St. Louis’s Matt Obermark is one of 28 bartenders nationwide who will be participating in the United States Bartenders Guild Milagro Tequila Competition as part of this year’s Tales of the Cocktails convention in New Orleans.
Obermark, who tends bar at Atomic Cowboy, was selected to represent St. Louis in the July 23 competition based on the recipe submission of his original cocktail, Grove Smash. The beverage is a twist on a margarita, a crowd favorite during the summer at the Mexican restaurant located in The Grove neighborhood.
Assisting Obermark with prep on event day will be Sanctuaria’s bar manager, Matt Seiter. Sauce sends Seiter best wishes as he heads for Tales attempting to be among the first to pass the USBG Advanced Bartender Exam. Thus far, 37 aspiring bartenders from across the U.S. have taken the written exam and rigorous live practical evaluation yet none have received passing marks.
We’ll raise a glass in hopes that both of these St. Louisans find smashing success next month. We know that you will when you shake up Obermark’s Grove Smash or order it this summer at Atomic Cowboy.
– Ligaya Figueras
Grove Smash
Courtesy of Atomic Cowboy’s Matt Obermark
1 Serving
2 oz. Milagro Reposado tequila
3 1/8-inch wedges (with rind) of ruby red grapefruit, muddled
1 sprig mint, muddled
½ oz. caramel simple syrup
4 dashes lemon bitters
Mint spring for garnish
• Combine all of the ingredients in cocktail shaker then shake for 30 seconds.
• Double strain over an old-fashioned glass filled with ice.
• Garnish with a mint sprig.
This article appears in Jun 1-30, 2010.