The crowd was rocking and the competition was tight at the 2nd Annual Margarita Standoff held on Monday.
Eight of the area’s top bartenders took part in this year’s event. They were randomly assigned either tequila or mezcal as their base and give 20 minutes to craft their margaritas.
The winning bartenders were:
- Best Overall: “The Land of the Long White Cloud” by Al Thompson of barmini by José Andrés
- Best Taste: “The Land of the Long White Cloud” by Al Thompson of barmini by José Andrés
- Best Name: “The Oust Trump” by Jo-Jo Valenzeula, a freelance bartender and beverage consultant
- Best Garnish: “The Golden Panda” by Christine Kim of Service Bar
Thompson was also the Best Overall winner of the 2016 Margarita Standoff.
Hosted by Quarter+Glory, the Margarita Standoff was organized by Mi Agency in partnership with the DC Chapter of the U.S. Bartenders Guild. The liquor sponsors for the competition included Vida, Avion Corzo, Cazadores, and Patron tequilas; Ilegal, El Buho and Siete Misterios mezcals; and Cointeau triple sec liqueur.
All photos by Simon Kim.
