4 Orange Premium Vodka Names Miami's Master Mixologist, Paul Sevigny

On Monday, Jan. 31, Gab witnessed (and tasted) the creativity of master mixologists during the 4 Orange Classic Cocktail Competition Semi-Finals in Miami Beach.


The Winning Cocktail - Purple Haze

Miami’s top mixologists and bartenders competed at Eden for a chance to win a $500 cash prize and to advance to the First Annual Classic Competition. Competition was stiff, as were the drinks, but Paul Sevigny from the Florida Room at the Delano utlimately won with his original ‘Purple Haze,' paired with Skirt Steak.



1.5 oz. 4 Orange Vodka

1 oz. Red Zinfandel

.5 oz. Lemon Juice

.5 oz. Orange Flower Honey

Barspoon of Fig Preserve.

Sevigny poured his creation in a mason jar for a rustic feel, adding ice crushed with a meat cleaver for an old-school touch. Then, he placed a thyme garnish and sun-dried fig, and, last but not least, a steel straw. Beautiful.


Sevigny will now show off his skills alongside other nationwide Semi-Final winners at the First Annual Classic Cocktail Competition, held during the 2011 Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival. At stake are a $3,000 cash prize and the title of U.S. Champion 2011.

Winner Paul Sevigny

4 Orange Premium Vodka, the proud Silver Sponsor of the Festival, will participate in the Wine Spectator Trade Tasting and the Whole Foods Market Grand Tasting Village.













  

Gab's Top Picks for South Beach Wine & Food Festival 2011

It's never too early to start thinking about food. That being said, the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, Florida's famous five-day foodie fest, is less than a month away!

Here are Gab's top picks for the SoBe Wine & Food Fest 2011:

Thursday, Feb. 24

7 to 11 p.m.
The Brilliance of France at The Biltmore Hotel. Beautiful food, beautiful hotel, and (we're guessing) beautiful guests. How can everything not be gorgeous in the historic Coral Gables hotel where presidents, royalty, celebrities (famous and infamous, like Al Capone) have stayed?
 

Friday, Feb. 25

1 to 4 p.m.

Gab will be in attendance at the invite-only 4 Orange Premium Vodka Classic Cocktail Competition as competitors take to the Wine Spectator Trade Tasting stage. Using 4 Orange Premium Vodka, the world's only vodka made from pure Florida oranges, mixologists from all over the country will present their fresh take on the Next Classic Cocktail for a panel of expert judges. The winner, whose cocktail is judged based on appearance, aroma, taste, and overall impression, receives $3,000, a trophy and certificate, and the coveted title of "4 Orange Vodka U.S. Champion 2011.”

1 to 4 p.m.

Power pair Emeril Lagasse and Martha Stewart host the 10-year anniversary celebration Let Them Eat Cake, presented by Ocean Drive. However, we suspect the cocktails, confections and champagne (Moet & Chandon) will steal the spotlight.

Saturday, Feb. 26

3 to 4 p.m.
Danny Meyer Shake Shack Seminar at the W. Shake Shack may be new to South Beach, but it's an old favorite of ours.

7 to 10 p.m.
Thrillist's BBQ & the Blues, hosted by Tyler Florence at The Raleigh Hotel.

7 to 11 p.m.
Wine + Dine + Design, presented by Gilt City, in the Design District.

10 p.m. to 1 a.m.
The Best Thing I Ever Ate at the Beach hosted by Duff Goldman and presented by Food Network. The Food Network show that is literally impossible to sit through without getting up to go to the kitchen.

Sunday, Feb. 27

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Paula’s Down Home Cookin’ Sunday Gospel Brunch hosted by Paula Deen. If you've ever or seen her kneading buttery dough with rings on every finger, or heard her drawled-out y'aaaall, you understand why this is a must-see.

2 to 3 p.m.
Prohibition Cocktails Clinic with Zane Lamprey, Bank of America Lifestyle Seminars. Like being in an episode of Boardwalk Empire, without getting offed.

11 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Dim Sum & Disco at the Setai hosted by Ming Tsai, presented by Groupon


The countdown has officially begun. See you in South Beach!