The first new Grey Goose flavor in years, Cherry Noir. © 2012 Sugar + ShakeYoung’s Market held a Grey Goose Cherry Noir Launch Party and Cocktail Competition to kick off its first new flavor in five years. Competing for the honor and a spiffy blinged-out watch: Dave Newman (Nobu Waikiki), Ryan Sanford (Brasserie Du Vin), Chris McClure (Rivals Waikiki/Royal Hawaiian Mai Tai Bar), Tanner Mock (Apartment3), Justin Park (Manifest), Maria Burke (St. Germain/Imbibe Hawaii), Christina Maffei (Trump Waikiki), Jesse Greenleaf (Duke’s Waikiki). Winner: Newman’s “Burn-Yo-I-Out” (“Burn Your Eye Out”). I tried to get a photo of Dave with his outrageous new watch, but he is not a man that stands still much, and it was kind of poor lighting.

OK, so this competition was held, like 2 weeks ago, so I’m woefully behind on posting. In fact, I’m so behind that three of the seven bartenders no longer work where they did when they competed. But the photos are still pretty, so there ya go.

Hover over the images or head to the full gallery to see the descriptions of the drinks.

Dave Newman of Nobu (at time of competition; Dave has a new baby now: Pint & Jigger opening up in a matter of days) torching cinnamon sticks for his cocktail. © 2012 Sugar + Shake Dave’s Burn-Yo-I-Out. He promised he was going to make vodka taste like whiskey. Yeah, he pretty much did. © 2012 Sugar + Shake
Ryan Sanford of Brasserie Du Vin. © 2012 Sugar + Shake Ryan’s Blushing Goose was probably the most involved cocktail, with the prettiest presentation. We applaud the clever use of foie gras (Grey Goose, get it?), especially since it does go well with cherries, but it didn’t quite work out. It wasn’t bad, just didn’t quite hit the mark. © 2012 Sugar + Shake
Chris McClure of Rivals Waikiki and the Royal Hawaiian Mai Tai Bar. © 2012 Sugar + Shake This is Chris’s Sparkling Apple Cider. We saw he used bottled apple juice, and that’s probably what made it too sweet. Fresh-pressed would’ve made this much lighter and more refreshing. © 2012 Sugar + Shake
Tanner Mock of Apartment3 which since the competition is sadly no more. (Need to work on getting these posts up faster so they’re not so behind-the-news!) © 2012 Sugar + Shake The Nocturnal Porcupine by Tanner Mock. © 2012 Sugar + Shake
Justin Park of Manifest. © 2012 Sugar + Shake Justin’s Get Right featured espresso and chocolate bitters which didn’t go over well with everyone, but Sugar loved it and Shake liked it a lot. © 2012 Sugar + Shake
Maria Burke representing St. Germain and Imbibe Hawaii. © 2012 Sugar + Shake Maria’s Sigh No More had an incredible bourbon cherry infused syrup. She makes the most incredible infusions. © 2012 Sugar + Shake
Christina Maffei of Trump Waikiki was actually competing on her last day of work! OK, this one doesn’t count in the posted-too-late-now-the-info’s-wrong category! © 2012 Sugar + Shake Christina’s Let Them Drink Cake was like a chilled hot chocolate with lotsa lotsa bourbon flavor from the cherries. Mmmm... © 2012 Sugar + Shake
Jesse Greenleaf of Duke’s Waikiki © 2012 Sugar + Shake Jesse’s MCA (My Cherry Attempt), named in honor of Beastie Boys rapper MCA. He cleverly skewered his boozed-up cherries (a staple of the evening) with a mint sprig. © 2012 Sugar + Shake




There's Always More to Eat and Drink:

“22 Things: Nos. 2 & 3 (Chefs & Bartenders)” photo shoot for HAWAI‘I Magazine — Quinten Frye, Sheldon Simeon, Mark “Gooch” Noguchi & Chris Kajioka.Playing with the Boys Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival 2014: “Under a Maui Moon.” Kampachi with Osetra Caviar, Uni, Preserved Lemon & Toasted Quinoa by Chef Mourad Lahlou (Aziza, San Francisco). Wine pairing: 2013 Weingut Rudolf Furst ‘Pur Mineral’ Silvaner, Franken, Germany. © 2014 Sugar + ShakeHawai‘i Food & Wine Festival 2014: “Under a Maui Moon” and “Corks & Forks” New Summer 2016 Menu Tasting at Pint + Jigger. A fine summery selection of cocktails. © 2016 Sugar + ShakeSummer Lovin’ at Pint + Jigger Francesco was having a little too much fun with the liquid nitrogen. © 2012 Sugar + ShakeParadise Lost, Then Found – Hawaii Food & Wine Festival 2012 Leoda’s ode to pork. © 2012 Sugar + Shake“We Ate It” Round-Up (September 2012)