best of luck at the finals."
"Competitions are a great platform for brand building. During the six months of the recipe entry period, we created tremendous buzz for Pama among bartenders and the media," says Hanna Lee, president and founder, Hanna Lee Communications. "This exemplifies how a cocktail competition can be effectively planned and executed as part of an overall integrated marketing campaign while contributing to the bartending community and spotlighting its talent."
The competition's partner is ShakeStir.com, a leading online community for bartenders and mixologists.
