A Saucy congrats to T.J. Vytlacil (pictured, left) for placing third in the Greater Kansas City Bartending Competition this past weekend. His original drink, Silver and Sand, is a variation of the scotch-based cocktail Blood and Sand. Vytlacil’s recipe calls for 12-year Balvenie infused with lemon and ginger, Cherry Heering liqueur, fresh lemon juice, Lillet Rouge, lemon bitters and egg white.
Vytlacil, who has been tending bar for seven years and currently stirs and shakes at Franco in Soulard, squared off against 11 other contestants, including fellow St. Louisan Chris Muether (pictured, right) of Danno’s American Pub. Also on hand was nationally lauded mixologist Ted Kilgore (also pictured) of Taste by Niche, who served as one of the judges.
This year – the fourth for the competition – was the largest yet. Bartenders from as far away as the East Coast submitted an original recipe for the event and an estimated 500 cocktail lovers packed the Uptown Theatre in Kansas City to watch the finalists in action.
More on our coverage of the Greater Kansas City Bartender Competition
More on our coverage of TJ Vytlacil
This article appears in Aug 1-31, 2010.