The last few weeks have been busy in The Minty land. I was in Seattle and Portland last month namely for Portland Cocktail Week. While I just finished posting about Seattle, it’s been a bit tougher gathering my thoughts about Portland Cocktail Week. There were so many seminars, activities and parties but one of my favorite events was Speed Rack. Organized by LUPEC-NYC (Ladies United for the Preservation of Endangered Cocktails) and produced by Lush Life Productions (also the co-producer of PDXCW), Speed Rack raises money for breast cancer research.

This Sunday, November 13 from 3-7 PM, Speed Rack comes to the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood. Eighteen LA bartenders will be competing and the winner will be crowned Miss Speed Rack LA. She wins a trip to New York to compete in the finals.

Tickets are $20 online and $25 at the door. Four hundred people are expected so you better get your tickets now!

Besides watching the fun competition, you get punches, cocktails, beer and food. The atmosphere really reminded me of roller derby, a sport that I love. Fierce and female!

• Kiowa Bryan (Eveleigh)
• Anne Marie Ceralvo (The Spare Room)
• Danielle Crouch (Caña Rum Bar)
• Christine D’Abrosca (Next Door Lounge)
• Jaclyn Goodyear (Killer Shrimp)
• Jennifer Lane (Black Market Liquor Bar)
• Jen Len (Drago Centro)
• Tammy Machicado (Night & Day Productions)
• Meghan Malloy (La Descarga)
• Jaymee Mandeville (Drago Centro)
• Mia Mastroianni (Soho House West Hollywood)
• Lacey Murillo (1886, Black Market)
• Lindsay Nader (Harvard & Stone)
• Gracy Ramirez (Dog Haus)
• Mia Sarazen (Harvard & Stone, Black Market)
• Naomi Schimek (The Spare Room)
• Devon Tarby (The Varnish)
• Kylee Van Dillen (Westside Tavern)

(thanks to Thirsty in LA for the list)

Here are some highlights from PDX!

I love that Audrey Saunders from Pegu Club took this picture with Jennifer Heigl from Daily Blender. The two are often mistaken for each other. When introduced as a judge, Audrey show what her mama gave her in support of boobies.

Besides raffle tickets, you could pay for a smooch or two. All for a good cause!

Watching a bartending competition has its advantages. Lots and lots of booze from really great sponsors like:

Absolut vodka, Beefeater gin, Cointreau liqueur, Herradura tequila, Plymouth gin, Famous Grouse scotch, Brugal rum, Rhum Clement, Rhum JM, Becherovka, Kahlua, Pernod, Chambord, Macchu Pisco, Barritt’s Ginger Beer, Perfect Puree, St-Germain, Fever Tree sodas, Abita beer, Perrier and Acqua Panna, among others

First the four judges request their drinks. The two bartenders make each of the four drinks. Judges only judge the two cocktails in front of them. Besides trying to be the fastest, you have to be the most accurate. Time is added to your base time. Although you may have initially beat the other bartender on time, your score could potentially go up for penalties like having too warm of a glass, off-taste, etc.

Judges take their job seriously. At the PDX competition, a drag queen by the name of Poison Waters ordered cocktails like Moscow Mules and Cosmopolitans. She says she knows a good Cosmo when she has one. Beside her is Misty Kalkofen from Drink in Boston and also from LUPEC-Boston. The fourth judge was Charlotte Voisey. Some industry heavy hitters!

For the LA competition,  Aidan Demarest from Neat, Hollis Bulliet of Bulliet Whiskey, Jessica Gelt from LA Times and Dr. Cocktail Ted Haigh will serve as judges.

The initial competition in New York raised $3500. Boston raised $5000 and Portland raised $3600. C’mon LA, let’s raise some money for breast cancer research!

See you on Sunday!

Sunday, November 13

Blossom Room – Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel
7000 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 466-7000

Tickets online only $20, $25 cash only at the door

3-7PM