Portland's competative spirits - er, cocktails

I'm not by nature a competitive person (chalk that up to a healthy self-awareness. I know where my talents are and I know where my talents aren't [the "aren't" list is much, much longer]).

But a cocktail competition? Now that I can get into. I'm hardly a cocktail connoisseur, but I'm willing to try new drinks things.

Last night was Portland's first Signature Cocktail Competition. And no endless downpour was going to steer me away.

The event pits participating bars/restaurants against each other. Each venue concocts its own signature drink - and we lucky tasters get to try them all and vote for our favorite.

It's a tough job, I know.

The cocktail crawl started at Portland Harbor Hotel where we picked up our passes and maps (and a goodie bag of freebies including a shot glass, some sweets, tea and other stuffs).

The competitors included: Eve's at the Garden (at Portland Harbor Hotel), DiMillo's, Ri Ra, Vignola and Una.

We tasters could chart whatever course we wished, so long as we were back at Una by 7:00 pm for the vote.

So my drinking cohort and I went down the hall to the bar and got started.

Eve's at the Garden: Apple Crisp Martini

Behind the bar, Jeff was mixing his new creation. The Apple Crisp Martini is perfect for fall. It is apple picking time after all, and Jeff clearly put some thought into it. It's the kind of drink that makes you feel the season (think Pumpkinhead beer). I had Christmas in a bottle once. This drink is fall in a glass. I half expected to see fallen leaves sunken to the bottom.

What's in it:
Maine apple cider, simple syrup with apple crisp spices, Circo vodka and a caramel and apple crisp rim.

The free sample was good. Really good. The word I used to describe it at the time: fall-y. True, fall-y isn't a real word, but you get my drift.

I opted to upgrade my cocktail to a full size for $4.

DiMillo's: Red Lobster Martini

We meandered over to Dimillo's next. The bar was busy, but we managed to snag seats (I had no idea Sunday evening drinking was such a hit here).

I expected a bold red cocktail - maybe with a lobster skewer (you know, because it's DiMillo's and they're into that whole lobster thing).

Instead the cocktail was on par with a strawberry mudslide. It would make for a decent after-dinner drink, but was too sweet to have much of. Perhaps it was a little too frozen for the season too. I got a chill just looking at it.

What's in it: Amaretto, Frangelico, Godiva chocolate liqueur, strawberry and vanilla mix.

Ri Ra: Irish Aphrodite Martini

Off to Ri Ra, where the upstairs bar was quieter (much to our relief - we needed food in a bad way). The Irish Aphrodite Martini was bright - it looked the way a cocktail should. It was sweet, though not too summer-like. I could surely have had a full one of those (though I didn't - I don't want to go overboard here, people! Quit pressuring me).

What's in it: Chambord, triple sec, Boru vodka, fresh raspberries and fresh squeezed lemon juice.

Vignola: Peach Basil Lemonade

Vignola was packed with diners (those would be legitimate patrons - not like us jerks just looking for a free sip of booze). Unfortunately that meant some standing and waiting at the bar. We hadn't managed our time very well (lingered too long over the potato cakes and crab dip at Ri Ra) and 7:00 pm was upon us.

But sometimes waiting is worth it - and that was the case for the Peach Basil Lemonade cocktail. My glass had more basil in it that the others, which meant that the drink smelled like pureed plantlife. Gardens smell good, to be sure, but I don't want to drink them.

The initial basil smell was soon forgotten, though. The drink was tart and light - perfect for summer. But summer is gone, gone, gone.

What's in it: Maine peaches and basil, fresh squeezed lemon juice, Citrus vodka and a "secret ingredient."

Una: Stargazer

Our final destination - Una. I was bummed to learn that the cocktail, Stargazer, has been on the drink list for some time. It took the fun out of it. Where's the effort?

But this is a "Don't mess with what works" situation, because the cocktail not only looks pretty, it tastes pretty. Er, it tastes delightful. I've had a few cocktails by now, cut me some slack.

A powdery silver sheen is sprinkled in, which looks all celestial and whatnot, but I couldn't help but wonder if the powder would seep into my bloodstream and cause fits or premature gray.

What's in it: Absolut mandarin & citron vodkas, Quady Electra Orange Muscat, white cranberry and sliver sheen. A final flourish: a flower floats on top.


It was a fine collection of cocktails. Applause all around. But there could only be one winner.

[Drum roll and dramatic pause]

The Apple Crisp Martini from Eve's at the Garden came away with the title. That's also where I placed my vote. Jeff took the time to consider the season, came up with an excellent drink (one that I plan to go back for) and served it with enthusiasm. He earned it.

In second: Una's Stargazer

In third: Ri Ra's Irish Aphrodite Martini

But in the world of cocktail crawls, there are no losers. We all left Una last night with that warm world-loving cocktail haze.

Here's hoping this event grows in 2009 and the competitive spirits really blossom (and it doesn't rain). Until then, you can still get out to Eve's, DiMillo's, Ri Ra, Vignola and Una and try the cocktails yourself. I usually don't know what I'm talking about anyway.

Besides, it'd be a good way to thank the places that participated - and ensure they're back on the cocktail bus next year.

[See photos of some of the folks I spotted cocktailing]