Cointreau Ambassador of Libations - Cannes Fim Festival 2013

Benjamin Smith prepares his cocktails for the first round of competition

7x7's very own Noel Kvisler with friend J. M. Hood

Ron Elder and Melissa Suaza stop for a picture with their Cointreau cocktails

Guests enjoying the first round of competition

John Britton shaking up a fresh batch of Cointreau drinks for guests

Guests enjoyed music by Jupiter as they sipped their Cointreau drinks

Micky Tal and Ellian Raffoul enjoy their Cointreau together

Sarah Zeiger and Liz Curtis dancing the night away

indulge in one the Brixton's yummy bites

Brian Means readies his first Cointreau cocktail for the judges

Yael Amyra shows off her pretty Cointreau drinks

Keli Rivers smiles as she presents her first cocktail

Shaher Misif maintains a poker face upon approaching the judges

Benjamin Smith poses with his first Cointreau cocktail

Brian Means sharing a laugh with the judges in the first round

Joel Teitelbaum proudly displays his Cointreau cocktail

Meryll Cawn with her rendition of the perfect Cointreau cocktail

Judge, Frank Jakubka, utilizes all of his senses to make his decision

The second round "Iron Chef" competition underway

unwrap their secret ingredient for the second round of competition

The aftermath of the "Iron Chef" second round

Joel Teitelbaum's winning Cointreau cocktail

On Tuesday, September 11th, The Brixton hosted the San Francisco regional finals for the Cointreau Ambassador of Libations - Cannes Film Festival 2013 competition. The event consisted of two main rounds, the first being an open tasting where all eight mixologists offered their qualifying recipes to event guests. This round gave attendees the chance to vote on their favorite cocktail and name a crowd favorite. The second round was an "Iron Chef" style competition in which the mixologists competed head-to-head for 20 minutes using a secret ingredient chosen by Cointreau. Following the two stages of competition, the judges added their scores along with the crowd's votes to come up with the winners. John Britton was named the Crowd Favorite, while Joel Teitelbaum took the overall win and will be moving on to the championships in New York City where the final winner will be determined and go on to represent Cointreau at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival in France.

The Brixton's dim lighting, funky wallpaper, and beautiful dark wood bar offered the perfect ambiance for this event. Pops of bright Cointreau orange throughout the venue contrasted nicely with the rich colors of the restaurant.

Photos: Moanalani Jeffrey Photography

Mixologists:

1. Joel Teitelbaum (Winner) | San Francisco | Five Rings

Second Round: San Tropez Rose

Glass: Coupe

Garnish: Blood orange Rose(made with a curled blood orange peel)

1 1/2 oz Macallen 10 yr

3/4 Cointreau

3/4 Carpano Antica

1/2 oz Blood orange Juice

Muddled Blood orange Peel

2. John Britton (Crowd Favorite) | San Francisco

First Round: Club 55

Glass: Highball

Garnish: Horse's neck spiral of orange peel

1 oz. Cointreau

1 oz. dry vermouth

1/2 oz. orange juice

4 ox. Orangina

3. Yael Amyra | San Francisco | Soleil Sour

4. Meryll Cawn | Fairfield | St. Tropez Sling

5. Keli Rivers | San Francisco | Fine & Dandy

6. Shaher Misif | San Francisco | Last of the Oaxacan’s

7. Benjamin Smith | Lodi | The Black Swan

8. Brian Means | San Ramon | La Nouvelle Vague

Judges:

Brooke Arthur - Brand Advocate for Cointreau
Frank Jakuba - Cointreau
H. Joseph Ehrmann - Proprietor, Elixir & National Ambassador, United States Bartenders Guild
Allie Pape - Food & Drink Contributor, 7X7

MC:

Hooman - Alice Radio 97.3

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