USA Champions get ready for the 26th Marie Brizard International Bartender Seminar and Competition in Bordeaux, France This year's MARIE BRIZARD Cocktail Challenge in east coast named Don Lee as the USA Champions. Just behind the champions, Eben Freeman came in 2nd place. And the special Hospitality Award went to Tony Perez from Philadelphia, who received the most public votes on the official website of the MARIE BRIZARD Cocktail Challenge at http://www.cocktailtimes.com/mariebrizard. The USA champions will travel to Bordeaux, France in December to compete in the international final at the 26th MARIE BRIZARD International Bartender Seminar (IBS). During the seminar, they will have the opportunity to visit MARIE BRIZARD Distillery and tour the beautiful wine region of Bordeaux. For over 25 years, thousands of top bartenders from around the world have participated in this annual event at the home of MARIE BRIZARD. It is one of the most rewarding lifetime experiences for the world's bar professionals. "I am incredibly honored to be one of the USA Champions. I will do my best to show the other international bartenders what team USA is capable of doing. I am looking forward to not only the learning experience of the official seminars, but also to meet and learn from all the other bartenders," says Don Lee, who will team up with the west coast USA Champion, Jackie Patterson. "I am beyond excited to have won the Challenge. And now I have the opportunity to represent San Francisco and the U.S. cocktailian culture in France. MARIE BRIZARD is the name that has been identified with quality in flavoring for centuries, so I am looking forward to seeing how they produce their liqueurs in Bordeaux," says Patterson.
FINAL CHALLENGE DRINK:Peche Julep Ingredients: 3/4 oz MARIE BRIZARD PECHE DU VERGER 2 oz Rittenhouse Rye 1/4 oz tsp brown sugar Garnish: mint sprig Build all ingredients in a julep or rocks glass. Swizzle with crushed ice and garnish with mint sprig. 
SHORT DRINK:Orange Spur Ingredients: 1/2 oz MARIE BRIZARD ANISETTE 2 oz Sobieski vodka 1/2 oz Aperol 2 dashes Angostura bitters Garnish: Fennel slice Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass. Stir with cracked and whole ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a spur shaped fennel slice. (Tip: Store sliced fennel in dry vermouth to prevent oxidation) 
TALL DRINK:Banane Flip Ingredients: 1/2 oz MARIE BRIZARD BANANE 3 oz Maker's Mark bourbon 1/2 oz simple syrup 4 crushed Nilla Wafers 1 whole egg Garnish: Nilla wafer and banana slice Finely crush 4 Nilla wafers. Add all ingredients to mixing tin. Dry shake without ice to emulsify egg. Shake with ice and strain into a short narrow glass. Garnish with Nilla wafer and banana slice. View More Challengers
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Since 1755 MARIE BRIZARD liqueurs have been produced in Bordeaux, France, a region renowned throughout the world for its tradition of quality wines. Today, Marie Brizard is available in over 120 countries with the reputation of the highest quality liqueurs for the top bartenders.
This is his first appearance in Marie Brizard Cocktail Challenge, though Lee has recently placed in several national cocktail competitions including the 2007 Moet & Chandon, 2007 Vinos de Jerez, 2008 Averna, 2008 Rhum Clement, and 2008 St-Germain Invitational. When he isn't in a bar you can usually find him indulging his love of pork at one David Chang's Momofuku restaurant. Please visit Don Lee at PDT on 113 St Marks Place in Manhattan. For reservations, please call 212 614 0386.
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