D.C.’s Top Mixologists Want To Send You To Carnevale For Free! And Have A Drink…

MOUNT VERNON SQUARE -- With the 2011 RAMMY Awards rapidly approaching on June 26th, anticipation is building among area foodies for what is surely one of the District’s largest culinary celebrations of the year.

Never ones to miss out on an opportunity to toast a special occasion, the five nominees for “Mixology/Beverage Program of the Year” at this year’s RAMMYS have each crafted a signature cocktail to celebrate the occasion, with a decidedly sweet twist:

Diners who purchase a RAMMY cocktail at any of the five participating restaurants, between now and June 20th, will be eligible to win two tickets to the gala at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel.

And to announce the introduction of the contest, Lynne Breaux, President of the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, hosted a relaxed tasting party on Wednesday night, inside the spacious walls of Mount Vernon Square’s popular KUSHI Izakaya & Sushi restaurant.

The five freshly prepared RAMMY cocktails available to order are as follows:

Is He Sharpe? -- Inspired by Isadore Sharp, founder and CEO of Four Seasons, Duane Sylvestre and Jamie MacBain at Bourbon Steak have created a cocktail made with Cruzan 9 Rum, black tea, lime juice, and a housemade vanilla peppercorn syrup.
Alewife -- ChurchKey beer master Greg Engert and mixologist Kevin Rogers concocted an innovative blend of Gin, Becherovka Liqueur, lemon juice, rich honey syrup, and egg white, topped with sparkling wine and a tincture of coriander, black pepper, and citrus peel.
Citros Gengibre Cocktail -- Jon Arroyo from Founding Farmers topped a blend of Tres Generaciones Tequila, housemade ginger beer, simple syrup, grapefruit bitters, grapefruit and lemon juices, Aperol, and a bit of cherry brandy, with a sprig of fresh mint, for an amazingly refreshing answer to the summer heat.
Perennial Tea -- Playing-up Tabard Inn’s historic and boutique roots, Chantal Tseng (represented in absentia by her talented staff) poured mugs of chilled Dandelion Tea, Plymouth Gin, Italian Vermouth, French Vermouth, and Gran Classico Bitters – all garnished with orange peel, lemon wheel, and sprigs of rosemary.
Hop Skip -- Visitors to Estadio can sample mixologist Adam Bernbach take on an Absolut Vodka and spice and salt-cured lime soda blend, with lime and basil trimmings.

Two tickets to the 2011 ‘Carnevale da Cuisine’ gala will cost $600 for non-members. And while each of the aforementioned cocktails is worthy of a night out in and of itself, a free night of gastronomic gala goodness makes a toast (or five) all the more compelling!

Bourbon Steak's Duane Sylvestre takes a flame to his 'Is He Sharpe?' cocktail, while Founding Farmers' Jon Arroyo holds-up his 'Citros Gengibre' creation.