Hip Sip - Florida | Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show

Thursday, September 6, 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM, Center Stage

Our search for the best bartender is closing in! Join us at the show as these four contestants battle for the chance to win $1,000 and of course bragging rights! Bartenders will be judged on creativity, use of product, taste, presentation and flair. Don't miss out on the opportunity to cheer on your favorite drink and/or bartender!
See you at Center Stage!

The Competitors and Cocktails:

Luis Alatorre, Villanelle (NYC)

Impulse Buy

2 oz Bourbon Whiskey
1 oz House-Made Kombucha
.5 Lemon Juice
.25 Fernet Branca
Shake and double strain, serve in a rocks glass and garnish with a dehydrated lemon wheel and mint sprig.

Garett Hagan, The Twisted Tuna

Gubba Avocolada

1 1/4 Gubba silver
3/4 Gubba gold
6 oz Avocolada mix
1 Cinnamon Stick

*Ice glass, add ingredients to mixing tin, dry shake. Pour over ice

Garnish
Cinnamon stick
Coconut cream
Avocado umbrella pineapple flag

Mark Drummond, Marriott Sawgrass

The Fire and Ice

1.5 oz of Gubba Rum Gold (vanilla)
1.5 oz pineapple juice
2 sage leafs
1.5 oz Brooklyn Crafted Extra Spicy Ginger Beer
Garnish: Candied Ginger and Sage Leaf
Glass: Coupe

Timothy Wolfe, Capa at the Four Seasons

Nouveau Sour

2oz Breckenridge Bourbon
1oz Fresh Lemon Juice
.75oz Brooklyn Ginger Beer Syrup (house made)
Bitters Foam (house made)
Garnish: Orange Peel and Black Cherry
Glass: Coupe

Meet Our Emcee Alex Barranco!

Bar Set-up & Beverage Menu Creations Consultant

Alexander Barranco, born and raised in Tampa Florida, in a large Cuban family. His family owned both a deli and a restaurant, beginning his love affair with the hospitality industry. After working a few years as a Medical Assistant, he discovered he missed being around people; he finally made the jump behind the bar 15 years ago. Since then, he has worked at various local establishments and currently, consults on bar set-up and beverage menu creations. He is the past President of the United States Bartenders' Guild Tampa Bay Chapter. Mr. Barranco enjoys traveling, the Tampa Bay Rays, and the Florida Sunshine.