I started to create unique cocktails
with TABASCO® Sauces just
few years ago. I needed a hot ‘n
spicy ingredient to be largely available
in many markets and would have the same
consistency, bottle after bottle. I
truly enjoy the vibrant and mild
heat level of TABASCO® brand Green Jalapeño Pepper Sauce to mix with passion fruit puree
and vanilla-flavored vodka, as well
as in sherry-tomato water cocktails.
TABASCO® brand Chipotle Pepper Sauce has an
intriguing, bold character; it reminds me
of Scandinavian pipe tobacco along with
alder wood smoke and blends beautifully
with the cognac-orange flavors of Grand
Marnier and chocolate liqueurs. TABASCO® brand Garlic Pepper Sauce brings personality to the Bloody
Mary as well as savory herb-based creations.
TABASCO® brand Habanero Sauce
is the ultimate expression for setting your
soul on fire!
AMANTE PICANTE
- 2 oz Sauza Tres Generaciones Plata Tequila
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 1 oz agave nectar syrup
- 2 slices of cucumber
- 2 dashes of Original TABASCO® brand Pepper Sauce
Method: Muddle briskly the cucumber wheels and cilantro in a shaker tin, then add the rest of ingredients and 2 cups of ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. garnish: cucumber wheel.
PEACH & CHIPOTLE MARGARITA
- 1.5 oz Patrón Reposado Tequila
- .5 oz Grand Marnier Liqueur
- 3 drops TABASCO® brand Chipotle Pepper Sauce
- 2 teasp. peach chipotle jam
- Juice of 1 lime
Method: Shake all ingredients together with 2 cups of ice. Strain over ice into a rocks glass. garnish: lime wheel and dry chipotle.
Francesco Lafranconi
Director of Mixology and Spirits Educator, Southern Wine and Spirits of America
As founder and Director of Southern Wine and Spirits’ Academy of Spirits and Fine Service, Mr. Francesco Lafranconi presides over a unique educational program in the United States. Prior to joining Southern Wine and Spirits of America, Mr. Lafranconi worked at many of the world’s leading hotels and bars, including the Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland, The Palace Hotel in Gstaadt, Switzerland, the Intercontinental Hotel in Cologne, Germany, Harry’s Bar and Hotel Cipriani in Venice, Italy, including stages in Singapore and Australia. Mr. Lafranconi is also the Chairman and co -founder of the United States Bartenders Guild (U.S.B.G.)-Nevada Chapter- and an active member of the International Bartenders Association (I.B.A.), recognized in more than 50 countries worldwide.
Mr. Lafranconi won several prestigious international cocktail competitions including the most famous in the world: The Bacardi- Martini Grand Prix World Final in 1998 among 43 countries, the J.White Course in Singapore and 2 Italian national finals just to name a few. Becoming a part of Southern Wine and Spirits of Nevada, Mr. Lafranconi put together a 12-week Academy of Spirits and Fine Service educational program, including the resurgence of classic cocktails and the image of the professional bartender and his/her fine art and craftsmanship as a respected profession. According to Lafranconi, the aim of the Academy of Spirits and Fine Service program is to provide product and category knowledge to each individual class member, create brand awareness (assisted by visiting brand ambassadors and master distillers). He offers appropriate instruction so each individual is more confident behind the bar, he trains students in the fine points of drinks mixology and service and, last but not least, underline the quality of all the brands carried by Southern Wine and Spirits of America.
His cocktails are often featured in several trade publications and also appeared in the New YorkTimes. Mr. Lafranconi shares his professional knowledge and talented creativity promoting suppliers’ new brands and developing cocktails programs for world renowned celebrity chefs like D. Boulud from Daniel Restaurant in New York City, T. Keller’s Per Se in NYC and Bouchon at The Venetian, Las Vegas. He created the cocktail program for Chef Emeril Lagasse’s new Pan-Pacific concept in Orlando, Florida and also contributes to celebrity Chefs like W. Puck’s Spago Group, Bradley Ogden at Caesar (winner of the James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant in the U.S.) and Hubert Keller’s new restaurant Fleur de Lyls in Las Vegas. Among great Chefs, Mr. Lafranconi’s talent was shared with Hollywood celebrities such as Steven Spielberg, Robin Williams, Michael Caine to name a few including California’s Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and most recently he appeared twice on Martha Stewart’s Show as well. Mr. Lafranconi’s latest involvement was putting together 75 signature drinks for Wynn Las Vegas and he was responsible for training hundreds of members of staff involved in the food and beverage department of Las Vegas’ latest Resort & Casino! Currently, Mr. Lafranconi is involved in developing beverage programs for different national accounts with more than one hundred restaurants and bars throughout the country.
And don’t forget Mr. Lafranconi quote: “We’re not drinking... we’re learning!”
