Dennis Gobis and his competition cocktail Credit: John Anderson

From time to time, the country’s top spirits-makers offer competitions aimed at getting the country’s best bartenders to use their product. In this case, the cocktail contest is sponsored by a top Bourbon called Four Roses.

Dennis Gobis and his competition cocktail Credit: John Anderson

One of our local mixologists, Dennis Gobis from Drink.Well Pub (207 E. 53rd), has been chosen to fly to Louisville for the contest. He’ll be mixing against nine other candidates June 9-10. If he wins, he comes home with a check for $5,000.

The key ingredient

Now would be a good time for bourbon lovers to stop in and order the cocktail that earned him the chance to compete. It’s called Cat’s Pajamas. He’s been kind enough to share the recipe, but cocktails always taste better from the hands of their creator.

Cat’s Pajamas

2 oz Four Roses Single Barrel

.75 oz Savory & James Cream Sherry

.5 oz Cynar

2 Dashes Barkeep Chinese Five Spice Bitters

Apple slices

Add all ingredients together and stir. Pour into a chilled Leopold’s coupe and garnish with fanned apple slices.

Cat’s Pajamas Credit: John Anderson

This article appears in May 31 • 2013.

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Wes Marshall is the author of What's a Wine Lover To Do? (Artisan) and The Wine Roads of Texas (Maverick), as well as the Executive Producer of the PBS television series of the same name. Wes has written for The Austin Chronicle since 1999, covering wine, cocktails, food, and travel.