Speed Rack Sneak Peek

Speed Rack

Lady bartenders are quick with the shakers and swift with the swizzle sticks when Speed Rack returns to the Northeast. The beverage contest with a cause (proceeds support breast cancer charities) has the barwomen go drink against drink in timed rounds to see who’s quickest on the cocktail draw. The twenty-three contenders come from across New England, but you can get to know a few of the names and faces before the big event on Sunday, March 5th.

Melissa BensonMelissa Benson
Bar: Roxy’s Central A4cade (Cambridge, MA)
Favorite drink to make: Anything stirred, especially balanced and bitter cocktails like Torontos [rye, Fernet, simple syrup and Angostura] or slightly sweeter ones like Manhattans [rye, sweet vermouth and Angostura]. The swirling ice makes me happy.
Favorite drink to drink: My personal go-to cocktail is an Alaska [gin, yellow Chartreuse and orange bitters] – it’s the perfect bracing sipper before getting on a karaoke stage, meeting the parents, or after a long shift on your feet when you need some help relaxing fast.

Ana BorrasAna Borras
Bar: The Backroom at Moody’s (Waltham, MA)
Favorite drink to make: A Daiquiri [white rum, simple syrup and lime].
Favorite drink to drink: Bourbon with two rocks.

Kathryn DacierKathryn Dacier
Bar: Lighthouse Bar in Twin River Casino (Lincoln, RI)
Favorite drink to make: A Cosmopolitan [vodka, triple sec, cranberry and lime] and all of its variations.
Favorite drink to drink: A Beacon Sapphire, made with Bombay Sapphire Gin, Cointreau, fresh lemon juice, a splash of strawberry puree, topped with lemonade and soda water.

Kate HolowchikKate Holowchik
Bar: The Townshend (Quincy, MA )
Favorite drink to make: I love making anything tiki because we have all the cool tiki ware. Just about anyone can enjoy cocktails that are full of tropical fruit juices and rum, and they’re a statement piece too.
Favorite drink to drink: A Negroni [gin, Campari and vermouth]. Being a pastry chef has taught me a lot about my palate. I don’t crave sweet drinks, I prefer drinks that are bitter and stirred.

Deanna McCallumDeanna McCallum
Bar: Barrel House American Bar (Beverly, MA)
Favorite drink to make: A Naked & Famous [mezcal, yellow Chartreuse, Aperol and lime]. I love mezcal drinks and this one is tasty and very well balanced.
Favorite drink to drink: Probably anything with mezcal or whiskey, but if I had to choose it would be a classic whisky sour with an egg white!

Andrea PentabonaÁndrea Pentabona
Bar: Uni (Boston, MA)
Favorite drink to make: Anything guests are excited about. When I can engage someone in the process of their drink, I think they enjoy it tenfold. That being said I really, truly enjoy making Ramos Gin Fizzes. What can I say? I’m a masochist.
Favorite drink to drink: A Vieux Carré [rye, cognac, sweet vermouth, Benedictine, Peychaud’s and Angostura]. I don’t drink them often, but it was one of the very first classics I tried and it still transports me every single time. It’s just ridiculously delicious.

Jamie L. ShawJamie Shaw
Bar: Hojoko (Boston, MA)
Favorite drink to make: It honestly depends what’s going on. If we’re talking about just the pure fun of making a drink, a classic sour or fizz is so fun and lets you get such a beautiful texture with the egg white, and you can decorate them up real nice. However, if I’m discussing drinks with a guest, I really try to make what they’re in the mood to drink. There’s nothing more fun and gratifying than surprising and showing your guest something they didn’t even know they wanted.
Favorite drink to drink: Big gin fan here. I usually alternate between a Bohemian if I’m in the mood for something a little sweeter [gin, elderflower, grapefruit and bitters], or a Last Word [gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur and lime]. I love a good Last Word – real classic combo of everything that’s perfect in a cocktail: tart, boozy, herbal, refreshing and delicious.

Get more info on the event here and pick up your tickets to see which of the women will claim the cocktail crown.

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