This competition became an opportunity for bartenders to connect during a time when bars were closed. The judges and finalists pulled off a fully virtual competition (video calls and remote tastings were involved), which culminated in our Seattle's very own Mark Sassi winning the $10,000 grand prize.

Mark’s winning recipe can be found below.

The Gentleman’s Way

Ingredients

• 2 ounces Gentleman Jack whiskey
• 1 ounce lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 1/2 ounce grapefruit sherbet*
• 1/2 ounce cinnamon gomme**
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• Garnish: lemon twist 
• Garnish: mint bouquet

Steps

1. Add all ingredients into a shaker with cracked ice and shake until well-chilled. 
2. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. 
3. Garnish with a lemon twist and a mint bouquet. 

*Grapefruit sherbet: Combine the zest of one grapefruit with the weight of sugar that is equal to the juice pressed from the grapefruit. Mix zest and sugar and set aside for 30 to60 minutes. Then combine juice and oleo-saccharum in a small pot over medium heat and stir until sugar dissolves. Strain, bottle and refrigerate sherbet until use.

**Cinnamon gomme: Combine 150 grams sugar, 75 grams water and 9 grams gum arabic in a blender and blend for 60 seconds. Transfer into a heatproof vessel and add one crushed cinnamon stick. Place the vessel into a water basin that has been heated to 145°F with an immersion circulator. Heat mixture for 2 hours. Then place the mixture in a refrigerator for 12 to 24 hours. Strain out the solids, bottle and refrigerate until use.