Mixing Mermaids & Martinis

Saturday night was the 3rd Annual Mermaid Society SMTX Mer-Tini Shakedown. Sixteen bars from across the city competed for bragging rights and a chance to compete at the final showdown held on the rooftop at the Mermaid Society Art Ball this Friday. Bartender Magen Diosdado measures out simple syrup as she builds The Porch's drink entry, The Texas Wild Rice, a mixture of Dripping Springs Vodka, shaved ginger, rosemary, freshly squeezed lemon juice and simple syrup with just a splash of Blue Curacao for color. Daily Record photos by Denise Cathey

Zelicks' Restoration Martini made with Dripping Springs gin, fresh squeezed lemon juice and house made lavender simple syrup.

The Salty Siren at Taproom featured Dripping Springs vodka, a splash of champagne, a watermelon limeade base finished with a very berry popsicle garnish and a tahjin rim.

Bartender Jacob Carranza carefully pours his Mermaid Sunset Mer-Tini through a strainer before garnishing the drink to serve to the judges at AquaBrew. Carranza wanted to create a refreshing drink that you might have while being on the river and combined cucumber and watermelon with citrus for his vodka based Mer-Tini.