It'll be the fizziest of battles come Monday night as a dozen bartenders from across the state duke it out during this mocktail competition hosted by
Topo Chico mineral water and
Juniper Tar on Monday, July 10 at 5 p.m.
Benjamin Krick, bar manager for Juniper Tar, said he first approached Topo about hosting the competition after seeing bar menus across the globe loading up on mocktails, cocktails bearing no booze. For this writer, mocktails were essential during a self-imposed dry spell — it was the only way to get people to stop asking me if I need a drink.
"It's about not feeling the pressure to drink when you don't want to, and you already have a nice, well made drink in hand that's just as hand-crafted as a cocktail," Krick said while noting the uptick in bartenders who choose not to drink.
The chill event will showcase the cult following the bubbly mineral water has, along with creative recipes from bartenders from Houston, San Antonio, Laredo, and Austin. Mocktails will be judged on usee of product, taste, originality, balance, creativity, presentation and most likely to be placed on a menu.
The event, which is free to attend, will feature music by Mariachi Espuelas De Plata, Ranch Water (essentially "a way to stretch out a margarita, that's really refreshing") by
Juniper Tar, and Topo Chico swag.
244 W. Houston St., (210) 229-1833.
