At the annual Park City Cocktail Contest, held last Friday night at The Sidecar in Park City, I was privileged to be among the judges and got to taste a number of very creative cocktails, including one with bacon(!). ---

When all of the cocktail shakers were emptied, the winning cocktail -- crowned as Park City's "Signature Cocktail" for fall and winter 2012-13 -- was the Mountain Derby, which was prepared by mixologist Dave Wallace, representing the Montage Deer Valley.

In addition to bragging rights, Cocktail King Dave Wallace took home a $100 cash prize, and the People's Health Clinic benefited from this charity event, organized by the Park City Area Restaurant Association.

If you'd like to make a Mountain Derby to drink at home, here is the recipe:

Spirits:

1 oz. Woodford Reserve bourbon

Other ingredients:

1 oz. fresh grapefruit juice

1 oz. lavender/chamomile honey

1/4 oz. fresh lemon juice

Method: Shake, strain and serve up. Garnish with a lemon wheel

Glassware: Martini glass with half of the rim sugared

Lavender/chamomile honey:

2 cups organic clover honey

2 cups water

2 1/2 cups "loose" chamomile tea

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

Photo courtesy of Park City Area Restaurant Association