HOOD RIVER, Ore., Jan. 16, 2018 — The United States Bartenders’ Guild today announced a national cocktail contest, sponsored by Lucid Absinthe Supérieure, to find the next Cocktail Classique Champion.

Open to any working mixologist across the country, the contest seeks to find the talent behind the most creative cocktails using Lucid Absinthe. The winning mixologist will be awarded a trip to the Combier Distillery in the Loire Valley, France, where Lucid Absinthe is made according to traditional French methods.

Once a core ingredient in most classic cocktails, absinthe was banned in the United States for 95 years. Following efforts by research scientist turned distiller T.A. Breaux, the ban was repealed in 2007, and Lucid Absinthe Supérieure became the first authentic absinthe to be legally sold in the US.

“It’s been more than 10 years since the repeal of the ban, yet many mixologists are still exploring the best ways to use absinthe beyond a rinse,” said Keri Meuret, Brand Manager, Lucid Absinthe. “We’re thrilled to partner with the USBG to educate their members and the US mixology community as a whole about authentic absinthes and to encourage them to experiment and find innovative ways to accent the botanicals at the core of this wildly versatile spirit.”

Interested applicants should create a unique recipe using at least ½ ounce of Lucid Absinthe and submit the recipe to https://usbartendersguild.formstack.com/forms/cocktail_classique. Entries will be accepted January 15 through February 23 at 11:59pm PDT. The field of entries will be evaluated by a panel of USBG experts.

Cocktails will be judged on appearance, aroma, creativity, taste and ability to enhance, not overwhelm, the botanicals used in Lucid.

Ten semi-finalists will be selected in each of five regions (Western, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast and Southeast) and compete in a live shake-off in each of the regions to be held in March – July, with specific dates to be announced. The winner of each semi-final will be invited to compete in the Cocktail Classique Finals in New Orleans in August.

Additional information is available on Lucid’s Facebook page, the Lucid Website and the USBG website.

Leave a Comment.