As I've already blogged, there are days when my job is as mundane as it comes: fixing typos, coding HTML or sitting through insurance meetings.
There are other days, like last Thursday, when things get a little more exciting. A handful of us took on the grueling task of tasting the bourbon recipes specially whipped up for the Maker's March, a bartender contest that OnMilwaukee.com is all too happy to present.
The contest runs through the end of the month, so you still have a few days to do what we did: celebrate "bourbon month" (yes, it's a thing) by visiting the five participating bars and trying their bartender's creative takes on Maker's Mark. You readers can pick a winning recipe, and just by voting, you're entered to win a $100 gift card to one of the bars.
But our staff wasn't out to pick a winner. Rather, we went to taste these new creations. And I'm happy to report that each was a masterpiece.
Full disclosure, I'm not a bourbon drinker, but I that's what makes this contest so interesting. Bartenders know that not everyone likes this spirit, so they had to be creative when inventing their cocktails. Our group divided and conquered, and I hit three of the five bars.
First, our group hit Maxies' Southern Comfort, 6732 W. Fairview Ave. Bartender James Purtell poured a "Bourbito," which is simply a mojito made with bourbon. I was frankly surprised how well it worked, like the traditional cocktail but somehow crisper.
Next, we hit Branded, 500 W. Florida St. Brad Chrzanowski made us a "Violent Femme," a purple bourbon concoction that tasted delightfully like grape Kool Aid. Even Chrzanowski would admit that this one's for the ladies, as any non-bourbon drinker would be hard pressed to know that she's drinking some that packs such a wallop.
Co-worker Drew agreed. "Our intrepid bartender Brad at the Iron Horse pretty much admitted that this was a 'chick drink.' It was violet in color, after all, and most 'guy' cocktails are brown like a Jack 'n Coke or clear -- like a Vodka press. Though it may have looked at home with a pink umbrella garnish, the Femme packed a bit of kick, thanks to the Maker's Mark. The Curacao gave it sweetness and the grenadine gave it color, but the addition of the Maker's Mark gave it a whiskey 'finish' that made the drink palatable. I could not see myself ordering one, but I'd take a sip or two from my wife's."
My final stop of the night was the Palms Bistro, 221 N. Broadway, where Aaron Haas raised the mixology bar by making us a "Black Forrest Julep," a cocktail with sorbet, mint and limoncello that must be consumed to believe. I left tipsy and utterly impressed.
My colleagues hit the remaining spots. Reported Caroline on Dan Moore's "Bourbon Barrel" at Whiskey Bar, 788 N. Jackson St.: "The bourbon barrel was a great after dinner drink. As the ice cream melted the drink evolved and became smoother. I liked that the bourbon flavor was still distinct."
Added John, who accompanied Caroline to the Whiskey Bar: "It reminded me of the liquor-infused cakes that my Aunt Jody used to make for our family on Packers Sundays. Something juvenile about it, yet grown up at the same time. I am pretty sure I got the same little smirk on my face as I did when I was 12 and realized that dessert might make me tipsy (even though it was never strong enough to actually do that) by the time the Green and Gold would undoubtedly wrap up another win. Only this time, the bourbon hit me about 20 minutes after completion, and hit me well I might add."
Unfortunately, we couldn't find a time that worked for a tasting at Carnevor, but several have mentioned that Jason Lyden's "Old Fashion Martini" is a great spin (bourbon, of course,) on the classic cocktail. It's also a fine fit with the decor at the Milwaukee Street steakhouse.
You've still have a few days to take the Maker's March, and I highly recommend you give this bar crawl a try. Each of these drinks is a winner in its own right, but now it's your turn to cast your vote.
All of these local drink recipes as well as other Maker's Mark cocktail creations can be found here or at the link below.
Andy is the president, publisher and founder of OnMilwaukee. He returned to Milwaukee in 1996 after living on the East Coast for nine years, where he wrote for The Dallas Morning News Washington Bureau and worked in the White House Office of Communications. He was also Associate Editor of The GW Hatchet, his college newspaper at The George Washington University.
Before launching OnMilwaukee.com in 1998 at age 23, he worked in public relations for two Milwaukee firms, most of the time daydreaming about starting his own publication.
Hobbies include running when he finds the time, fixing the rust on his '75 MGB, mowing the lawn at his cottage in the Northwoods, and making an annual pilgrimage to Phoenix for Brewers Spring Training.
