Official Drink of Austin 2019 Menu Announced & Tickets Are On Sale

Austin Food & Wine Alliance just announced the menu for Official Drink of Austin 2019 competition – and tickets for the September 12, 7-10pm event at Fairmont Austin are still available at www.austinfoodwinealliance.org.

Attendees can snack on cocktail-friendly bites and sample drinks from the seven competing bars – the finalists from a citywide competition of over 50 competitors. There are also tastings from more than 25 featured spirits and tunes from DJ Sounds By Cassandra. The event raises funds for Austin Food & Wine Alliance culinary grants and this is only one of the culinary events that AFWA hosts throughout the year. "Founders of the nation’s first grant program based on culinary innovation and community giveback, the nonprofit has awarded $252,500 in grants to fund more than 40 local culinary projects since 2012."

VIP tickets include a Desert Door Texas Sotol cocktail class. Judges are acclaimed beverage industry experts from around the country including Masahiro Urushido, co-owner of Katana Kitten (New York) and recent winner of Best New American Cocktail Bar at Tales of the Cocktail competition; Ashtin Berry of Radical Xchange (New Orleans) and Imbibe Magazine’s Bartender of the Year for 2019; Emma Janzen, digital editor for Imbibe Magazine (Chicago); Ryan Foster of Domo Alley Gato Tatsu-Ya and forthcoming Tiki Tatsu-ya, who led Juniper's 2018 Official Drink of Austin winning team; and Rae Wilson from Wine For The People, Dandy Rose & The Grower Project.

This year’s featured restaurants and menus are:

● Alice’s Restaurant at Treaty Oak Distilling, Scott Fogle – Brisket tostada

● District Kitchen + Cocktails, MacKenzie Viglianco – Braised lamb tartlets with horseradish tarragon tart, mint labneh, pickled figs & chive

● Fulton, Angie Lime – Chicken liver tartine with peanuts, green apple, Thai herbs, and fish sauce caramel

● Geraldine’s, Yolanda Diaz – Malted chocolate mousse shooter

● Intero, Ian Thurwachter & Krystal Craig – Wagyu beef Parker House roll and dark chocolate-salted popcorn

● Nightcap, Matthew Goodrick – Ceviche with avocado, crispy ginger, and garlic, tomato, red onion, and Leche de Tigre

● Pitchfork Pretty, Max Snyder – Grilled beef tongue

● Rosedale Kitchen and Bar, Janelle Reynolds – Jalapeño pimento cheese crostini with pickled vegetables

● Rosen’s Bagel Co., Tom Rosen – Pizza bagels

Tickets are $65 online and $85 at the door, on sale at www.austinfoodwinealliance.org.