Adult Alcoholic Disneyland with Cocktail Theater

Photo by Jason Sorge

A few weeks ago Edible Skinny had a chance to check out Rob Floyd’s Cocktail Theatre at 41 Ocean in Santa Monica! 

Cocktail Theater is billed as an educational tasting series with “elements of the History Channel meets ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show.’” And with men in bedecked in chicken outfits, Margaritas finished with Grand Marnier mouse, and Ciroc Peach frozen drink that chilled to -359 F, we were not disappointed!

This once a month show is an adult alcoholic Disneyland with all the love and energy of a zany libation filled It’s a Small World Universe.  Cocktail Theater has been performed at such liquor loving LA locales as The Parlour, Bagatelle, Roosevelt Hotel, and the Umbrella Company.  Floyd has also taken Cocktail Theater on the road to the Roosevelt Hotel in Las Vegas and Boom Boom Room at Standard Hotel in New York. 

The night started with a greeting cocktail that was composed fresh macerated raspberry, champagne, champagne bitters, and a kiss of sugar.  Since the theme for the month was a “Salute to Bikinis and Beach Bums,” the next two drinks honored the birth of beach life.  The first paid homage to Brigette Bardot her infamous debut of the bikini, done with Aperol, No. 3 Gin, lemon and caramelized Chartreuse.  The second gave props to Mr. Jimmy Buffet with a classic Margarita with a sexy Grand Marnier mousse finishing it off. 

This was then followed by the dazzling Liquid nitrogen drink (which including said chicken man dancing the limbo) that was frozen at -359 F and was composed of a pineapple blackberry drink done with Ciroc Peach.

Floyd finished the night off with witty conversation (he’s from Edible Skinny’s home state!) while sipping on barrel aged Manhattan with Bulleit Bourbon Carpano Antica and a house made cinnamon bitters.

Cocktail Theater is all about entertaining and educating both near and far.  In the near future Floyd’s been scheduled for shows in Mexico City and Tokyo so if you get the chance to see him while he’s local, do it!  (The next show is August 22nd!)

Brainy and Boozy: 41 Ocean's Cocktail Theatre

Rob Floyd, the National Director of Mixology at 41 Ocean in Santa Monica, has created a zany libation filled Universe with his irreverent and informed Cocktail Theatre. 

Floyd explains Cocktail Theatre as an educational tasting series with “elements of the History Channel meets ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’”

The first sold out show, which bestows a wry and fantastical view on the history of mixology, featured the story of a luchadore, bunny, and an angry fairy.  This Saturday Floyd will return again with a, “Salute to Bikinis and Beach Bums,”exclusively held at 41 Ocean on Friday, July 11^th.

 

Floyd has quite the history as a craft concocter, working at such hotspots at Park Avalon in NYC, Chateau Marmont (where he was named of one of the Top Bartenders in America by Blackbook Magazine in 2007), The Bazaar, and the Library Bar at The Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles (where he was lead mixologist).

After building what the Huffington Post called “the top molecular mixology program in America,” Floyd topped his own CV by designing unforgettable cocktails for the EMMY’S, GRAMMY’S AND OSCAR’S campaign.  He is currently on a national radio show with Chef Jamie Gwen, where he’s constantly composing new creations and sharing his wealth of blending knowledge.

But most special of all is his Cocktail Theatre shows which for the past two years, have been selling out in places like Los Angeles, New York, and Las Vegas.  In the near future Floyd’s been scheduled for more shows in Mexico City and even Tokyo.

For those looking to check out Rob’s one-of-a-kind show you can click HERE.

Something To Check Out: Pavan Liqueur's Sangria-Off

This Sunday, from 4-6 pm Santa Monica’s 41 Ocean Club hosts what might be the world’s coolest event: a Sangria-off!
 

Hosted by France’s Pavan Liqueur, a select group of international bartenders will compete for the title in the Pavan Sangria Challenge. This battle of creative mixology asks participants to create original Pavan sangria recipes inspired by the dream escape destination of their choice. The Challenge’s winner will receive, you guessed it, an all expense paid to vacation to the desired destination of their choosing. And if that’s not enough, the public gets to join in the fun with FREE samplings of each carefully crafted concoction from 4-6pm.

Pavan Liqueur by www.jennifermitchellphotography.com

The Los Angeles’ round of this international competition will chose semifinalists by a panel of expert judges, including cocktail writer, author and spirits industry legend Gaz Regan; and Pavan Master Blender Pascal Ribes.

Participants will prepare their flavor-forward batches for industry professionals and consumer guests. Judges will evaluate these lucky five contestants based on: quality and taste, visual presentation, and creativity and representation of dream destination. In LA, the panel of judges includes: Aidan Demarest, owner of Neat spirits bar in Glendale, board member of the Sporting Life LA and judge at the San Francisco World Spirits competition; and cocktail blogger Caroline on Crack, winner of the 2012 LA Weekly Web Award for Best Bar Blogger and cocktail blogger for Los Angeles Magazine.

However these industry standouts are not the only ones who get a say. After sampling each sweet and sassy sangria, the public will also be asked to cast their ballot to determine who will move on to the Finals. While choosing a favorite might be hard, we’re sure the people of Santa Monica are up to the challenge!

In the final round five finalists will advance to New York on February 8, 2014 to present their prized sangria creations. While one entrant from each event will progress to the finals, an additional wildcard will also be chosen to compete in the People’s Choice round on Pavan’s Facebook page: Facebook.com/PavanLiqueur.  The wildcard with the most votes will proceed to the Pavan Sangria Challenge finals.  Consumers who vote on Facebook for their favorite wildcard semifinalist are also entered to win a trip for two to the finals in New York. The Facebook People’s Choice voting will be held from January 6 – 20.

The Los Angeles Semifinal for the Pavan Sangria Challenge will be held this Sunday from 4-6 at 41Ocean Club. The club will also serve their own featured Pavan cocktail and some of their signature dishes.  The Edible Skinny would love to see you all there and as always, hopes life is delicious!