his year’s HOT cocktails begin with TABASCO® brand Pepper Sauces. More than 175 unique cocktail recipes from 24 national chains and major casinos, among others, were submitted for consideration in the 2007 competition. Again, it wasn’t easy for the judges. MIXIE entrants, it seems, may have only been getting warmed up in previous years’ contests. After trying these winning recipes (see page 54), you’ll never think of TABASCO® as being only for Bloody Marys.

MIXIE Awards TABASCO® brand $1,000 Grand Prize Winners

Hotel Executives
MOTH TO A FLAME by Casey Fontenette
Complex Banquet Beverage Captain,Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Florida

1-1/4 oz. Southern Comfort
1/2 oz. Disaronno amaretto
1/2 oz. Cointreau
1/2 tsp.TABASCO® brand Pepper Sauce or Green Pepper Sauce

Combine all ingredients and shake well with ice. Strain into a martini glass. Drop a cherry into it. Flame an orange peel twist and drop it into the drink.

Hotel Bartenders
CAJUN VOLCANO by David Sopka
Bartender, Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort, Marco Island, Florida

3/4 oz. Southern Comfort
3/4 oz. amaretto
1/2 oz. vodka
1-1/4 oz. pineapple juice
1-1/4 oz. orange juice
3/4 oz. sweet and sour mix
3/4 oz. grenadine
8 drops TABASCO® brand Sweet & Spicy Pepper Sauce

Combine all ingredients, shake well, and pour over ice. Garnish with a lime wedge, lemon wedge, orange slice, and a cherry. For a martini, use only six drops of TABASCO® brand Sweet & Spicy Pepper Sauce. Shake well with other ingredients and strain into a large, pre-chilled martini glass.

Anderson, Rody, Marriott Waterside Hotel and Marina, Tampa, Florida–Sweet and Sour

Anderson, Theresa, Indianapolis Marriott Downtown, Indianapolis, Indiana–Spicy Señorita

Barltrop, Laura, and Chris Reamer, Four Points by Sheraton, Kingston, Ontario–Ginger Snap

Bennett, Michael, InterContinental Hotel Cleveland, Cleveland–Smokey River

Bostic, David Lee, Canaan Valley Resort, Davis, West Virginia–Canaan Campfire, Flaming Cantaloupe

Broydo, Lina, Fairmont San Jose, San Jose, California– Green Mary, iCocktail, Tajito

Bruns, Shane, Emily Morgan Hotel, San Antonio, Texas—Mi Oro'Chelada, ORO Kicker, the Cajun Martini

Bryant, Jessica, Mystic Marriott Resort & Spa, Groton, Connecticut–Hot Cider, Hotini, Mango on Fire, Champotle, Verde de Envidia

Bussenius, Caroline, Hilton Chicago, Chicago–Tabatini

Cabarcas, Alejandro, Holiday Inn, Totowa, New Jersey–Melon Fire

Chance, Kamuel, Sheraton Yankee Clipper, Fort Lauderdale, Florida–Clippernotic, the Vampire

Cochran, Scott, Mark Hopkins Hotel, San Francisco, California–Second Date Basil Martini

Colcleasure, Joe, Doubletree Hotel Denver, Denver –Thai Mary Tini

Cooper, Michael, InterContinental Hotel Cleveland, Cleveland–Mexican Mole Mochatini

Cullen, Maura, Ballantyne Resort, Charlotte, North Carolina–Ballantyne Bloody Mary, the Flaming Peach

Culver, Sally, Beau Rivage Resort and Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi–Hot and Dirty

Davies, Chris, Windemere Hotel, Sierra Vista, Arizona–Cowboy Cocktail

Delarocco, David, Hilton Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut–Fish Bait

Domingue, Don, Hyatt Regency Irvine, Irvine, California–Smoked GTO, Sweet & Spicy Pepperpot, Sweet Pepperpot

Dunn, Kevin, Belmont Hotel, Dallas–Belmontini

Erfesoglou, Sofia, Crowne Plaza North Houston Greenspoint, Houston–Cocobasco Summer, Hot and Likin’ It, Santorini Sunset

Evans, D.J., Marriott Tampa Airport, Tampa, Florida–Neptune’s Fiery Breath

Fencl, Kevin, Doubletree Guest Suites Downers Grove, Downers Grove, Illinois–Mandarin Spice

Fields, Jonathon, Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island, Amelia Island, Florida–Atomic Fireball

Fincke, Henry, Renaissance Charleston, Charleston, South Carolina–Hot Mandarin Apple, Hot Nuts

Flores, Miguel, Crowne Plaza Phoenix Airport, Phoenix, Arizona–Red Diablito

Fontenette, Casey, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel, Lake Buena Vista, Florida–Cafe Caliente, First Burn of Summer, Madagascar Spice, Mark's Contradiction, Moth to the Flame, Sweet and Spicy

Germano, Mia, Westin Diplomat Resort and Spa, Hollywood, Florida–Firepower, Fresh and Hot, Hot Zen, Sizzled Pear, Smokin' Hot Orange, the Heated Pear

Gilbert, David, the Inn At Keystone, Keystone, Colorado–Applepear Tini

Ginsberg, Melissa, Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center, Kissimmee, Florida–Three Mile Mary

Glaoui, Aladin, Hilton Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut–Drunken Oyster

Grant, Jennifer, Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley, East Palo Alto, California–Sweet Agave, the Hottie

Grunde, Jonathan, Hilton Vancouver, Vancouver, Washington–Cilantro Picante, Smoked Green Martini, Spicy Buffalo Martini

Hanson, Jordan, Birmingham Hilton Perimeter Park, Birmingham, Alabama–Kiss of the Dragon

Hernandez, Sal, Holiday Inn Civic Center, Laredo, Texas–Banderitas (shooters), Caliente Apple Tini, Chelada (Red Beer), Michelada Cubana, Rabid Dog, Vampirito

Hibner, Shaun, Sheraton Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina–Brazilian Nights

Howell, Jessica, Embassy Suites Hotel, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Atlanta–Hot Tequila

Hutton, Amanda, Omni Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida–the Bonks Martini

Jones, James Michael, Marriott Waterside Hotel and Marina, Tampa, Florida–Jamaican Martini

Kalkut, Kevin, Hilton Chicago, Chicago–Citrus-Spiced Almond

Kendrick, Morris, Marriott Waterside Hotel and Marina, Tampa, Florida–Eye Opener

Kohn, Dan, Marriott Waterside Hotel and Marina, Tampa, Florida–Twist n Shout

Kucan, Mirjana, Hilton-Austin, Austin, Texas– Cucumber del Fuego, Cucumber del Fuego #2

Lacroix, Michelle, Renaissance Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale, Florida–After Party, McIlhenny Avocado Martini, the “Genuine” Bud

Lamoureux, Keith, Radisson Hotel MacArthur Airport, Holtsville, New York–Bloody Brutus (aka: Et tu Brute), Camarón Cocktail

Law, Jay, Westminster Hotel, Strip House, Livingston, New Jersey–the Chili Winter

Maier, Wulf, InterContinental Chicago–Angel Fire

Massett, Kelly, Hilton Wilmington/Christiana, Newark, Delaware–Hot Cocoa, Hot Katrina, Hot Rumball

McCauley, Lillian, and Trish Blackburn, Shilo Inn Suites, Killeen, Texas–Great Balls of Fire, Indiana Jones

McLain, Kari, Great Wolf Lodge, Traverse City, Michigan–Summer Fever, Tabasc-in the Sun

Meehan, Nicole, and Kelly Massett, Hilton Wilmington/ Christiana, Newark, Delaware–Hot Night in Paradise

Minnix, Jennifer Lynn, Jekyll Island Club Hotel, Jekyll Island, Georgia–Bloody Mess, Very Mary

Moericke, Robin, Hilton Guam Resort & Spa, Tumon Bay, Guam–Hot Shot

Morrison, Joyce, InterContinental Hotel Cleveland, Cleveland–Fire on Ice

Nishizawa, Ken, Hilton Guam Resort & Spa, Tumon Bay, Guam–High Pressure

Owens, Russell, Skamania Lodge, Stevenson, Washington–Bloody Mary Blaster, Cowboy Cocktail, Hot Tropic, Nutty Mexican Pepper, Spicy Passion, Sweet Hot Summer

Pareek, Anil, Hyatt Regency Reston, Reston, Virginia– Wildfire

Peckham, Matt, the Royal Hotel, Durban, South Africa–McIlhenny's Flat Liner

Quarles, Jenny, and Matthew Stegherr, Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta, Atlanta–Fire and Ice, Lui-T., Spicy Grapefruit Smash

Reamer, Chris, Four Points by Sheraton, Kingston, Ontario–Coffin Nail, Greek Fire, Sizzle & Burn, Better Off Dead (hangover cure)

Richards, Patricia, Wynn Las Vegas, Las Vegas–Fiesta Maria, Hot Apple Pie, the Big Easy

Romero, George, Hyatt Regency Phoenix, Phoenix –Spicy Sinorita

Sager, Jack, Marriott Waterside Hotel and Marina, Tampa, Florida–Super Tabasco Bloody

Saunders, Keith, Hotel Captain Cook, Anchorage, Alaska–Alaska King Crab Martini, Bloody Alaskan, Patron Aphrodisiac

Schippits, Blair, Doubletree Guest Suites Downers Grove, Downers Grove, Illinois–Pineapple Salsa Mojito

Silvey, Diane, Bellagio (Fontana Bar), Las Vegas–Hot Hot Chocolate, Hottie, Rajin Cajin, Sunburn, Three Alarm Fire

Smith, Michael, Embassy Suites Cleveland-Rockside, Independence, Ohio–Fightin’ Irishmen, McIlhenny Meltdown, Montezuma’s Revenge

Soldesi, Edward, Sheraton Hotel of Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama–Gostosao

Sopka, David, Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort, Marco Island, Florida–Asian Cajun, Cajun Volcano

Spears, Karin, and Bob Klees, InterContinental Chicago, Chicago–In the Heat of Passion, Ring of Fire, SonuvaPEACH!, the Sunburn

Stark, Tammy, Hilton Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut– Smoking Hot Shot

Stefanov, Valentin, Niagara Fallsview Casino and Resort, Niagara Falls, Ontario–Heat Wave

Stover, Jessica, Hilton Garden Inn Renton, Renton, Washington–Satan’s Gold, Sweet & Spicy, Tabasco Mary, the Hot Hispanic

Tetti, David, Hard Rock Hotel Chicago, Chicago–Latini

Thacker, Samantha, Canaan Valley Resort, Davis, West Virginia–Bloody Tiger, Haverty, Magnolia, Matewan, Ridge Runner, Spade, Starter, Tanner, Tyler

Tirums, Erik, Loews Miami Beach Hotel, Miami Beach, Florida–Chipotle Caipirinha

Vetere, James, InterContinental Hotel Cleveland, Cleveland–Smok’n Peaches

Vindiola, Anna, Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa, Monterey, California–Monterey Michalata, Monterey Plaza Martini, Plaza Bloody Caesar Martini

Virando, Ross, Hyatt Regency Sacramento, Sacramento, California–Cancun Collins

Wakeman, Stephen, Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa, Groton, Connecticut–Bayou Breeze, Hot Monkey

Waldheim, Marcelo, Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles West Side, Culver City, California–Milagro Caliente

Walters, Sylvia, Hilton Garden Inn Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky–Flaming Margarita

Warnham, Leigh, Hilton Chicago, Chicago–Bloody Mary Martini, Flaming Cherry

Wolf, Lindsay, Embassy Suites Hotel, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Atlanta–Cherry Bomb, Naked Mary, the Bleeding Heart

Yedlin, Jeff, and Bernie Winter, Luxor Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas–Fire Away

Zyla, JZ, Embassy Suites Hotel, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Atlanta–Jimi Tini

Zyla, JZ, and Nick Waldorf, Embassy Suites Hotel, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Atlanta–General Tso’s Tini