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Dave Wallace, an employee from the Montage Deer Valley, produced the winning drink during last week's "Signature Cocktail" contest and fundraiser in Park City.

Wallace's Mountain Derby cocktail (see recipe below) is a blend of premium Woodford Reserve Kentucky Bourbon whiskey, fresh grapefruit and lemon juice and homemade lavender/chamomile honey. Judges gave it 444 points, out of a possible 500, for its taste, originality and presentation.

In all, 13 bartenders and mixologists competed in the event, sponsored every spring and fall by the Park City Restaurant Association.

Wallace received $100 cash, a trophy and bragging rights as the Mountain Derby will appear on Park City restaurant and bar menus throughout the fall and winter.

The Black Manhattan from Cena Ristorante was the runner up.

In addition to the winning recipes, there were several memorable cocktails with unique ingredients such as the "Everything goes with Bacon," cocktail from Shabu restaurant that included a bacon garnish; and the Cinnamon Pear Tarte Ta-tini offered up by defending champion Bonnie Ulmer from Deer Valley Resort.

Ticket sales for the event raised more than $1,500 for the People's Health Clinic, a full-service health center for uninsured individuals and families in Utah's Summit and Wasatch counties.

Mountain Derby cocktail

Lavender and camomile honey:

2 cups organic clover honey

2 cups water

21/2 cups 'loose' chamomile tea

1 cup 'loose' lavender Earl Grey (or English Breakfast) tea

Cocktail:

11/2 ounces premium Kentucky bourbon whiskey (Woodford Reserve suggested)

1 ounce lavender/chamomile honey (from above)

11/2 ounces fresh grapefruit juice

1/4 ounce fresh lemon juice

Lemon wheel, for garnish

Pour honey and water into a saucepan. Heat over medium until honey is fully dissolved and incorporated. Add chamomile tea and steep for 8 minutes. Add lavender tea and steep for 10 minutes or to taste. Strain mixture and refrigerate until ready to use.

For each cocktail, rim half of a martini glass with sugar.

Place whiskey, one ounce of prepared lavender/chamomile honey, grapefruit juice and lemon juice in a shaker with Ice. Roll shaker gently to combine. Strain into martini glass. Garnish with a lemon wheel.

Servings • 1

Source • Dave Wallace, Montage Deer Valley. Winner of the 2012 Park City Winter Cocktail Contest.