Amnesia wins the Mix Master Bartender contest, appropriately enough
I took my judging job seriously during the DeKuyper Mix Master Bartender Contest at Saturday's Denver Food & Wine event, tasting eight cocktails. Really tasting eight cocktails, since these were complex concoctions (a DeKuyper product had to be part of the mix) that demanded my full attention.![]()
Nancy Levine Ken Kody, Mix Master
The ultimate victor: Ken Kody of Bacaro in Boulder, whose winning drink was named Amnesia, appropriately enough.
Here's how to make it: In a mixing cup, blend 2 parts DeKuyper Ragin' Root Beer Schnapps plus 1 part DeKuyper Hot Damn plus 1 part Irish Cream. Serve in a shot glass.
My personal favorite?
The Curious George, concocted by Nick Kropp, a bartender at Happy Noodle House. It was made with Basil Hayden -- the alcohol equivalent of bacon, in my opinion. It makes everything better.
Here's how to make it: In a mixing cup, blend 1.5 oz (Basil Hayden's) Bourbon plus 1.5 oz DeKuyper's Crème de Banana plus 0.25 oz fresh lemon juice (with a squeeze of egg white). Shake with ice, strain into cocktail glass with banana as garnish.
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Nancy Levine Whiskey Professor David Mays pours it on, while Ken Kody and Anika Zappe listen.






















