Monarch Mixologist Nate Selsor Wins Cocktail Contest

A Saucy congrats to Nate Selsor, winner of the DonQ Rum Mix Off cocktail competition held last week at Sanctuaria in The Grove. Selsor, who tends bar at Monarch Restaurant in Maplewood, took first place for his recipe, Tektite. Selsor competed against nine other area mixologists at the event organized by the St. Louis chapter of the U.S. Bartenders’ Guild. Coming in second was TJ Vytlacil, who starts this week behind the bar at Franco in Soulard and also makes frequent appearances at Taste by Niche. Sanctuaria’s own Matt Seiter took third place for his Puerto Rican Seduction. Each contestant was required to create an original cocktail using at least one DonQ Rum product. Judging was based on drink preparation as well as the appearance, aroma, creativity and taste of the finished cocktail. Selsor will head to New York in May to compete in the semifinals at the Manhattan Cocktail Classic with hopes of earning a spot on the USBG U.S. Drink Team to compete in the finals against Team Puerto Rico.

– Ligaya Figueras