| Have you noticed how cocktails have suddenly | | | | it's a good package. Most of us aren't making unique |
| become so popular? I travel frequently and often read | | | | cocktails on a regular basis, so any personable |
| an article on the train or plane about a new cocktail | | | | bartender (and really, what bartender isn't?) will be able |
| bar, a rising bartender star new on the scene, or even | | | | to teach your guests something of value. |
| a great CD to play at your own cocktail party | | | | Your bartender could start the session by teaching bar |
| Why not ride this benefit auction trend and work to | | | | basics, such as why bottles are arranged in a specific |
| incorporate a cocktail element into your own auction? | | | | order along the back bar. Or tricks for remembering |
| Is there a up-and-coming bartender in your city? Or | | | | that the grapefruit juice is an ingredient in Sea Breeze, |
| maybe you know of a popular place that the after-five | | | | while pineapple juice goes into a Bay Breeze. Or why |
| o'clock crowd likes to frequent? | | | | any drink with the word "wall" in its title means Galliano |
| At one benefit auction earlier this year, I sold a unique | | | | is one of the drink's ingredients. Perhaps your |
| cocktail package. It consisted of a two-hour cocktail | | | | mixologist could teach three different cocktails in the |
| instruction for six guests and was hosted by a popular | | | | class, including his (or the restaurant's) signature drink. |
| mixologist known for his unique spin on traditional drinks. | | | | The other advantage of asking for this donation is that |
| The item sold for $900 - almost twice its value - and | | | | there is a good chance that if a trendy restaurant |
| drew lots of interest from the crowd. We sold the | | | | won't donate you a dinner, the management might be |
| same item a few months later at a different event for | | | | open to donating a cocktail-only instruction. This type of |
| $1500. Not a bad price! | | | | donation is less expensive than a full-blown dinner, so |
| This particular bartender had won the regional | | | | some restaurants might favor it. |
| semi-finals for the Domaine de Canton Bartender of | | | | Go ahead - impress your local establishments with |
| the Year competition in December 2008, beating out | | | | your creativity and give it an ask. |
| nine top New York bartenders. No doubt about it, he | | | | And friends, lest you forget ... it's always polite to invite |
| had a strong resume. | | | | your auctioneer to the fun. I'll be keeping an eye on my |
| But even if you select someone with less credentials, | | | | email for your invite. |