photo: David Olsen
Customers used to be content watching liquids poured into a glass one after another. But these days at Hacienda del Sol’s Terraza del Sol, patrons can witness bartender Eddie Pain harvest their drink’s ingredients.
From the patio’s garden Pain snips some basil, picks a lime, snaps off a cucumber. Pain is excited about organic, culinary drinks, and he’s the winner among Arizonans who participated in a cocktail mixology competition sponsored by Bombay Sapphire and GQ magazine. He topped 31 other competitors on June 13, impressing the judges with his original recipe and use of fresh ingredients.
“It was a long night,” Pain said. “But it was an honor. One of the judges (of the competition’s next phase) is one of the best mixologists out there.”
Pain’s capitalization on the hottest trend in cocktail preparation – fresh from the garden – will send him to the national mix-off held in September in Las Vegas. There, the Tucson native will compete against more than 40 other bartenders to have his drink selected as Bombay Sapphire’s newest signature cocktail. The drinks are judged based on taste and appearance, practicality and product availability.
Pain’s original recipe, the Hacienda Cooler, includes freshly picked cucumber and cilantro, agave nectar, lime and, of course, Bombay Sapphire gin. He chose the ingredients to complement the blend of herbs used in Bombay Sapphire so as not to overpower the gin’s taste. The drink is now available as part of the new menu at Terraza del Sol, the resort’s new casual restaurant.
As a bartender, Pain has done the rounds of the culinary establishment, working for several of Tucson’s top chefs. He started at Hacienda del Sol almost a year ago on news that the resort was overhauling its menu, and his penchant for freshness meshed with the ideas for the revamp.
Pain’s mixes earned him a nomination from the representative of the hotel’s liquor supplier, Alliance Beverage, and three months later, Bombay Sapphire named him the most inspired bartender in Arizona.
Hours are Mon-Sat, 5:30-10 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m. - 1:45 p.m. The Terraza at Hacienda del Sol is located at 5501 N. Hacienda del Sol, 529-3500, HaciendaDelSol.com/dining
Up coming events at Hacienda del Sol: (Details at HaciendaDelSol.com)
July 10: Explore the Gardens - Chef prepares a sample menu item using the garden ingredients.
July 12: Vodka Pairing
July 20: The World of Chocolate
July 26: Full Moon BBQ Madness
Aug 5: Mixology Class
Aug 9: Champagne & Caviar
Aug 14: Explore the Gardens - Chef prepares a sample menu item using the garden ingredients.
Aug 17: Cocktails & Canapes
Aug 23: Micro Brew/Artisan Beer Pairing
