Santo Tequila asked top bartenders to create cocktails that Transcend the Ordinary using their authentic 100% Blue Weber agave tequila for a higher quality experience.

Out of hundreds of entries these TWENTY (20)* cocktails Transcend the Ordinary according to our judges! (*Finalist cocktails will be announced FIVE (5) per week in no order, for a total of TWENTY (20) Finalists cocktails.

Thank you to all the bartenders who participated. Stay tuned for announcement of 5 Bartender Finalists chosen by our judges to compete for Cash Prizes coming soon.

 

---

 

Brittany Heulitt

The Metamorphosis

The inspiration to my cocktail is from my favorite insect…. the butterfly. Butterflies are a universal symbol of transformation and spiritual growth. To transcend the ordinary cocktail, I used butterfly pea flower tea and made ice cubes. The ice cubes begin with a beautiful deep blue color… as you add them to the cocktail, they the blue color of the tea changes to deep violet or purple when the pH level is altered. The addition of lemon and grapefruit juice or another acid causes these color changes. Transforming like a butterfly from a ordinary caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly this cocktail goes from ordinary to extraordinary. I used the liquor de Violette to incorporate a floral accent to the cocktail. The lychee for a light bright sweetness and the grapefruit soda for the amazing flavor and beautiful color. Topping it with the rose Prosecco to give it a light, bubbly finish. Baby’s breath garnish. A simple elegant flower to tie this beautiful cocktail together.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 oz Santo Blanco Tequila
• 1/2 oz Soho Lychee liqueur
• 1/2 oz Tempus Fugit Liquor De Violettes
• 1/4 oz Lemon Juice
• 3 oz Fever Tree grapefruit Soda
• 2 oz Rose Prosecco
• Butterfly Pea Tea Flower Ice cubes

Preparation: Pour all ingredients over butterfly pea ice cubes in large wine glass and stir to chill. Top with 2 oz Rose Prosecco. Garnish with baby’s breath flower.

 

---

 

Melissa Powell

Namaste

The name of the cocktail is a tribute to Guy Fieri’s late sister Morgan. I know that this experience shaped and formed Guy into the loving and compassionate person he is today.

I became a huge fan once I heard about him marrying 101 same sex couples in Florida in honor of his sister. Guy also gave back so much to the hospitality and restaurant industry during COVID. It’s people like him that are an inspiration and continue to be so. In honor of both Guy and Morgan, the cocktail is meant as a tribute to both of them. It’s light and refreshing and gets sweeter with each passing moment. Also meant to be the perfect cocktail for the Florida weather. I hope you enjoy this tasty and unique cocktail as much as I do. It’s so easy to drink you might just be tempted to overindulge. If you do, it’s ok, coconut water is a great hungover cure. Footnote: we also produced a video of us making the cocktail.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 oz Santo Fino Reposado
• 1/4 oz Lime Juice
• 1/4 oz Simple Syrup
• 3 Strawberries Quartered
• 2 Dashes Fee Brothers Black Walnut Bitters
• 3 oz Vita Coco Coconut Water
• Frozen Coconut Fruit Bar (Whole Fruit Brand Used)
• Publix Sweetened Coconut Flakes Toasted*

Preparation: Lightly toast the Coconut Flakes with a culinary torch. Rim 9oz Rocks Glass with Toasted Coconut Flakes. Put 3 Strawberry Slices on a bamboo fruit skewer and set aside. In a Cocktail Mixing Glass, add the remaining strawberries, fresh lime juice and simple syrup. Muddled until Strawberries are mostly juiced. Add Santo Fino Reposado Tequila and Coconut Water. Add Ice and stir using a bar spoon. Add coconut fruit bar to rocks glass and drip 2 dashes of black walnut bitters down the front of the fruit bar. Strain the cocktail mixing glass ingredients over the fruit bar. Add strawberry garnish across the glass. Feel free to use Coconut Fruit Bar as a stirrer. The more it melts the creamer the drink gets! Toasted Coconut Rim, 3 Strawberry Slices on Fruit Skewer and Coconut Fruit Bar for garnish.

 

---

 

Jon Mateer

Ctrl+Alt+Delete

This cocktail, “Ctrl+Alt+Delete” is about escaping the ordinary by transcending the ordinary. Working the hospitality industry can weigh on those working in it pretty heavily sometimes. Every once in a while, we need to reset and “Ctrl+Alt+Delete” to refresh our batteries and reboot ourselves both mentally and physically. This cocktail transcends the ordinary by taking a classic margarita and giving it an entirely new twist with fresh tropical ingredients. The perfect drink to escape the ordinary and transcend to the perfect time off. Recharge those batteries, take care of yourself, and don’t forget to “Ctrl+Alt+Delete” occasionally.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 oz Santo Mezquila
• 1/4 oz Toasted Coconut Campari*
• 1/2 oz Chinola Passion Fruit Liqueur
• 1 oz Fresh Pineapple Juice
• 1/2 oz Lime Juice
• Tajin Rim (for garnish)

Preparation: Combine all ingredients into a shaker tin and shake over ice until diluted. Then, strain into one half of the shaker tin and discard the ice. Shake without ice (reverse dry shake) for 15 seconds to add additional aeration. Double Strain into a coupe that has been rimmed with tajin salt. *Coconut Campari: start by placing 530g of coconut flakes onto a baking sheet. Then lightly toast the coconut flakes in the oven until aromatic. Combine the toasted coconut flakes with one bottle (1 Liter) of Campari. Whisk until incorporated. Store in a sealed container at room temperature for 24 hours. Then, strain the coconut flakes out of the Campari. Store chilled until needed for service!

 

---

 

Paula Lukas

You Make Me Crazy

My cocktail inspiration is as the theme of the competition. To transcend the ordinary.

I wanted to complement and enhance the spirit of Santo Reposado Tequila to transcend it to new heights. A combination of fruit with some savory components as well as the oakiness of Pineau des Charentes with the chocolaty goodness of creme de cacao really brings out the wonderful flavor of Santo Reposado Tequila. The truffle oil is definitely out of the ordinary as well as the zataar. I wanted to make my cocktail beautiful and colorful with unusual garnishes that are actually easy to find. If you know me you know I name my cocktails after songs. Of course, with this drink I had to choose a Sammy Hagar song. This one goes back to the 70s and has the influence of Van Morrison. I present to you my cocktail.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 oz Santo Reposado Tequila
• 1/2 oz Pineau des Charentes
• 1/2 oz Giffard Creme de Cacao Blanc
• 1 1/2 oz Blueberry juice
• 1 nectarine sliced (1 slice for garnish)
• 2 bay leaves (1 leaf for garnish)
• 2 slices Star Fruit (1 slice for garnish)
• 1/2 tsp Zataar (Half rim. 1 pinch in cocktail)
• 3 drops truffle oil

Preparation: Half rim double old-fashioned glass with Zataar. In a shaker tin muddle nectarine, bay leaf and Star fruit. Add liquid ingredients, pinch of zataar and ice.Shake and fine strain into double Old Fashioned glass half rimmed with zaatar. Add 3 drops of truffle oil on top of cocktail. Garnish with 1 nectarine slice, 1 Star fruit slice and 1 bay leaf.

 

---

 

Jorge Ortega

Truffle and Bee

Truffle and Bee is anything but ordinary as Mezquilla isn’t either. I wanted an all-around “wow, I’ve never had that before” factor. The sweetness from the truffle honey syrup balances out nicely with the mezquilla, while allowing the smokey undertones to standout. The sparkling wine adds a touch of freshness and bubbles to bring the cocktail to life. I hope you enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Santo Mezquilla
• 1 oz Truffle Honey Syrup*
• 3/4 Fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 2 oz Sparkling Wine

Preparation: Truffle Syrup: Add a had full of cloves, 3cup honey, 1 cup water and truffle oil to taste to saucepan. Bring to a slow simmer and let settle for 24hr. Strain. Add all ingredients to your tin and shake with ice. Strain into a Coup glass and top off with sparkling wine. Garnish with dehydrated lemon wheel, edible flowers, gold dust and black truffle pearls.