Iron Bartender: These Bartenders Make Blue Cheese Drinkable

Three bar masters. Three “secret” ingredients. One judge. Would Beijing’s cocksure mixologists fumble when faced with an unusual condiment or unfamiliar fruit? Or can they concoct a drink to impress one tough taster? In the spirit of Iron Chef, we put our bartenders to the test by announcing a secret ingredient, giving them ten minutes to conceive of and create a mix, and finding out just how creative a cocktail can get.

The Contestants:

Jason Lv, Hatsune
Jason attributes his mixology skills to his year of bartending at Hatsune, an opportunity he took after working in the restaurant’s purchasing department. His specialty is his version of the mojito, a mix of dark and light rum and bitters that packs a punch. Hatsune launched a new drinks menu, so Jason is now serving up a Sake Bomb and Sake Martini.

Quinn Johnson, BBC
Quinn got his start from the masters behind the Marquee Restaurant and Lounge in Taipei. Before coming to Beijing, Quinn worked in cocktail lounges in the US and competed in Bombay Sapphire’s Most Imaginative Bartender in America contest in 2012. Now, he experiments without a menu at BBC, where you can find him Sunday to Tuesday.

Paca Lee, Ramo
Paca Lee is a self-taught bartender who is running two restaurants in Beijing’s hutongs. What started as a hobby to entertain friends has turned into a  four-and-a-half-year career at her bar/restaurant, The Box. She most enjoys working with whiskey, so she is making that the focus of her winter drinks list for her newly-opened pizza joint, Ramo.  

The Judge:

Francesco Angotti, The Bar at Migas
Francesco is well acquainted with contests, having won and even judged a few of his own, including Italy’s Bartime National Competition in 1998 and Spain’s Bacardi Legacy Competition, and, more recently, the Diageo World Class Competition, which had him placing among top bartenders in China.  Look for his new cocktail menu later this month.

Round 1. Secret Ingredient: Energy Drink

Paca, "Clink"
Tequila Olmeca Blanco, Martini Rosso, and energy drink, garnished with lemon wedge and chocolate

Quinn, "Nutty Squirrel"
Cognac, hazelnut liqueur, coconut cream, lemon juice, energy drink, dry orange and granola

Jason, "Basil Burn"
Basil leaves, gin, cherry brandy, sugar syrup, lime juice, and energy drink, garnished with lime

Verdict: Everyone’s ability to incorporate the energy drink into their cocktail recipe pleasantly surprised Francesco at the end of a difficult round, but it was Quinn’s presentation that stole the show.

Round 2. Secret Ingredient: Blue Cheese

Paca, "Ragazza Moderna"
Cucumber, broccoli, lime juice, sugar syrup,   white rum, toast, cheese and crispy ham

Quinn, "Tennessee Blue Dog"
Jack Daniel’s Gold, vermouth, BBQ sauce, cheese, braised onions, and balsamic vinegar

Jason, "Miao Bai Wei"
Vodka, Grand Marnier, lime juice, grenadine, sugar syrup, tomato juice, bitters, and Tabasco

Verdict: Jason wins for a good-looking drink that tastes like a Bloody Mary, but actually is a cocktail with a unique concept – just a tad too sweet. Paca’s appetizer in a glass could use a touch more alcohol.

Round 3. Secret Ingredient: Pomelo

Paca, "Memory"
Three slices pomelo, 90 ml red wine, 90 ml soda, 30 ml Maker’s Mark Bourbon

Quinn, "Tony Montana Cocktail"
Cocalero, green tea syrup, grapefruit juice, mint, orange bitters, and pomelo

Jason, "Pomelito"
White and spiced rums, Grand Marnier, sugar syrup, lemon and pomelo juice, mint, and bitters

Verdict: Quinn wins for his balanced combination of tea, pomelo, and the flavor-enhancing grapefruit juice. Jason overdid it on the sugar and spiced rum, while Paca’s wine and soda mix proves to be too dry.

Photos: Ken