SANTA PAULA, CA – To determine who has the recipes for the most creative and delicious lemon cocktails in the world, Limoneira is kicking off a series of international mixology contests.

On November 18, Los Angeles’ most distinguished bartenders and mixologists will be serving up their most inventive lemon cocktails at the Sofitel Hotel in Los Angeles.

“We’re excited about our upcoming lemon mix-off in Los Angeles and eager to see the innovative lemon cocktails these talented bartenders create,” said John Chamberlain, Limoneira’s Director of Marketing.  “This will be part of a series of competitions that will take place in New York, Chicago and Hong Kong, among others, in 2015.”

At the event, competitors will have 15 minutes to put together an original concoction for each member of the judging panel along with an additional one for presentation, according to a press release.  To get the creativity flowing, the contests have no limits on ingredients and contestants are not required to use a particular type of spirit.

The winners from each contest will face off against each other at a final round for a chance at a grand prize.  Let’s meet some of the competitors and judges participating part in the LA event.

Competitors:

Joseph Brooke, from The Edison and Mixology 101, is a fast-rising star in the mixology world.  He came to LA six years ago and has spent time working in some of LA’s most popular nightspots.  He graduated from Southern Wine & Spirits’ mixology and fine service course and received his BAR-Ready certification from AKA Wine Geek in 2010.

Brian Leon is the famed mixologist from Nobu Malibu.  For 8 years, he has served drinks to regulars at Nobu like Robert Downey Jr., Courteney Cox, Mel Gibson, Nicole Richie, Pink and more.

Melodee Murphy gained her mixology chops in the world of hotel bartending, family owned restaurants, and private events and has most recently found her home at James Republic in downtown Long Beach.

Other notable competitors Include Ferrari Watts from Rivera 31, Michael Nemcik from redclay, Nic Hirsch from Loft Bar and Montague Laguna Beach, and Patrick Reynolds from Wildcat and Santa Barbara

Judges:

Lanee Lee is a Los Angeles-based writer covering cocktails, cuisine and quirky destinations.  She is also the co-founder of Voyage Vixens, an online female-centric travel blog and YouTube series.

Lesley Jacobs Solmonson is published “Gin: A Global History” in 2012.  She is the cocktail/wine writer for the LA Weekly and also writes for Chilled magazine.

Other judges include Hadley Tomicki from Urban Daddy, Beth Fisher from Busy Beth Fisher, and Elana Lepkowski from Stir and Strain.

Guests attending the private event can watch the bartenders competing while enjoying an assortment of hors d’oeuvres, Diabolo sparkling French soda, Four Brix wine, handcrafted Italian liqueurs from Venturs Limoncello Company, and lemon-centric libations from Greenbar Craft Distillery.

Good luck to all of the mixologists participating in this event!

Limoneira