You proved it.

We invited the area's top drink mixologists to prove their skills by competing in the About Magazine Signature Drink Competition. Bartenders and amateur mixologists alike sent us their best concoctions. We received 25 fantastic entries — and no two alike.

Take a peek below at the recipes at all of the entries we received. The winner will be announced in the October issue of About (distributed in late September), along with the other four that rounded out the top five.

The winner will receive a prize package including $200 in cash.

Ruby Red Grapefruit Margarita
Submitted by:  Cara Beisert – North Canton – I love grapefruit and I love margaritas – combine the two and what could be better? Plus, this recipe can be made as is or frozen depending on the drinker’s preference.

16 oz. Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice
4 shots Jose Cuervo Gold Tequila
1 shot Triple Sec
Squeeze of fresh lime juice
Superfine sugar, for rimming glass

Choose a Category:  Pre-dinner or frozen
Type of Glass:  Margarita
Preparation:  Shaker
Rim margarita glass with superfine sugar.  Combine ingredients 1-4 in a cocktail shaker with crushed ice and shake until well mixed. Strain into sugar rimmed glass and garnish with a grapefruit section. Makes 2 cocktails. This drink can also be made frozen by combining all ingredients with crushed ice in a blender.


Summer Lovin’
Submitted by:  Jessica Tsoufiou – North Canton – My husband was entering the contest, so I thought I would try to beat him at his own game!

¾ oz. Stoli Raspberry Vodka
¾ oz. Absolute Mandarin
1 ½ oz. Lemonade
Diet Sprite – top off drink
Grenadine – float on glass (splash)
Respberry – garnish
Orange wedge – garnish

Choose a Category:  Anytime Drink
Type of Glass:  Highball
Preparation:  Built in the Glass
Fill high-ball glass with crushed ice. Pour in the rum and vodka followed by the lemonade. Cap with mixer and shake.  Follow this by topping off with the Diet Sprite and floating a splash of Grenadine for color and sweetness. Garnish in glass with orange wedge and single raspberry.


Cuban Summer
Submitted by:  Adam Tsoufiou – North Canton – I have bartended in the past and love mojitos, so I thought I would give a summer spin to such a good drink.

1 ½ oz. Bacardi Grand Melon Rum
2 tsp. Bar sugar
Mint leaves (approx 15)
4-5 ½” cubed pieces watermelon (save one for garnish)
Club Soda – fill to top
2 wedges Lime

Choose a Category:   Anytime Drink
Type of Glass:  Hurricane
Preparation:  Built in the Glass
Muddle the watermelon, sugar and mint in the bottom of the glass. Once blended, fill glass completely with crushed ice and pour in the rum. Top with club soda and then squeeze a lime wedge. Garnish with a wedge of watermelon and lime on rim of glass.


Berry Mojito
Submitted by:  Lisa Horning – Canton – My fiancé and I are getting married in September. This drink is the “something blue” on the signature drink menu I created for our reception.

1 ½ oz. Bacardi Razz
½ oz. Blue Curacao
½ oz. Chambord
3 mint leaves
Top with soda
½ oz. Rose’s Lime

Choose a Category:  Pre-dinner Drink
Type of Glass:  Hurricane
Preparation:  Built in the Glass
Muddle mint leaves with Rose’s Lime. Fill glass with ice and add Bacardi Razz, Blue Curacao and Chambord. Fill to top with soda water. Stir with straw gently to distribute. Garnish with blue berries or raspberries.


Moo Moo Tea
Submitted by:  Ellen Bruckner – Massillon – I was bartending at Luna Grille during the holidays in 2003. I brought in a carton of (Oregon Brand) Chai Tea concentrate so I could have a cup or two. It had such a “Christmas-time” aroma and I thought why not add to it to make a cocktail! I made a pitcher (not just for me) of it! Yum!

1 ½ oz. Vanilla Stoli Vodka
3 oz. Bailey’s Irish Crème
1 oz. Chai Tea concentrate
(shake vigorously with ice)

Choose a Category:  After Dinner Drink
Type of Glass:  Martini
Preparation:  Shaker
Shake with ice. Strain into chilled-until-frosty martini glass. Garnish with a vanilla bean or nutmeg dusting (if vanilla bean is too costly).


“The Bullseye”
Submitted by:  Jamie Noland – Mogadore – With the onset of the golf season, I was presented with a challenge by a Tuesday night golf league to create a shot titled after the nickname they had previously given to me “Bullseye”.

2 oz. Crown Royal
1 oz. Ginger Ale
Grenadine

Choose a Category:   Shooter
Type of Glass:  Shot Glass
Preparation:  Shaker
Shake with ice Crown Royal and Ginger Ale. Strain into shot glass, sink Roses Grenadine to bottom of glass . . . hint . . . “The Bullseye” (very smooth)


The Happy Chad
Submitted by:  Chad Ferrell – Akron – We at The Barley House have been open for two years now and when we first opened they wanted to create a martini menu, so they had every bartender make a few martinis then we had a martini tasting night with customers and only eight martinis made the list. Also, it was originally named “The Chad” martini but sometimes I’m a bit cranky at work so they renamed it “The Happy Chad”.  Plus the ladies love anything that’s blue.

¼ oz. Orange Stoli
¼ oz. Raspberry Stoli
¼ oz. Blue Caracoa
Double splash of sprite or 7-UP

Choose a Category:   Pre-dinner Drink
Type of Glass:  Martini
Preparation:  Shaker
Add all ingredients into a mixing tin with ice and shake well.  Garnish with a lemon slice and a cherry.  Enjoy!


Bushwacher
Submitted by:  Terri Brown – Canal Fulton – Own variation of a drink I had in the Caribbean on vacation.

Kahlua
Baileys
Amaretto
Crème De Cacao
Vodka
Rum
Coconut Cream

Choose a Category:   Frozen Drink
Type of Glass:  Hurricane
Preparation:  Blender
All equal parts of ingredients. Blend with ice. Drizzle chocolate syrup around inside of glass. Pour and serve.


Birthday Cake Martini
Submitted by:  Keith Joy – Canal Fulton – Unique tasting and visual effect drink. This drink tastes like cake batter and includes a flame replicating a candle. I served this drink to my girlfriend for her birthday and only make it on special occasions now.

Vodka, vanilla (1 part)
Ginger Ale (3 parts)
151 Rum (1 part)

Choose a Category:   After Dinner Drink
Type of Glass:  Martini
Preparation:  Built in the Glass
Pour one part vanilla vodka in glass followed by three parts ginger ale. Lastly, float approximately one ounce of 151 rum. Light and serve. NOTE:  Allow flame to completely burn out and swirl drink to ensure extinguished flame prior to drinking.


Clammy Bloody Mary
Submitted by:  Bruce Mize – North Canton – I have 10 people on video at a condo we rented at Amelia Island, FL this summer testifying I make the best Bloody Mary east of the Mississippi River.

2 oz. Gin or Vodka
4 oz. Clamato Juice
2 oz. Sweetened Lime Juice
5 drops Worchestershire Sauce
Dash celery salt
Dash black pepper
1-2 drops Tobasco

Choose a Category:  Morning Eye Opener
Type of Glass:  Tall Water Glass
Preparation:  Built in Glass
Place ingredients in glass in order above. Stir vigorously. Ad ice and garnish with a slice of lime.


The Original Sazerac Cocktail
Submitted by:  Angus McIntosh – North Canton – Having been an executive chef in Louisiana for 10 years, I naturally love New Orleans. The quintessential New Orleans cocktail is the Sazerac. For the first time in 96 years we can now serve the original recipe with true Absinthe. For a taste of old New Orleans, have a Sazerac at home or come to Iris.

1 sugar cube
4 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters
1 dash Angostura Bitters
2 oz. Rye Whiskey
1 tsp. Absinthe
1 lemon twist

Choose a Category:  Pre-dinner Drink
Type of Glass:  Martini
Preparation:  Shaker
Coat martini glass with Absinthe. In a shaker add 4-5 ice cubes, sugar cube, whiskey and bitters. Stir gently until chilled, strain into coated martini glass. Garnish with lemon twist.


Banana Split
Submitted by:  Teresa Reed – East Canton – A woman came into my second job and wanted a shot that was more like a sweet treat, this is what I came up with.

1/3 part Cherry Vodka
1/3 part Vanilla Vodka
1/3 part Chocolate Vodka
¼ part Frangelica
1/3 part Banana Liquor
½ tsp. Whip Cream
1 cherry garnish

Choose a Category:  After-dinner Drink
Type of Glass:  Rocks Glass
Preparation:  Shaker
Mix all parts in a shaker, put in small serving glass, top with whip cream and cherry.


Mo-tea-o
Submitted by:  Seth Barnes – Canton – Slight twist on a mojito. Looking for something a bit different, cool, and refreshing.

2 oz. Citron Vodka
1 oz. Simple Syrup
10 good sized fresh mint leaves
½ oz. Peach Schnapps
Ice
Iced tea to fill

Choose a Category:  Pre-dinner Drink
Type of Glass:  Tall Collins
Preparation:  Built in Glass
Pour liquors and simple syrup into glass with mint. Muddle the ingredients thoroughly. Add ice. Pour fresh brewed iced tea over ice. Shake. Garnish with lemon slice.


Cranberry Orange Cocktail
Submitted by:  Vivian Fish – Canton – I just wanted something with a kick to it.

½ c. Orange Juice
½ c. Cranberry Juice
¼ c. Tequila
¼ c. Gin
¼ c. Vodka
¼ c. Light Rum
Ice

Choose a Category:  After-dinner Drink
Type of Glass:  Flute
Preparation:  Mixing Glass
Mix ingredients over ice – stir. Strain in to glass. Garnish with orange slice. Drink!


Baked Apple

Submitted by:  Moe Shaheen – Canton

2 oz. Apple Pucker
1 oz. Vodka
½ oz. Cinnamon Schnapps
½ oz. Triple Sec

Choose a Category:  After dinner drink
Type of Glass:  Frozen Martini Glass
Preparation:  Shaker
Combine all ingredients in shaker glass, add ice and strain into frozen martini glass. Garnish with a slice of red delicious and granny smith apples.


Basil Splash
Submitted by:  Kelly Presson – North Canton – A couple came in and asked me to make a basil martini. They had it before but weren’t quite sure what exactly was in it, so we took a chance tried, tweaked the recipe and found something that they thought was acceptable. Since then they have been numerous times to have the basil martini.  I have made it at home from the basil from my garden. I find it refreshing and it’s so simple.

2 leaves Sweet Fresh Basil
3 oz. Absolute Citron
Splash Simple Syrup
Splash Lemon Lime Soda (Sprite or 7-Up)
Hot Water

Choose a Category:   Party Drink
Type of Glass:  Hurricane
Preparation:  Mixing Glass
Muddle 1 leaf of fresh basil in base of a pint glass (if very small splash of hot water is available; splash over top of the basil to help with the muddling, aids with infusion). Add Citron Vodka and then ice. Add small splash of simple syrup and splash of sprite. Shake all ingredients together VIGOROUSLY. Strain into martini glass, garnish with remaining basil leaf and enjoy!


Peach on the Beach
Submitted by:  Maggie Murphy – Canton – One summer at the beach we decided to mix several fruit juices we had, some leftover Hawaiian Punch and to give it a little kick Peach Schnapps and Kettle One Vodka. It has been a hit ever since we first started to mix this concoction in 1985.

1 fifth Peach Schnapps
1 fifth Kettle One Vodka
1 gallon Hawaiian Punch
1 gallon Orange Juice
2 large cans Pineapple Juice

Choose a Category:  Party Drink
Type of Glass:  Hurricane
Preparation:  Mixing Glass
So easy... Mix all ingredients in a big bowl. Pour into glasses over ice, garnish with skewers of pineapple chunk, peach chunk and cherry, and enjoy. I store remaining drink in clean, empty gallon milk containers.


Pusser’s Painkiller #3
Submitted by:  Le Ann Danner – Canton – I’ve NEVER liked rum until this week when I was introduced to the “Painkiller” at Pusser’s here in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, where we were vacationing. Remembering the About drink competition, I just had to share this with my Canton friends!!!

3 oz. Pusser’s Navy Rum
4 oz. Pineapple Juice
1 oz. Cream of Coconut
1 oz. Orange Juice

Choose a Category:  After a sail, a snorkel, a scuba dive or just because...
Type of Glass:  Any glass will do, but the recommended serving is in an enamel mug decorated with the flags of 12  Caribbean nations.
Preparation:  Shaker
Serve on the rocks. Stir and grate fresh nutmeg on top. Remember the great days you spent enjoying this wonderful vacation concoction!


Sandy’s Relax and Stay for Awhile
Submitted by:  Bart Keiser – Canton – We have a great friend in Texas and one hot afternoon while we were going on a walk of some new property, she offered us this drink to take on the walk. It was perfect for a hot afternoon before supper.

2 (12 oz.) cans of Limeade Concentrate
3 c. Tequila
3 c. Water
2 c. Orange Liquor
1 c. Fresh Lime Juice

Choose a Category:   Great for hot lazy afternoon
Type of Glass:  Highball
Preparation:  Makes three quarts
Stir together all ingredients. Chill 8 hours. Serve over ice and garnish with lime slices if desired. Crushed ice is really the best.


Mom’s Slush
Submitted by:  Rosemary Calhoun – Canton – Mom, an absolute tea-toatler, took this concoction out of the freezer and stated “I made something for our BBQ”.  Unsuspecting friends and family scooped up servings and began sipping the slush.  Needless to say, “Mom’s Slush”, was such a refreshing surprise that it became a BBQ tradition.

1 can Limeade
½ can Vodka
½ can Whiskey
1 qt. bottle of Squirt

Choose a Category:   Frozen Drink
Type of Glass:  Highball
Preparation:  Mixing Glass
Mix all ingredients together and place in freezer until slushy.


Tropical Love
Submitted by:  Love Singleton – Canton – It was created as something fruity, sweet and delicious to have for the summer.

¾ oz. Three Olive Mango Vodka
¾ oz. Three Olive Pomegranate Vodka
½ oz. Malibu Coconut Rum
½ oz. Pineapple Juice
½ oz. Orange Juice
Sink of Grenadine
Sugar rim

Choose a Category:   Pre-dinner Drink
Type of Glass:  Martini
Preparation:  Shaker
Fill shaker with ice, combine liquors, and juices. Shake vigorously. Sugar a martini glass, strain shaker and pour ingredients into glass. Add grenadine sink, garnish with orange wheel and serve to your now happy customer!!


Pimm’s Back Porch

Submitted by:  Christina Burkett – Canton – After being introduced to Pimm’s #1 in New Orleans, I decided to play around with it. This is a favorite for summer evenings on the back porch, after dinner or to welcome guests. It’s light and very refreshing.

Large scoop of Lemon Sorbet
1 ½ oz. Pimm’s #1
Ginger ale
Cucumber Slice

Choose a Category:  Pre or After-dinner Drink
Type of Glass:  Martini
Preparation:  Built in the Glass
Build. Place a large scoop of lemon sorbet in martini glass. Pour Pimm’s over top the sorbet and add ginger ale in the same way (you can use champagne to kick it up). Garnish with cucumber slice.


DreamSickle
Submitted by:  Jason Scherer – Canton – I was looking to make a drink that is tasty. That would appeal to women, yet bring out the kid in them. Hence the DreamSickle. Taste is similar to the old orange Popsicle with the cream in the middle.

1.25 Smirnoff Orange
.75 Triple Sec
Crème De Caco
Splash of Orange Juice
Splash of Half and Half
Orange Food Coloring

Choose a Category: Pre-dinner Drink
Type of Glass:  Martini
Preparation:  Shaker
Cake icing at bottom of martini, middle and rim. Orange sprinkles on each layer of icing. Fill to the top. Orange sprinkles on top. Garnish with an Orange.


Passion Punch
Submitted by: David Hentzell – Massillon – Asked to make a drink with the X-rated for the patio.

1 oz. New Amsterdam Gin
1 oz. X-rated Liquor
Tonic
2 slices cucumber
1 slice orange

Choose a Category:  Summer Drink
Type of Glass:  Highball
Preparation:  Mixing Glass
Muddle one slice cucumber and one slice orange with 1 oz. gin in mixing glass. Fill with ice and add 1 oz. X-rated liquor and fill with tonic. Shake and pour into highball glass. Garnish with a slice of cucumber.


Jefftini
Submitted by: Jeff Sutton – Canton – My wife and several other couples purchased a martini party at a local fund raising event. Many folks were tired of the traditional, so I mixed some ingredients and came up with this beverage. It was a major hit.

Vanilla Vodka – 2
Orange Liquor – 1
Pomegranate Juice – 1

Choose a Category: Pre and After-dinner Drink
Type of Glass:  Martini
Preparation:  Shaker
Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Shake and strain into chilled martini glasses. ENJOY!