What will they think of next? (February edition)

This month's selection of cocktail recipes consists of a trio of goodies taken from brand-sponsored competitions. Such events usually draw the most inventive of mixologists.

• LaCOLA NOSTRA

Averna is distilled in Italy from an all-natural blend of herbs, dried flowers, spices and licorice. Traditionally it is a digestivo, or after-dinner drink, known for its distinctively bittersweet taste profile. New York mixologist Don Lee created this drink in a competition sponsored by Averna.

1½ ounce Zacapa 23
1 ounce Averna
¾ ounce lime juice
½ simple syrup
¼ ounce Pimento Dram
2 ounces Moet White Star Champagne

Shake ingredients with ice, strain into a long glass with ice. Top with champagne.

• ONE HOT MINUTE

This spicy conconction was created by San Francisco cocktail star Jacques Bezuidenhout to win the "Tabasco Brand Hottest Bartender Contest."

1¾ ounces Partida Silver Tequila
2 ounces cucumber and apple juice puree
½ ounce Lillet Blanc
¼ ounce agave nectar or simple syrup
1 teaspoon Tabasco Green Jalapeño Pepper Sauce
1 cucumber
1 ounce unfiltered apple juice

To make the puree: Peel cucumber, cut into slices, place in a blender and blend into a puree. In proportion. mix equal parts of cucumber puree with unfiltered apple juice.

To make the drink: Shake all ingredients together and strain over fresh ice into a highball glass. Garnish: Thin cucumber slices fanned and one chile pepper placed on the side of the glass.

• CRYSTAL BOUQUET

Nikko Hotels International recently held a competition among its hotels in Japan to find the best drink recipes. Cocktails were judged in short drink and long drink categories. The top six drinks then were featured at all Nikko hotels in Japan. This is one of the winners, using the sponsoring Marie Brizard products.

1 ounce Marie Brizard Charleston
⅓ ounce Marie Brizard Lime Citron
1/6 ounce curacao
1/6 ounce anisette
2/3 ounce pineapple juice

Shake and serve in a goblet.

[Go here for my archive of monthly cocktail recipe collections.]

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