MARMORA – Marisa Holt won the 2024 Bar Boss competition with two cocktails, the Smoky Desert and the Sweet Dragon.
Marisa Holt: The Bar Boss
Her descriptions:
Sweet Dragon
Features:
• Owen’s Club Soda
• Dragonfruit Cordial – infused with jalapeño, cinnamon, cardamom, cayenne, lemon peels, citric acid and sucrose esters (special ingredient)
• St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur
• Hiatus Reposado Tequila
• Cocktail airs ration pump
• Dehydrated petal powder (special ingredient)
• Fresh pineapple juice
• Champagne
This dragonfruit cordial is incredibly versatile and pairs beautifully with many spirits and cocktails, having won multiple competitions I’ve entered. It’s my favorite infusion yet! For this cocktail, I chose to showcase the vibrant, exotic color of dragonfruit, which brings a refreshing spice and a kick, balanced by the softness of elderflower from the St-Germain. I adorned the glass with dehydrated flower petals to complement the aroma of the drink, and added a dash of club soda and Champagne to elevate the effervescence.
The dragonfruit cordial also serves as the base for cocktail airs, which add a delightful texture and accentuate the bubbles. The sweet acidity of acid-adjusted fresh pineapple juice provides a perfect citrus balance.
Naming this cocktail reminded me of the “Sweet Dragon” character from the legendary movie “Shrek” — powerful yet tender, fiery yet sweet — just like the flavor profile of this drink.”
Smoky Desert
Features:
• Michael Chandler’s branded sponsor Hiatus Reposado Tequila
• Mango Jalapeño Lime Oleo Citrate (special ingredient)
• Chilly Grenadine – made with pomegranate juice, pomegranate molasses, jalapeño and orange blossom water (special ingredient)
• Dehydrated mango powder
• Smoke bubble gun
• orange
• Mezcal Tequila
The desert flowers, aged oak and caramel notes in the Hiatus Reposado Tequila perfectly complement the bold, tropical notes of the mango jalapeño lime oleo citrate I created. I layered this with mezcal tequila and the vibrant chili grenadine to mimic the colors of a desert sunset. The dehydrated mango powder along the rim accentuates the desert-like quality of the drink, while the smoke bubbles add both an aromatic and visual element, enhancing the sensory experience. This cocktail evokes the heat and mystique of a desert sunset, blending tropical sweetness with a smoky finish.