Winning Vodka Cocktails

GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- In celebration of the 5th annual Dine Out Lauderdale, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau partnered with Premier Beverage in a "Cheers to Five Years Cocktail Contest."

Participating Dine Out Lauderdale restaurants and the public were invited to create an original spirit-infused cocktail reflecting Greater Fort Lauderdale's beach chic vibe in ingredients, look, taste and name, using Stoli Vodka.

"The Dine Out Lauderdale resulting signature drink is the cherry on the top of a great dining promotion. A cocktail that embodies the spirit and flavor of Greater Fort Lauderdale is a perfect complement to a Dine Out Lauderdale dinner," said Nicki E. Grossman, president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau.

And the winners are......

Dine Out Lauderdale's official participating restaurant winner is Jennifer Lancaster, bartender at Lola's on Harrison in Hollywood with The Floridian Fresa. Jennifer's Stoli flavor of choice was Stoli strawberry. For her winning entry, she received a two-night stay at the new Wyndham Deerfield Beach. www.lolasonharrison.com

Coming in second place in the restaurant category was a Sun-Kissed Martini infused with Florida's favorite citrus, a splash of Grand Marnier and Stoli O. Served shaken not stirred by Tonio Bianco at Via Luna Oceanfront Bar and Terrace in The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale. www.ritzcarlton.com/Fortlauderdale

To find the winning "Cheers to Five Years" recipes visit www.sunny.org/dineout .

Below is a list of additional drinks stirred up for the cocktail contest by Dine Out Lauderdale restaurants:

� Thrill on Blueberry Hill: Johnny V brings to the table a tasty drink with a healthy slant. It's a bubbly cocktail flavored with Stoli Blueberry combined with fresh blueberries.

Bring the thrill at home anytime of day. To prepare Thrill on Blueberry Hill muddle two lime wedges with 4-5 mint leaves, add five fresh blueberries and a teaspoon of Agave Nectar. Add some ice and 1.5 oz of Stoli Blueberry with a quick splash of Sprite and soda.

Simply shake and strain over ice in a rocks glass. The last step after poured is a heavy splash of St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur and stir in. Garnish with a few extra blueberries and a lime wheel with a sprig of mint. www.johnnyvlasolas.com

� The Ruby Foo: SAIA at the B Ocean Fort Lauderdale mixed it up with the Ruby Foo, a cocktail inspired by Stolichnaya Strasberi to help expand your "Stoli Palette."

To craft the Ruby Foo cocktail at home, follow the below recipe:
1.25 oz Stolichnaya Strasberi
.75 oz Honjozo Grade Sake
3 ea Fresh Strawberries
3 ea Fresh Basil Leave Medium
.5 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
.75 oz Simple Syrup (50/50 sugar water prep)
1 ea Lime

Prepare in a mixing glass and add strawberries, basil, lemon juice, simple syrup (pre-make with this 50/50 hot water and pure sugar, stirring for 5 minutes and chilling). Completely muddle then add the Stolichnaya Strasberi.

For character and body add the Sake. Fill ice halfway in mixing tin, take a 10 oz Collins glass and fill with ice. Combine mixing glass and tin then shake for 7 seconds, strain into pre-iced Collins glass and add a splash of Ginger Ale. Garnish with a lime wheel that is clipped with a fresh basil leaf. www.saiasushi.com

� Tres Citrus Mohito: The Mojito's popularity increased over the last decade and has become a prominently featured drink at bars and restaurants across the country. Caf� Maxx takes the Mohito to another level in celebration of Dine Out Lauderdale with the Stoli based Tres Cirtus Mohito. www.cafemaxx.com

Pick up the below ingredient to make the authentic Tres Citrus Mohito at home:
1 1/2 oz of Stoli Vodka
2 Sliced Key Limes
1 Slice of Lime
1 Slice of Lemon
1 Mint Sprig
Splash of Agave Syrup and serve on the rocks

� The Shark Bite: No need to worry about a Shark Bite on Fort Lauderdale Beach, just relax at the Mai Kai with a traditional sipping drink with a small bite.

To prepare use a drink mixer, add 1/2 cup of crushed ice, lime juice, simple syrup and 1 oz of Stoli Vodka and mix well. Strain into a chilled glass over cubed ice and top with 1/2 oz of Stoli Vodka as a floater. Serve it in an 8 oz rocks glass. www.maikai.com

For more information about Dine Out Lauderdale, visit www.sunny.org/dineout