Mr Malachi Topping, a fantastic Bartender at the Thoroughbred Club, Charleston Place Hotel, is one of the top ten finalists in the Travel and Leisure magazine Beverage Arts Challenge.
Hotel bartenders around the United States were asked to come up with an original cocktail featuring Grand Marnier; and Malachi’s entry - the “Grand Pomme”- was voted one of the top ten of all the entries.
This in itself is a fantastic achievement considering the prestigious judges: James Beard Award nominee Dale DeGroff; Tony Abou-Ganim, co-owner of Bar Milano in Gramercy Park, New York City; Jim Meehan, a writer for several food and beverage publications and owner of PDT, a lounge in New York City; as well as Eben Freeman, partner of the Collins Bar at Hell’s Kitchen in New York.
Cocktail lovers are now asked to vote for their favorite Grand Marnier cocktail on the Travel and Leisure website. This vote will determine the top three finalists. Express your preference by following this link:
The top three finalists will compete for the title of “Grand Mixologist” during a live competition to be held in Los Angeles in December. The winning Barman will be awarded a luxurious trip for two to the Bahamas, and celebrated with an article in Travel and Leisure magazine.
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Recipe for the “Grand Pomme”
¼ of a Red Delicious Apple
½ oz simple syrup
½ oz fresh lemon juice
1 dash Angostura aromatic bitters
1oz La Captive Calvados
2oz Grand Marnier
½ oz Rare Wine Co. Charleston Sercial Madeira
Shake all ingredients vigorously in a shaker with ice.
Strain into a martini glass, garnish with an apple slice and serve.
Cheers!
Amelia Scott
Sales & Marketing Executive, Charleston Place Hotel
