Drink This: The Jimmy Barela Cocktail

Drink This is NBCLA's weekly taste of local sips

Your job: get to the bar. Our job: Help you find that perfect drink. This week, NBCLA's "Drink This" journey takes us out for...

The Jimmy Barela: Jimmy Barela was a bartender at Cole's, which is marking its 101st anniversary December 6th-8th. To honor the birthday and the man, a competition to make a sublime sip was held. Mix master Julian Cox of Rivera took the crown.

Competition details: It took place at The Varnish on Sunday, December 6th. Raul Yrastorza of Red Car Bar oversaw the festivities. 1800 Tequila backed the prize.

In the drink: 1800 Tequila, of course. Kumquat wedges, basil, lime, agave nectar, soda water, and a foam made with coconut juice and Grand Marnier.

Exclamation point: The piece de resistance, in our mind: Champagne vinegar shrub. We see those words and suddenly we're batting gently at sparkles floating about our head.

Drink price: $10

Cold hard fact: The special cocktail is a special thing for a special few days in honor of Cole's Original French Dip. The party is lasting through Tuesday, December 8th, and word is they are trying like mad to round up the necessary ingredients to keep it flowing through final call on Tuesday night. Why not make for Cole's anyway? You could be sipping a Jimmy Barela, or it could be a martini. Either way, happy 101, dear French Dip purveying place that we adore!

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