There was nothing imaginary about “Tangerine Dream.”
That drink proved it was the real deal and earned Adam Kurth the title of Kauai’s Best Bartender and the grand prize of $2,500 in a frenzied Friday night finale at a packed RumFire Poipu Beach at the Sheraton Kauai Resort.
Kurth, who works at the Beach House Restaurant, edged runner-up Rachel Parker of Ruth’s Chris Steak House.
Parker’s drink was named “Sail On, Sailor,” inspired by a Beach Boy’s song, and she received $1,000.
“Tangerine Dream” was Kurth’s take on the classic tiki cocktail, “Three Dots and a Dash.” The mystery ingredient was Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, and the final round’s sponsor was William Grant &Sons.
The winning recipe:
Tangerine Dream
1.5 oz Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum
0.5 oz homemade tangerine Curacao
0.5 oz homemade falernum
0.5 oz fresh pressed local tangerine
0.75 oz fresh pressed local lime
0.5 oz local honey syrup
2 dashes ‘Elemakule Tiki Bitters
Luxardo cherries
Kurth has worked at the Beach House in Poipu about a year and a half. Prior, he worked as a bartender and bar manager in Portland, Ore., and managed a property with diverse bars outside Seattle before relocating to Kauai.
This is the fourth year of the Best Bartender contest, that challenges food and beverage industry professionals to showcase original, handcrafted cocktails for the chance to earn the title and prize money.
Over the seven weeks of the single-elimination tournament, contestants went head-to-head by creating original cocktails featuring locally sourced ingredients and the spirit of the week.
Every Friday evening since Oct. 5, patrons of RumFire Poipu Beach had the opportunity to taste the contestants’ creations between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and cast their votes for their favorite cocktail.
Contestants included Kahlani Badeaux of Merriman’s Fish House, Caren Panettzi of Verde, Adam Pompa of Kauai Pasta, Jarrold Tagavilla of Hilton Garden Inn, John Ferguson of The Cabana Bar &Grill, and Kilakilapono Youn of Duke’s Canoe Club.
Curren Mizumoto of The Lanai was named the 2017 winner with his original “E Ku‘u Inu” cocktail, a green and pink layered drink created with Koloa White Rum, dry curacao, fresh basil and mint juice, fresh watermelon juice, lavender-infused syrup, fresh lime juice and a pinch of jalapeño.
