Max Prussner was at the event that night, not to compete, but to work. As the head bartender at Kimi’s, Prussner can be found at the bar almost every night, shaking upscale cocktails and cracking open craft beers for adoring customers. At Motif’s March Mixology Madness, Prussner was going about his usual routine of taking and making customers’ orders. After some persistence from owner Kimi Rich, Prussner entered the competition day-of and on a whim. Without preparation and curated ingredients like the other competitors, his chances of coming out victorious were slim. Despite this, we quickly learned to never bet against this mustached drink slinger. The judges ended up being blown away by his well-balanced drink and happy-go-lucky attitude, despite being the ill-prepared wild card. In the end, he took home the first-place prize. The drink’s recipe is below; as for its conceptualization, Prussner says lack of sleep, tequila being his spirit animal, and the excitement of a last-minute entry lent a hand in making this drink a real winner. Find Prussner also working at Justine’s on certain nights and out on the town on his days off. •
Rose & Thorn
1.75 tequila
1 rose
1 lime
.5 aperol
Egg white
Add to shaker and dry shake. Add ice and continue shaking for another 15 seconds Pour into a coop.
2 dashes of wood bitters
Using an atomizer, one spritz of mezcal
Garnish with a dehydrated lemon.
