Submitted by Hotel Murano
On Sunday, July 17 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., bartenders from Tacoma’s top drink destinations — The Forum, Dirty Oscar’s Annex, Tacoma Cabana and BITE — will face off in the second annual Tacoma Cocktail Mix-Off presented by Hotel Murano. Each summer the Tacoma Cocktail Mix-Off spotlights the creative talents of the city’s craft cocktail experts and raises a glass to the art of a well-made drink. This year, the event is sponsored by Tito’s Vodka and the focus is on everyone’s favorite excuse for a cocktail before noon: brunch.
During the event, libation-lovers will gather in Hotel Murano’s lobby to sample brunch cocktails from the city’s top bartenders. Bringing their best bartending chops, Jason Alexander of Tacoma Cabana, Colin Smith of Dirty Oscar’s Annex, Sarah Troger from The Forum and Ashley Barker of BITE will face off as Northwest Travel Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief Allen Cox; Jaime Vogt, VP of Marketing at Travel Tacoma; and Matt Allen, General Manager of Chamber’s Bay, judge the handcrafted creations.
Using Tito’s Vodka, participating bartenders will each create a signature cocktail to dazzle and delight the local celebrity judges and event attendees. They will compete for the “People’s Choice” award determined by the highest number of patron votes and the “Best in Bar” award bestowed by the guest judges. The winner of the “People’s Choice” award will take home a Moscow Mule gift basket from Tito’s that includes a handle of Tito’s Vodka, copper mugs and ginger beer. Plus, their winning drink will be featured through the end of August on BITE’s new brunch menu. The winner of the “Best in Bar” award will receive a two-night stay at Hotel deLuxe in Portland, Oregon, complete with complimentary parking. Patrons who cast their vote during the Cocktail Mix-Off also have the chance to go home with a prize. Each attendee who votes will be entered to win a one-night stay and brunch at Hotel Murano.
In addition to the delicious drinks being served by Tacoma’s best bartenders, attendees will enjoy bite-sized versions of food items from the new brunch menu that launches upstairs at BITE that Sunday. New menu items that will be sampled include corn cakes with pulled pork, easy-over egg and bourbon syrup; brioche French toast with strawberry-rhubarb compote; grilled flat-iron steak with eggs, breakfast potatoes and blackberry barbecue sauce; ‘old skool’ chicken salad with bacon, tomato, toasted almonds and arugula on rosemary cracker bread; and cornmeal waffles with fried chicken and pecan syrup.
Hotel Murano’s Tacoma Cocktail Mix-Off will take place July 17 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Admission is priced at $15 per person and includes samples of each competing cocktail, one full-sized brunch cocktail, delicious bite-sized tastes of BITE’s new brunch menu, and complimentary self-parking at Hotel Murano. Advance purchase is recommended as last year’s event sold out. Tickets and more information can be found online at www.hotelmuranotacoma.com/cocktail-mixoff/.
The new weekend brunch menu launching at BITE on Sunday, July 17 will be available from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. every Saturday and Sundays. Reservation information and the full brunch menu can be found online at www.hotelmuranotacoma.com/bite-restaurant/.
