Katie Renshaw of Chicago was named the 2019 U.S. Bartender of the Year at the United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG) World Class Finals Sponsored by Diageo. The national finals took place on June 10 and brought together 15 finalists from around the country for an intensive two-day, five-part challenge.
Renshaw’s attention to detail and outside-the-box thinking immediately caught the eye of the judges. She won the Bulleit Final Frontier Challenge, awarded to a finalist who mastered the art of the cultural frontier that the Bulleit brand aligns itself with, as well as the national title with the Flex Yo Hustle cocktail (recipe below). Renshaw will represent the U.S. in Glasgow, Scotland this September for the Global World Class Finals and to compete for the esteemed 2019 Bartender of the Year title.
In addition to the national title, Renshaw will also collaborate with the Bulleit Distilling Co. bar manager to create the first signature cocktail menu for visitors at the new Bulleit Distilling Co. cocktail bar. The Bulleit Distilling Co. Visitor Experience on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, in Shelbyville, KY, will open to the public later this month.
Flex Yo Hustle
1 oz. Bulleit 10
1 oz. Bulleit bourbon
1 oz. Coconut milk-oolong syrup
½ oz. Lemon juice
½ oz. Lime juice
1 oz. Cardamom-infused cream
1 egg white
Soda water
¼ oz. cup Coffee-bourbon caviar
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker and shake. Pour into a Collins glass over spear ice cube. Garnish with coconut ash and an engraved lemon peel.