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/94797
Cointreau Ambassador Search ® IN CELEBRATION OF THE 15th year that Cointreau has been the official partner of the Cannes Film Festival, Niche Media hosted and executed six events across the country searching for a Cointreau Ambassador of Libations. Innovative mixologists across the country were invited to create and submit Cointreau cocktail recipes. We now present the regional contestant for Chicago. "BLACK OPERATIONS" BY ALEX RENSHAW 1 oz Cointreau 1.5 oz Black Grouse 3/4 fresh lemon juice 1/2 oz honey (secret ingredient) How did you first discover Cointreau? "I first discovered Cointreau when I started bartending and making the classic margarita. That was really my first experience with the brand." Why do you think Cointreau has been at the forefront of cocktail culture for over 160 years? 4 cubes muddled pineapple 1 dash Angostora bitters Glass: rocks with ice Garnish with a pineapple leaf Tell us about your winning cocktail and what your inspiration was? "The cocktail I'm making tonight is called "Without Permission," it's inspired by St. Tropez. It's 3 easy ingredients – 1 oz. Cynar with Cointreau and topped with Ginger Ale. It's a nice refreshing, long, summery drink. You can enjoy it on the islands of St. Tropez." "Cointreau has been at the forefront of cocktail culture for over 160 years because it's a classic. When you're talking about a classic, it doesn't get any more classic than Cointreau. They've been around forever, they're the innovators, not only in cocktails but also advertising and marketing and doing things the right way." Were you surprised to find out Cointreau is 100% natural and 80 proof? "I was actually surprised to find out that Cointreau was 100% natural and 80 proof, even after using it for all these years. I had a chance to sit down at the Cointreau dinner in New Orleans, which helped wrap my mind around using it as a base spirit more often – especially because it has a nice, round orange flavor. It absolutely has [triggered new ideas for cocktail uses], because I work at a classic cocktail bar, we don't use flavored spirits, so Cointreau really tosses in a nice element…" What is your favorite Cointreau gal drink? "My favorite Cointreau drink for a girl, you'd have to go with the White Lady. It doesn't really get much better than that. For a guy, I like a nice Cognac, so a Cointreau sidecar." How did you get into Bartending and what is your favorite part of being a bartender? "It was kind of a side gig while I was trying to do improvised comedy. But when I really got into the depth of what you could do in the cocktail world and I learned how big it was, I fell in love with it and I haven't turned back. [My favorite part of being a bartender] is interaction with people. I work at a hotel bar, I meet people from all over the world; you never know what you're going to get." What would you bring to the Ambassador role? "I would bring a lot of historical knowledge and personality to the ambassador role. I live to make sure people have a good time, that's what blows my hair back. So, I'd really make sure that I step to the forefront and represent Cointreau and also make sure everyone is having a good time." ©2012 Rémy Cointreau USA, Inc., New York, NY. All rights reserved, trademarks owned by their respective owners. Please Drink Responsibly. Please Drink Responsibly.