Some of the most talented and creative bartenders, or mixologists, in the Bay Area competed recently at the 2009 Battle of the Tequileros Contest at Tres Agaves restaurant in San Francisco. The competition was designed to not only recognize the top mixologists in the Bay Area, but also those that are the most knowledgeable about tequila. This year’s winner was Marco Dionysos of Tres Agaves with his Malabarista (Juggler) cocktail, made with

tequila, lemon juice, Habanero tincture, egg whites, and other ingredients. 

Dionysos has traveled all over the world to expand his creative repertoire of cocktail ideas and ingredients. “I was very impressed with the level of competition in The Battle of the Tequileros,” he says. “I’ve been in competitions in Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Miami and Las Vegas and the level of talent at this event was definitely just as tough - because of that, I’m even more grateful for my cocktail to have been selected by the judges.”

After completing a preliminary test on tequila facts, the best entries advanced to the final. Over eighty submissions were narrowed down to just eight master mixologists for the competition. These eight mixologists from various bars and restaurants participated in the competition where they were tasked with creating a cocktail using one of Tequila Herradura’s three expressions (Blanco, Reposado or Anejo). Each recipe was evaluated based on appearance, aroma, creativity, taste and the use of tequila.

The winner was selected by a panel of spirit and cocktail experts including three members of the United States Bartenders Guild (USBG). Two additional judges included Angelica Pappas of the California Restaurant Association and Lynne Bennett of the San Francisco Chronicle. The winner received a $2,000 prize presented by the USBG.

“I was impressed with the out-of-the-box ideas employed by the competitors,” explained Angelica Pappas. “I was anticipating variations on a margarita and it was so much more than that. From savory and spicy to a tequila shot with a powdered sea salt and caramel mix as a chaser to so many other unusual yet delightful tastes.”

Tres Agaves was recently named one of the Top 10 Tequila Lounges in the U.S. by Playboy.com.