Photos: Randy Layman, bartender at ACE, wins Patrón's Muddled XO Cafe Shakedown

Nine local bartenders -- Justin Lloyd (Star Bar); Joe Hines (Williams & Graham); Adam Hodak (Bonanno Concepts); Pat Ruberto (Gaetano's); Brandon Meyer (Crave Dessert Bar); Melissa Durant (Old Major); Anika Zappe (Punch Bowl - Social Food & Drink); Les Baker (Tom's Urban 24) and Randy Layman from Ace, who's pictured...

By Lori Midson

April 16, 2013

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Nine local bartenders -- Justin Lloyd (Star Bar); Joe Hines (Williams & Graham); Adam Hodak (Bonanno Concepts); Pat Ruberto (Gaetano's); Brandon Meyer (Crave Dessert Bar); Melissa Durant (Old Major); Anika Zappe (Punch Bowl - Social Food & Drink); Les Baker (Tom's Urban 24) and Randy Layman from Ace, who's pictured above -- braved the snow last night to compete in Patrón's Muddled XO Cafe Shakedown, a three-part battle that required the cocktail masters to come up with original stunners using XO Cafe, Patrón's coffee liqueur.

Layman, who won first place with his "Lefty Frizzel," a cocktail concocted with XO Cafe, lemon bitters and Glenlivet Nadurra Scotch whiskey and served in an absinthe-rinsed glass, will celebrate his victory with a trip to New Orleans, the site of Tales of the Cocktail, a week long homage to spirits. The Patrón showdown, which was judged by Chris Cina (exec chef of Breckenridge-Wynkoop Holding Co), Jessica Farmwald (copy chief at 5280 magazine) and yours truly, took place in the mixology lab on the Metro campus. Flip the page for a few highlights from the battle, and visit our full slide show for more photos.

For more photos, visit our full slide show.

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