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The Cheeky-tini Contest Charity Event

Choosing the Cheeky-tini

by Alison Weiss – September 18, 2009
Proceeds Benefitted the Vital Bridges Charity

We at Cheeky have a maxim: Cheeky chicks don’t judge. To envy is petty; to respect, divine. But every guiding principle has its exceptions. When we’re called upon to vote for the best martini in a high-stakes competition, we’ll judge. And judge and judge. And so it went on Wednesday night at Martini Park, as the Cheeky family teamed up with Vital Bridges for the inaugural “Cheeky-tini” Contest Charity Event.

Vital Bridges delivers food and offers wellness services to Chicagoans living with HIV and AIDS. The group’s friendly Junior Networking Committee greeted guests at the door, accepting donations and explaining the cause (shout-out: save October 14 for their Vital Nights event at Rockit).

For two hours, Cheeky readers, writers and friends reaped the benefits of an Absolut throw down. Five Cheeky-appointed “muses” were paired with five Martini Park mixologists to create contenders for the official “Cheeky-tini.” Between nibbles on passed chicken sliders, fried cheese and meatballs, guests sampled the hopeful beverages. Yes, sometimes we had to throw back – I mean sample – the drinks more than once, just to be sure. This is for the Cheeky-tini title, people!

Let’s meet the contestants:

Drink: Pineapple Upside Down
Muse: Natalie Martinez, NBC 5 Chicago
Ingredients: Vanilla Absolut Vodka, Malibu Rum, vanilla syrup, pineapple juice, splash of Frangelico, grenadine topper
Appearance: Like a tequila sunrise

Drink: Cheeky Pome’Juleptini
Muse: Amanda Puck, EVP PR, XA
Absolut Vodka Flavor: Original, baby.
Mixers: Pama Liqueur, pomegranate juice, grapefruit juice, fresh mint, simple syrup, fresh mint leaf
Appearance: Pink and leafy

Drink: Cheeky Raspberry Meringue
Muse: Jessica Zweig, CheekyChicago.com
Ingredients: Absolut Vodka, Chambord, lemoncello, lemon juice, simple syrup, vanilla cognac, whipped cream topper, graham cracker rim
Appearance: Creamy, garnished with a raspberry and lemon peel twist

Drink: Cheeky Dragon Berry
Muse: Erica Bethe Levin, CheekyChicago.com
Ingredients: Vanilla Absolut Vodka, Dragon Berry Rum, strawberry puree, pineapple juice, simple syrup
Appearance: Red and clear, with berry garnish

Drink: Detox Peach-Tini
Muse: Kelli Zink, CelebTV.com and CheekyChicago.com
Ingredients: Absolut Peach Vodka, peach liqueur, fresh lemon squeeze, acacia honey, splash of green tea liqueur, lavendar vanilla sugar rim, fresh peach
Appearance: Peach, of course, with fresh peach garnish

Alas, there’s only room for one Cheeky-tini in this town. When the voting was done, mixologist Danny and muse Amanda emerged as the winners for the Cheeky Pome’Juleptini. But there’s no need to cry over spilled vodka. Recipes live forever, and we’re already hatching plans to return to Martini Park for all five Cheeky cocktails. Hey, you can’t just choose one. That would be judging.

About the Author: Alison Weiss

Ever inquisitive, Ali conducts the "Nosy" interviews that bring you closer to the cheeky side of Chicago's creative types. She also contributes to the ‘Drama’ section and cannot resist writing up the occasional band or bar. She loves nothing more than telling stories, whether in writing, on stage or in video. A New York City native, Ali came to Chicago in 2003 to study a little improv and decided to stay. She has performed in theaters around town and is a published playwright with work produced all over the country. Most recently, Ali has delved into video editing and she currently works on content for the newly re-launched Playboy.com. She keeps her work and updates here.

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She is fun, fabulous and fierce. She is chic, intelligent and in-the-know. But most of all, the Cheeky chick is the kind of woman who embraces, admires, respects, smiles at and opens her heart to other fabulous chicks. Now THAT'S Cheeky, darling!