One thing’s for sure about The Art of Mixology: It wasn’t your grandparents’ cocktail party.
Sure, there was a hosted bar where you could order up a mixed drink, soda or even a brewski. But that’s where the similarity ends.
Stationed throughout the gallery on Santa Fe Drive were master mixologists from five popular watering holes and one distillery. They’d been encouraged to let their imaginations run wild and create libations that would impress not just the 300 guests, but a panel of five judges who’d pick a winner by evening’s end.
And you’re right if you’re wagering that not a single one of the drinks was a scotch rocks.
The Judges’ Choice Award was for , an amazing concoction that Billie Keithley of whipped up from Breckenridge Bourbon whiskey, Worcestershire sauce, brown-sugar syrup and mango-ginger soda. The latter two ingredients were made from scratch.
Guests also cast their vote by dropping a colored stone into the oversized martini glass that was anchored at every station. The People’s Choice prize went to Carla Chang of and her tart but very tasty Hibiscus Sour.
Donnell Cowell of The Corner Office named his fruity riff on a Singapore Sling “With 6 You Get Eggroll;” Bobby Rayburn of Duo put the heat on with his spicy “Pepper Drop.” Courtney Wilson and Carrie Scroggins of Williams & Graham offered a savory “Gin Basil Smash,” while Ryan DiFranco of TAG and DiFranco’s Italian Deli put a little kick in his “Rhythmic Passion” by making muddled jalapeño peppers a key ingredient.
The Art of Mixology was the annual Banner event for , a Denver Art Museum support group made up of young professionals with an interest in art. Dina Chaiffettz, Rachel Miño Gaede and Nicole Jarman were the chairs; judges were Fox31’s Greg Nieto; Heidi McGuire of 9News; Denver Post Colorado Style editor Suzanne Brown; Eater Denver editor Lauren Hendrick; and Terry Vitale, publisher of Colorado Expression.
Vitale’s daughter, Piper, a graphic designer, is a member of the CultureHaus board, and was there with her fiancé, architect Joel Pehrson.
While cocktails were the benefit’s focal point, there were other amusements, too: an ice-carving demonstration by Michael Campe; mojito-making instruction by Erik Cattrelle; a number by the belly dancers; an urban dance showcase by Jennifer Archer and Christopher Meis of BoundLifeAndChaosKreations; mixed beats from DJGinger Perry; bountiful snacks by Gourmet Fine Catering and Happy Cakes; and an after-party at the nearby Interstate Kitchen and Bar.
CultureHaus board chairs Dan Prather, Jim Guttau and Jenn McIntire circulated through a crowd that also included Tony Smith, operations director of the Cherry Creek Arts Festival, and his husband, Jim Peterson; artist Lisa Calzavara; Darrin Alfred, associate curator of the Denver Art Museum’s Department of Architecture, Design and Graphics; Lydell Peterson; Court Earp; Keith Ambuhl; Andres Peña; Streeter McClure; Joshua Vanengen; and Michael Mowry.
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com; also, blogs.denverpost.com/style and @GetItWrite on Twitter
