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For the past month, many of the city’s best bartenders have been whipping up all sorts of fancy cocktails inspired by various sculptures, paintings and other fine works at the Corcoran Gallery of Art. This past Saturday, the fruits of their libationary labor were put to the test at the Corcoran’s annual Artini fund-raiser. Judges awarded top honors to P.O.V.‘s Joe Ambrose for his “Theo’s Flower,” inspired by Terry Winters’ 1982 oil painting Theophrastus Garden, while fan favorite accolades went to the “Zeitgeist,” Ronald Flores of Art & Soul‘s riff on another oil painting, Aaron Douglas’ 1936 work Into Bondage. The event raised almost $50,000 for the Corcoran’s arts education program ArtReach.
The pros have had their fun. Now, it’s your turn.
Y&H is seeking your ideas for an artistically inspired cocktail that is a bit more accessible to the average layperson than some liquored-up riff on the highfallutin art on display at the Corcoran. Maybe you’re inspired by graffiti, found objects and other street art. Maybe you’re inspired by, say, that ubiquitous portrait of actor Jonathan Goldsmith—-you know, the “most interesting man in the world” from the Dos Equis commercials—-which you see hanging on the wall at Wisdom, Grand Central and other bars around town. You could call it the “Stay Thirstini.” Maybe it’s a glorified Michelada incorporating Goldsmith’s professed favorite brand of suds. Maybe it’s something entirely less cheesy.
Eric Holzherr, winner of the 2009 Artini contest and City Paper readers’ runner-up for “Best Mixologist 2012,” has agreed to judge the submissions. He’ll pick the best one and feature it for a limited time on the menu at his cocktail-centric H Street boîte, Fruit Bat. The winner also receives a $100 tab at the Bat, or one of Holzherr’s other spots, Wisdom and Church & State (your pick).
To qualify, your cocktail must not suck.
Email your recipe, a photo of your artistic inspiration and your contact information by April 15 to hungry@washingtoncitypaper.com.