COFFEE COCKTAIL

Rusty Hamlin, executive chef at Atkins Park Tavern (794 North Highland Ave., Virginia-Highland) took home the grand prize for July's Starbucks Bartender Contest. Contestants were asked to create a new cocktail with Starbucks Coffee Liqueur. Hamlin won with some help from a home grown mixer. Chef Rusty's Coffee Coke Float blends the liqueur with Absolut vanilla vodka, Irish cream, vanilla ice cream and Coca-Cola.

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ANOTHER PERCOLATING POTION

Coffee cocktails are invading the barroom in New York, too. The Raspberry Espresso Martini is a hit at Barmarche. One ounce each of Stoli vanilla and Stoli raspberry vodkas flow together with ¸ ounce of Chambord, Ç ounce of Kahlua, one ounce of simple syrup, and a shot of espresso. It's shaken on ice and strained into a martini glass. Three coffee beans make up the garnish.

TEQUILA CREATIVITY

The folks at Sauza are saying tequila isn't just for margaritas anymore. The Tequila Canyon goes into a tropical direction all its own. 1¸ ounce of Sauza Conmemorativo Anejo tequila splashes with ? ounce of triple sec, 4 ounces of cranberry juice, and ? ounce each of pineapple and orange juices.

— Jon Waterhouse

IN THE DRINK

Chef Rusty Hamlin's Coffee Coke Float
3 parts Starbucks Coffee Liqueur
1 1/2 parts Absolut vanilla vodka
1 part Irish cream
1 scoop vanilla ice cream
Combine ingredients in a tall glass and fill with Coke.