Dos Olas Cantina’s Adriel Danan wins Mountain Mixer cocktail contest

Photo: Park City Restaurant Association.

PARK CITY, Utah — Adriel Danan of Dos Olas Cantina was named this year’s champion of the Mountain Mixer Park City cocktail contest during a live finale Aug. 22, taking the title for his cocktail “Crimson Smoked.”

Mountain Mixer is Park City’s annual cocktail competition, presented by the Park City Area Restaurant Association, or PCARA. Bartenders from restaurants across the city craft and submit original drinks, which then go on local menus for the summer. This year, 21 entries were submitted and judged anonymously by an expert panel throughout July.

The top 10 finalists took the stage at Deer Valley Resort’s Silver Lake Lodge to showcase their cocktail craft in front of an enthusiastic audience and three judges, competing for the title of the summer’s best cocktail.

“This year’s live competition was one for the books as the Park City community toasted, tasted, and cheered on our Top Ten finalists as they battled for the title of the summer’s best cocktail,” said Park City Area Restaurant Association Executive Director Ginger Wicks. “Huge congratulations to Adriel Danan for being named this year’s Mountain Mixer Park City champion and earning some well-deserved bragging rights among his fellow competitors. We also want to congratulate all of our finalists for bringing such creativity and talent to the competition.”

The judging panel included Charles Joly, a global cocktail champion, James Beard Award winner and creative force behind some of the world’s most celebrated drinks; Ben Usen, regional sales director of La Colombe and founder of Installation Coffee; and Casey Metzger, owner of Top Shelf Professional Bar Services.

Chace Ciulla of Timbers Bar & Restaurant took second place with his Cucumber & Jalapeño Gimlet, and Jordan Greiner of The Hirsch placed third with 40º North.