Magnificent Bastard

Sunday, June 15, 2025



MB Cocktail Contest: alex smith vs. John Dietl

MB Cocktail Contest: alex smith vs. John Dietl

alex smith

Ingredients:
2 oz. Cruzan Single Barrel Rum (or other good quality gold rum)
.25 oz. Cane Syrup
.25 oz. Lemon Juice
.25 oz. Campari

Instructions:
Combine all ingredients, shake with ice & strain into cocktail coupe. Garnish with a wide lemon zest.

John Dietl

1.5 oz. London Dry Gin
0.5 oz. Bonded Apple Brandy
1 tsp. simple syrup (1-to-1 sugar to water)
4 drops Orange Bitters
1 lemon twist

Instructions:
1. Pour the Gin, the Apple Brandy, the simple syrup, and the bitters into a mixing vessel.
2. Stir with ice.
3. Strain into a cocktail glass.
4. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Winner: John Dietl
Score: 5-0
Game Summary: Smith's drink looked good on paper. It even smelled good. But on the tongue it was flat and one note. Dietl's drink was light and refreshing, like water chestnuts in a stir fry. A very strong cocktail.

See the full tournament field

POURCAST

BETA

Negroni

The classic Negroni is simply equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth. You can do better.

  • 5 parts Plymouth gin
  • 2 parts Campari
  • 1 part Pimm's No. 1 Cup
  • 1 part sweet vermouth
  • 1 part dry vermouth
  • 2 dashes of orange bitters

Quick shake or stir and pour into chilled Martini glass. Garnish with an orange twist.


In-Depth Negroni Coverage:

Magnificent Bartender: Negroni

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