John Carpo & Lion Seo, Bar Managers of Osamil & Osamil Upstairs, Winners of Best Cocktail of the Year 2023
The NY Cocktail Expo celebrated its triumphant return August 20th, 2023 after its hiatus since 2019.
Bars from all over New York City came together to compete for Best Cocktail of the Year - a beacon of creativity & innovation set once again to dazzle & define the city's cocktail landscape! It's not just a competition though; it's a declaration of the current state of cocktails, a testament to the resilience of NYC's bar scene, and a warm embrace of the vibrant community that surrounds it. Join us as we raise our glasses to the remarkable winners below who have set the stage for a spectacular comeback!
"O.E" - Osamil & Osamil Upstairs
1st Place - Best Cocktail of the Year 2023
"We made this wonderful cocktail using cucumber as the main ingredient, which is known as "O.E" in Korean.
In Korea, from 1990-2000, restaurants & bars used to give out free cucumber juice to people after drinking because cucumber contains enough sugar, vitamin B, & electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost during drinking to avoid hangovers & headaches. We wanted to create a cocktail that is also healthy, vegan, & tasty so people can drink as much as they want without worrying so much about getting hangover nor headache."
Makrut lime infused Epsolon Blanco (fresh, woody, rich taste), Cointreau, Cucumber Juice, Agave,
Black Lava Salt.
"Dread Pirate Roberts" - Lost Horizon
2nd Place - Best Cocktail of the Year 2023
"'Dread Pirate Roberts' is a modern twist on the Navy Grog/Ancient Mariner cocktail, with a dry & robust blend of baking spices. This tropical classic is taken to new depths with hints of cardamom, black pepper, & coconut. The name was inspired by the Princess Bride film, as a man who lives forever he truly is The Ancient Mariner, & I think this is a grog worthy of his title!"
Plantation Isle of Fiji, Plantation Xaymaca, Plantation O.F.T.D., Spiced Coconut Water Syrup,
Acid Adjusted Fresh Grapefruit Juice, Allspice Dram, Allspice Tincture, Saline.
"Guatemalan Slow Drip" Chinese Tuxedo
Trish Rossiene of Chinese Tuxedo
3rd Place Best Cocktail of the Year 2023
Zacapa No. 23 Rum, Coffee Infused Simple Syrup with Vanilla & Cayenne, Aromatic Bitters
For more on upcoming events, follow @nycocktailexpo on Instagram
Upcoming Events:
NY Cocktail Expo - August 18th, 2024 - Melrose Ballroom, LIC
