Announcing: Bootlegger 21 NY Vodka’s Amateur Cocktail Showdown!

Bootlegger 21 Vodka, made right here in New York, is hosting a cocktail competition for budding drink-slingers. Three finalists will compete in a live showdown at the Bootlegger 21 launch party, an exclusive Cotton Club-themed bash in SoHo on April 16. Finalists will serve a crowd of thirsty industry veterans [including yours truly] and the winner will be selected by popular vote. Use of Bootlegger 21 as the primary ingredient, flavor, creativity, appearance and practicality will all be factors.

The contest is calling for original cocktail recipes that express the spirit of the Bootlegger and the Jazz Age.  Bootlegger 21 is distilled six times from 100% corn and made in the Hudson Valley.  The vodka has been awarded Gold medals from both the New York International Spirits Competition and from Beverage Testing Institute.

Requirements: * Recipe must use Bootlegger 21 Vodka as the primary ingredient * Please use no more than 5 ingredients (not including garnish) * Include your story of how you came to appreciate mixology * Submit a photo

The winner will celebrate their victory with 4 tickets to the Manhattan Cocktail Classic Gala on May 13, win the title of Bootlegger Amateur Mixologist 2011, and have the opportunity to mix cocktails at an upcoming Bootlegger 21 event.

Entrants must be 21 years of age and older. Cocktail recipes must be submitted by 5 p.m., Friday April 8 to BootleggerMixology@Gmail.com.

Good luck!

Selena Ricks-Good

Selena Ricks-Good is a New York-based writer and digital strategist with more than 15 years in journalism, brand development, and content marketing. Her writing on food, drinks, travel, and culture has appeared in CBS New York, Time Out New York, Village Voice, and Thrillist. She founded Little Good Life to fill the gap she kept hitting in her own life: thoughtful, opinionated travel writing for families whose kids are past the stroller years. She lives in New York with her husband and a travel-soccer-playing teenage son who has firm opinions about crudo, boba, and pizza.