Atascadero News Magazine’s Mocktails & Cocktail Tasting at Cielo Italian Restaurant & Rooftop Bar
By the Atascadero News Magazine Editorial Board
Photos by Hayley Mattson
As the holiday season draws near, it’s the perfect time to immerse yourself in the world of mixology and uncover exciting new flavors that will elevate your festive celebrations. In anticipation of this year’s annual holiday taste contest, our team embarked on a journey to the exquisite Cielo Italian Restaurant & Rooftop Bar, a new local favorite downtown Atascadero.
Our journey into the world of holiday mixology became even more delightful thanks to the gracious hospitality of North County Restaurant Group’s General Manager, Michael Romero, and mixologist extraordinaire, Juan Carlos. Together, our team embarked on a journey through a tantalizing array of signature cocktails and exclusive holiday creations, crafting the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable afternoon brimming with inventive concoctions and exquisite flavors. Cielo’s accomplished mixologist wowed us in four distinct categories: Presentation, Aroma, Taste, and Originality, along with an extra-special Seasonal Pick. Each category featured a standout cocktail that left an indelible impression on our taste buds.
During this holiday season, be sure to make a visit to Cielo Italian Restaurant & Rooftop Bar
and savor the favorites selected by our team! Our winning choices are highlighted below. Here’s to a season brimming with extraordinary cocktails and unforgettable moments! Cheers!
Category Winners
Presentation — Cleme Brulee Old Fashioned
Aroma — Espresso Martini
Taste — Spicy Avorita
Originality — Leonardo PiStachio
Honorable Mention / Seasonal Pick
Roses in the Fall
Cocktail
Tequila blanco, yellow chartreuse, jagger coldbrew, maple syrup, whole egg, raspberry powder
Blu Blu Lemon
Mocktail
Non-alcoholic tequila, lemon juice, blueberry simple syrup, soda water
Staff Pick Mocktail
Island Vibes
Mocktail
Non-alcoholic rum, lemon juice, orange juice, pineapple juice, strawberry simple, orgeat
Ring my Bell
Cocktail
Beefeater gin, lemon juice, honey bell pepper syrup, fresh basil
La Riviera
Cocktail
Barr hill gin, lemon juice, aperol, pineapple juice, orgeat
Taste Winner
Spicy Avorita
Cocktail
Tequila Blanco, line juice, agave, avocado, fresh cilantro, firewater bitters
What’s the Tea
Cocktail
Kumquat infused vodka, matcha, oat milk, house kumquat chantilly
Presentation Winner
Cleme Brulee Old Fashioned
Cocktail
Whistlepig 6 year, oak and maple syrup, angostura bitters, orange bitters
Staff Pick Cocktail
Originality Cocktail
Leonardo PiStachio
Cocktail
Vodka, lemon juice, pistachio syrup, chocolate bitters, egg white
Aroma Winner
Espresso Martini
Cocktail
Vodka, cold brew, borghetti, bourbon cream
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