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A true family experience. GOLF OUTINGS • PRIVATE EVENTS • FITNESS • DINING MEMBERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE NORTH JERSEY COUNTRY CLUB 594 HAMBURG TURNPIKE WAYNE, NJ 07470-2084 973.942.2590 www.northjerseycc.com VUE Magazine co-founder Brian Kovener was chosen as one of four judges for the Shanghai Shake's NJ finalists, noting that Delgra and Nelson's initial cocktails were the most impressive. Nelson dubbed his cocktail: Pomme Blanc. e drink used Camus Very Special, green chartreuse, house-made apple butter, lemon juice, walnut bitters, egg white, citrus zest, grated cinnamon, garnished with a cinnamon stick. "When I first was trying to make a cognac cocktail, I wanted to go for a grown-up apple martini mixed with a sidecar. When I heard we were using Camus, I knew we didn't have that apple thing going on so I substituted that with apple butter to bring the warm, sweet notes out of the cognac," Nelson said. Delgra's "My Cherie Amour" also used Camus Very Special and featured St. George Coffee, Averna and Mole Bitters. "When I think cognac, I think 'aer dinner or aer dessert.' So what I've created is a sort of nightcap-style coffee drink–which features Mole Bitters and my absolute favorite coffee liqueur, St. George NOLA," Delgra said, while recreating the cocktail for Kovener and the other judges. ough Nelson's Pomme Blanc landed him in the lead of the first round (and first pick at the mystery ingredients for round two), Delgra ultimately came out on top as told by the event's judges. As such, Delgra joined the other finalists in Shanghai for the final rounds of the competition. In September, the final rounds were set with contestants from six different international regions, markets the 156-year-old cognac house has focused its efforts on. e third and final round featured a similar mystery box-style event (such as the one at Hudson & Co. here in New Jersey) which featured a syrup made from Sichuan peppercorns, jasmine and rose petals. ough New Jersey representative Alexander Delgra failed to reach first place in China, it was no doubt an experience of a lifetime for the local bartender. With all the buzz surrounding the competition, Shanghai Shake is sure to grow in 2020. U.S. finalist, Jesse Peterson from Raised by Wolves in San Diego, took first place in Shanghai. V U E N J . C O M 125

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