Michigan Avenue - Niche Media - Michigan Avenue magazine is a luxury lifestyle magazine centered around Chicago’s finest people, events, fashion, health & beauty, fine dining & more!
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/732891
A blend of seasonal flavors like apple, pear, and cinnamon, the Autumn Sour is Julian Cox's original creation—and the ultimate cocktail for fall. He's earned multiple James Beard Award nominations plus accolades like "Best Bartender in LA" and "King of LA's Craft Cocktail Movement," but Julian Cox isn't resting on his West Coast laurels. Instead, he is reinventing himself one tipple at a time through an industry- shaking move right here to the Windy City. "There was a part of me that really wanted to learn again," says Cox, 35, who returned to his native Midwest earlier this year. "For me as a competitive spirit, and someone who enjoys being an under- dog, what better thing to do than come to a place where nobody knows me and try to do great work, but also learn from a master [in Lettuce Entertain You founder Rich Melman]?" The mixologist kicked off his Chicago stint at Italian spot Il Porcellino and tiki mecca Three Dots and a Dash, where he upgraded the cocktails in his signature culinary style. Now Lettuce's beverage director, Cox oversees numerous concepts, but found time to concoct the ultimate fall drink for Michigan Avenue—The Autumn Sour—which you can sip yourself at RPM Steak and RPM Italian (rpmrestaurants.com) until the end of November. A seasonal twist on an old-school whiskey sour, the cocktail stars fall flavors of apple, pear, and cinnamon, all given Cox's special touch. "It's simple and delicious," he sums up. "Sometimes a simpler drink just tastes better." Find the Autumn Sour recipe online at michiganavemag.com . Rock staR mixologist and la tRansplant Julian Cox is shaking things up foR lettuce enteRtain You. by lauren epstein new attitude PhotograPhy by Jeff Marini "There was a parT of me ThaT really wanTed To learn again." —julian cox Scene exclusive 62 michiganavemag.com