As the summer heat sets in, the cocktail scene is getting warmer with bars reopening everywhere. SoBou at the W Hotel in the French Quarter hosted a fantastic cocktail competition featuring the fiery spirit Johnnie Walker. Six well-known craft cocktail specialists from bars around the city were asked to create brand new cocktails using Mr. Johnnie as SoBou's hors d'oeurves were passed around (love the fried chicken and strawberry brie!).
The cocktails ranged from smokey and sweet to light and refreshing. While they were all unique and amazing, I really appreciated the champagne-topped Left Hand Johnnie by Jimi Clever of Morrow's, and the mead-infused drink from Alex Vines of Fulton Alley was like nothing I've ever tasted before. The winner of the competition was Christina of Tujauge's Restaurant for The Three Fates. The cocktail was cleverly topped with a gorgeous tea blend and a mysterious swirl for a touch of whimsy.
