The “Cucumber Skini-Tini” is Pasadena’s Favorite Cocktail 2013

Announcing Pasadena’s favorite cocktail: The Cucumber Skini-tini by Toro Sushi Bar Lounge. At the culmination of a six-week long celebration of the cocktail, four finalist cocktails underwent the scrutiny of live judging by the people of Pasadena, choosing the Cucumber Skini-tini as the overall winner.

The Pasadena Chamber of Commerce hosted the second “SIP-tember: a Celebration of the Cocktail” at the Rose Bowl on Thursday.

The Cucumber Skini-tini deliciously mixes up Skinny Girl Cucumber Vodka, simple syrup, sweet & sour, fresh muddled mint and cucumber. Event attendees said they were delighted with its sweetness yet surprised by the flavor that simply popped.

The other three finalist cocktails, after four rounds of voting and 4,962 votes cast, were: The Tap Room at the Langham Pasadena’s CC Crush; Green Street Restaurant’s Bourbon Blackberry Collins; and Kal’s Mediterranean Bistro’s Arugula Rocket.

“This is always a fun event and I think everyone had a great time,” Event Coordinator and Chamber of Commerce CEO Paul Little said.

At the event revelers enjoyed great food and drink from 24 of Pasadena’s best restaurants and caterers along with wine tasting with Old Oak Cellars winery and more. Everyone had a great time dancing, tasting foods and trying the best drinks in town.

“I loved trying new foods and sampling from some restaurants I had never heard of. It’s a fun event,” Tanwja Singeetham said.

Restaraunts included POP Champagne Bar, Citrus X, California Pizza Kitchen, Osawa Sushi, Maria’s Italian Kitchen, Green Street, The Raymond Restaurant, Pita Jungle, Simply Cupcakes, and many more all offering delectable treats.

The idea for the cocktail challenge was born with a desire to remember Pasadena native Julia Child for her contributions to culinary and television history. Since Julia Child was known to enjoy a good cocktail, the Commerce decided to throw the citywide cocktail party on her birthday, August 15th, at venues throughout the city. At the same time, they wanted to highlight Pasadena’s restaurants and lounges. The SIP-tember Cocktail Bracket Challenge and Celebration of the Cocktail was a fun and novel way to lead into the Taste of Pasadena event at the Rose Bowl.