The Best Lemon Cocktail

Patrick Reynolds, bartender at Wildcat Lounge and “Farm to Bar” columnist at the Santa Barbara Independent, created Manāw a trois, an original concoction that has been crowned the best lemon cocktail in Los Angeles byLimoneira. Reynolds competed against some of Southern California’s most talented and distinguished bartenders as they mixed up their most inventive recipes at the Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in November. This event officially kicked off an international series of Limoneira mixology contests that will take place around the world throughout 2015.Translated, Manāwa means “lemon” in Thai. In this Thai-inspired cocktail, Reynolds uses lemons three ways, thus the cocktail’s name, Manāw a trois. The balanced flavors remind the palate of Thai food: spicy, aromatic and exotic.

The panel of judges included Hadley Tomicki, Editor at Urban Daddy; Lanee Lee, contributor to Voyage Vixens and FoodableTV; Elana Lepkowski of Stir and Strain;12 Bottle Bar‘s David Solmonson; and Beth Fisher of Busy Beth’s Blog.

While competitors mixed it up, party guests watched the bartenders in action while enjoying other party refreshments including assorted hors d’oeuvres and desserts prepared by Chef Marius Blin of Sofitel Los Angeles, Diabolo sparkling French soda, internationally-inspired wine blends from Four Brix Winery, handcrafted Italian liqueurs from Ventura Limoncello Company, and lemon-centric libations from Greenbar Craft Distillery.Guests also had the opportunity to sample the competing cocktails that were created that evening.

Other contest participants included Vincent Anter of FIG Santa Monica, Christopher Hewes of Argyle Hollywood, Michael Nemcik of Red Clay, Melodie Murphy of James Republic, Nic Hirsch of Montage Laguna Beach, Brian Leon of Nobu and Ferrari Watts of Riviera 31.

Upcoming contests following the Los Angeles kick-off will be held in other major U.S. and international cities including Chicago, New York, Lima and Hong Kong. Reynolds will eventually compete with other top mixologists from around the globe in a final round for a chance to win a grand prize.

Limoneira’s Los Angeles mixology contest took place on Tuesday, November 18 at the Sofitel Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills.

About Patrick Reynolds
Patrick Reynolds’ career as an award winning bartender started the day his professional cooking career ended. Exhausted and at risk of burning out in the kitchen, he considered throwing in the towel on his culinary career. Rather than lose one of his rising stars, Chef Ron True, owner of Epiphany (now Arlington Tavern), made the life changing suggestion of transferring Reynolds from the line to the bar. There, Reynolds would still be able to put his culinary degree to use and would be granted all the creative freedom he’d been yearning for. Over eight years later, Patrick is now recognized as one of the top mixologists in the region, known for his “Farm to Bar” columnin the SB Independent (www.independent.com/staff/patrick-reynolds) and creative use of home grown ingredients, particularly herbs, citrus and home-made “shrubs”. When he’s not acting as Brand Ambassador of Cutler Artisan Spirits, you can find Patrick leading tours through the Santa Barbara farmers market and making daily menus from his findings at The Wildcat Lounge with the motto, “Honor, awareness and, above all, respect.”

About Limoneira:
Limoneira Company, a 120-year-old international agribusiness headquartered inSanta Paula,California, has grown to become one of the premier integrated agribusinesses in the world.Limoneira (pronounced lĔ mon΄âra), is a dedicated sustainability company with approximately 10,000 acres of rich agricultural lands, real estate properties and water rights inCalifornia. The Company is a leading producer of lemons, avocados, oranges, specialty citrus and other crops that are enjoyed around the world. For more aboutLimoneira Company, visitwww.limoneira.com.