10 of Philadelphia’s Top Mixologists Stirred Up their Ultimate Manhattan

Philly Spotlight:

Woodford Reserve Manhattan Experience 2016

By Tinsel & Tine Editor, Le Anne Lindsay

I went to this event held at Power Plant Productions ( 230 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106) back in February!!! It was really fun and the kind of happening I enjoy recapping, but I just got really behind in posts and it just kept getting pushed back and pushed back, until it was no longer on my radar. Recently, I was looking through some older images on my camera and saw these from the Woodford Reserve Manhattan Experience and decided it still deserves its time in the Philly Spotlight!

The competition comprised of Philly mixologists and local bartenders offering their best Manhattan Cocktail for attendees to taste and judge.  In addition, each competitor created and prepared a signature cocktail made with Woodford Reserve Double Oaked, live in front of a panel of judges.

Loved these hipsters in attendance – Central Casting, right?!

This is the kind of event which makes it difficult to pace oneself – to judge fairly, I had to try a Manhattan from each competitor . And in order to feel confident the judges judged correctly on the signature drinks, I had to try each of those creations, totaling 20 cocktails, plus 2 glasses of champagne.  It’s also these types of soirees which made moving closer to Center City two years ago a must! I was able to happily slosh my way to the trolley which deposited me in West Philly without even losing my buzz.

What I no longer have are any notes on what I thought of each drink – sorry.  But I do have the audio of each mixologist describing their signature cocktail:

Voted People’s Choice Winner!

Click play button below to hear recipe for Frank’s Signature Cocktail

Food Interlude – Caterer Power Events Chef and owner Ashley Hess Power

Click play button below to hear recipe for Nathan’s Signature Cocktail

Click play button below to hear recipe for Jeff’s Signature Cocktail

Click play button below to hear recipe for Kristopher’s Signature Cocktail

Click play button below to hear recipe for Paul’s Signature Cocktail

Click play button below to hear recipe for Scott’s Signature Cocktail

AND THE WINNER WAS!!!

Ben Hash of Horse Inn

Click play button below to hear recipe for Ben’s Signature Cocktail

Hash’s winning Manhattan recipe, “Emperor and Oak” was inspired by abnormality. His idea was most whiskey drinks are either on the citrus side or vermouth side of the palette. Looking to find a new angle, he used healthier ingredients and a unique technique to craft his winning cocktail.

Emperor and Oak:


2 part(s) Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 
1 part(s) Concentrated Imperial Grade Matcha Green Tea 
.25 part(s) Fresh Pressed Lime Juice 
.25 part(s) Cointreau Orange Liquor 
.5 part(s) Honey Simple Syrup 
.5 part(s) Raw Egg Whites 

Add all ingredients to a shaker tin. Warn customer of potential joy. Dry shake without ice) until all ingredients are incorporated and beginning to froth. Add ice, and shake with vigor and passion. Double strain cocktail into glass with care and respect. Admire. Place stencil of selected leaf over rim of glass, being careful not to disrupt the placid and welcoming froth on top of cocktail. Dust Matcha through stencil. Remove and admire.

Hash advanced to the final round which took place in New York with 6 finalist from around the country; however, the coveted honor of 2016 Woodford Reserve Manhattan Experience Winner went to Nashville, Tennessee bartender Jonathan Howard on April 18th – so see my post isn’t that out-of-date after all.

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