THE LOCALS
BARTENDER CHALLENGE
BRINGING PRIDE TO BARTENDERS NEFT premium vodka celebrates the addition of its pride barrel
By Mary Kate Patterson
AUSTRIAN-BASED NEFT VODKA CHALLENGED SEVEN BARTENDERS ACROSS FLORIDA AND TEXAS TO CREATE COCKTAILS USING ITS AWARD-WINNING VODKA. THE BRAND PERMANENTLY ADDED A PRIDE BARREL TO ITS COLLECTION AND ASKED BARTENDERS TO CHOOSE A BARREL AND SHARE WHY THEY MADE THEIR CHOICE. NEFT IS MADE FROM WATER DRAWN FROM THE RHAETIAN ALPS AND FOUR ANCIENT GRAINS OF RYE, ALL PACKAGED IN A STURDY AND UNIQUE BARREL FORMAT. THE THREE DESIGNED BARRELS COME IN WHITE, BLACK, AND RAINBOW AND ARE MORE DURABLE AND SUSTAINABLE THAN GLASS.
Fernanda ‘Cubby’ Rossano
NICKEL CITY (FT. WORTH), DALLAS, TEXAS
“Black is stark and classic. It looked sexy. I wanted the cocktail to pop with the barrel. It was very smooth and clean with a bit of bite but a good mouthfeel. During this pandemic, I played a lot of video games with all my out-of-work friends. Then there were canceled trips, and all I wanted was an escape. I just daydreamed about what an epic time I’d have soon enough. Until then, I’ll crush this cocktail and take myself there.”
Electric Wave INGREDIENTS
1¼ oz. NEFT Vodka ¼ oz. Blue Curaçao Tbsp. passion fruit syrup* 1 oz. orgeat ¾ oz. lemon juice PREPARATION
54
CHILLED MAGAZINE
*Passion fruit syrup: mix equal parts passion fruit puree and simple syrup (1:1). Combine all ingredients in a shaker and mix, strain into a glass full of ice and garnish with a dehydrated lemon wheel.
