Park City Restaurant Association

Park Record
Greg Marshall

Park City Passion, High West Traverse, and the Zoom Matador Margarita are a few of the cocktails that will be sipped and served at the fourth annual Libation Nation. But only one will be named Park City’s signature cocktail for the 2009/2010 winter season.

Photo by David Ryder/Park Record

The popular contest will be held Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Wasatch Brew Pub. Fitted with ski bibs, 10 Park City bartenders will take on the task of mixing the best original cocktail in town. Judges evaluate the drinks based on presentation, taste and appearance. Libation Nation costs $5 to attend and proceeds benefit the People’s Health Clinic. The Restaurant Association will match up to $500 in donations for the nonprofit medical provider.

The drink that wins will be featured on the Park City Chamber/Bureau website and sampled at a reception in New York City, according to Nicole Madrid of the Park City Restaurant Association. The winning mixologist receives a trophy, $100 and bragging rights.

The restaurant association represents 30 bars, taverns and eateries in town. This year’s contest includes some new contestants, including Zoom and Flannagan’s.

“We’re just trying to let people know that they can get a good drink in Utah,” Madrid said. Much touted changes in liquor laws, including the end to private clubs, haven’t made much of a difference so far in changing the perception that Utah is a dry state.

The confections made with Blue Curacao, fresh-squeezed lemon, cherries, berries and tangerines are reminders to the contrary, and their names play off the ski industry and local landmarks.

Libation Nation is a big deal for bartenders, said Joey Rusconi, the manager at Wasatch Brew Pub. His restaurant will serve the Mountain Berry Margarita (right), which is made with an assortment of berries, whiskey and tequila. “For us, it was a big deal,” he said. “We’ve put a lot of time into it. We wanted to incorporate the local distillery and do something that honors what we do as a cantina. Anyone can make a drink, but it takes someone who cares about it to do it right.”

The bartenders competing will need plenty of moral support, Madrid said. “We really want people there cheering them on,” she said.

Previous winners of the contest are Deer Valley’s Royal Street Cafe’s Blueberry Mojito, the 350 Main’s Jupiter Cosmopolitan and Kristauf’s Martini Bar’s Crisp Pear. Judges for the event come from weekly magazines, radio stations and chamber of commerce members.