If you've ever fancied yourself as a mixologist extraordinaire, Phoenix is giving you the chance to prove your cocktail chops on a grand scale. The city is on the hunt for a signature drink to capture the essence of the Arizona capital, and they're inviting all local residents to shake up their best concoctions for a shot at mixological stardom. Offering the kind of challenge that could stir any drink enthusiast into action, the "Spirit of Phoenix" contest, as they're calling it, is the latest innovation from Mayor Kate Gallego in collaboration with the Arizona Restaurant Association and Visit Phoenix, aiming to spotlight the city's vibrant bar scene and its local flavors.
"We wanted this to be a community event," Mayor Gallego told Phoenix New Times. Gallego added, "I'm hopeful we'll get some new ideas out of this contest," expressing an ambition to see Phoenix's drinking culture represented on a broader stage. The competition is set to be both broad-reaching and inclusive, asking everyday Phoenicians to quickly put together their cocktail entries by March 15, with the hopeful possibility of seeing their creations become an icon of the city, the way the Manhattan cocktail is to New York.
While competitors are to TOAST the idea of the Phoenix drink, they've got certain guidelines to follow. Among them, each cocktail must include one full ounce of Milagro Tequila, courtesy of the competition's sponsor, and should be achievable through traditional bar techniques like shaking, stirring, or throwing. The judges, a lineup of local bar royalty, will perform a blind taste test to decide the top 20 drinks which then go on to the next stage of community tastings and voting sessions scheduled throughout April and May.
The competition reflects the buzz around Phoenix's cocktail offerings that look to draw both locals and visitors alike. Metro Phoenix is already home to an impressive litany of places to grab a stand-out margarita, as reported in a recent feature by Phoenix New Times from cozy downtown bars to upscale restaurants. Whether you prefer them shaken, spicy, or sweet, margaritas across Phoenix are served with a sense of local flair and taste diversity. As "National Margarita Day" rolls around, spots like Barcoa and CRUjiente Tacos promise even more spirited twists on the classic tequila drink.
