Dayton Bartenders Compete For Jagermeister Title

While most of Dayton were watching election results, the Dayton Racquet Club was packed with some of the region’s most creative bartenders.  Jägermeister Herbal Liqueur hosted an exclusive event for 25 area bartenders, who had submitted their best Jager recipes to earn a “Seat at the Table” for for the first ever Jagermeister Mix Off.

Tony Dea, State of Ohio Manager for  Sydney Frank Importing Company, explained “that each bartenders recipes were  sent to our New York headquarters where the brand team chose the top 10 to compete in the regionals. A similar event was held last night in Cincinnati and next week Columbus and Cleveland  bartenders will compete in their regionals, and in January the finalists from all 4 cities will compete for the state title.”

The  finalists from Dayton  included Colleen Mescher from Taggarts Pub, Jonna Thompson of G & J’s Highspot, Nicole Hitte from Good Time Charilie’s, Tim Brant from MJ’s Cafe, Cheri Simmons of Brixx, Dave Thomas from Ned Peppers, Dave from Jimmie’s Ladder 11 and Seth Browning of Carvers Steakhouse.

Bartenders were introduced by DJ Fish, who shared their  drink recipes while they had 5 minutes to mix 18 drinks, which were then served to 17 judges, 15 of them being the bartenders that did not make it to the top 10.  Other judges included representatives from Southern Wine, the local distributor for Jagermeister.  A caricature artist was on hand to make sure each guest left with a souvenir,  and Connie from Tuty’s in Fairborn won a Jager Tap machine in the door prize drawing.

While the judges were tabulating the votes, guests where treated to a Flair Bartending demonstration by Scott Christian, the raining Bistro Franchise Champion.  Just like Tom Cruise from Cocktails, Christian juggled up to 4 liquor bottles, while mixing drinks to the cheers of the crowd.  He heads next week to Pittsburgh, where he claims “he’ll win and head on to the Top 10” and continue his touring with the Flair Bartending Associations World Tour.

The 3rd place winner, Marissa Todd from Bargos Grill and Tap (2nd from the left above) won a $100 with her Jager Mocha Mudslide:  In a blender mix 1oz of Jager, 1oz of Van Gough double expresso, chocolate syrup, 1 scoop of Ben & Jerry’s phish food ice cream and half and half.  Serve in a chilled 16oz glass.

In 2nd place Seth Browning (2nd from the right)  took home $150 and will be happy to serve you a Chocolate Jager Mint at Carvers:  1 1/2 oz Jager, 1/2 oz dark creme de menthe, 1 1/2 oz Godiva White Chocolate served in a chocolate drizzled martini glass.

Taking home the Dayton regional trophy as well as  $250, Jamie Gaulding, from PC’s Lounge on Gettysburg,  winning nameless recipe is:

1 part Jager to 2 parts Italian sweet cream (aka coffee mate), half a teaspoon of cinnamon, and a pinch of nutmeg.  Blend with ice and serve in a rocks glass, top with whip cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg.

“All three of the top finalist will head to the State finals in Columbus, held in January according to represent Dayton,” according to Heather Taggart Robinson, the Ohio Sales Representative for Sidney Frank Importing Company.