Stag Savior – 2016 Star of Bar Award

(Last UPDATED 9/29/19) In a recent post about dining at Paragary’s Midtown, I mentioned that the “Stag Savior” had won the Star of the Bar Award.  I therefore decided to check out the winning cocktail.

See related post Paragary’s – Sacramento Restaurants (part of an occasional series)

A friend and I recently met in the late afternoon at Paragary’s Midtown for Happy Hour and to “catch up” on things.  It was a beautiful day in the mid-80’s so we sat outside on the patio.

We settled in a corner and enjoyed the ambiance as we chatted, shared a pizza and enjoyed our drinks.  It was still early enough that we had the patio almost to ourselves.

SacramentoRevealed.com  – All Things Sacramento (from a personal perspective)

Star of the Bar Award

After having learned that a Sacramento bartender had won the 2016 Star of the Bar Award I had decided beforehand that I was going to try the “Stag Savior” which is made of No. 209 Gin, Jägermeister, Apricot Liquor, Grenadine, Lime, Aromatic Bitters, and Absinthe.   The fact that the Stag Savior won the Star of the Bar Award is a BIG deal as I discovered as I researched the contest.

Six regional finalists from around the country competed for the title Star of the Bar and a $5,000 grand prize in Chicago in May. The finalists from leading culinary cities are flown in to compete in a live event.  The challenge – to mix up the most innovative cocktail creation using Jägermeister.

Finalists were from Chicago, San Diego, Boston, Charleston, New York and San Francisco (Sacramento is included in the San Francisco “region”).  Sacramento’s very own Baron Stelling who works at Paragary’s Midtown and The Shady Lady Saloon competed and won the Star of the Bar title.

I enjoyed my Stag Savior ($12) – which I found refreshing.  I sipped the drink slowly and enjoyed each sip because I knew that I was only going to have that one drink (my usual choice of libation is wine).

To describe the taste of Stag Savior is a bit difficult.  I found the taste refreshing, pleasant, and I want to say “herby” because I don’t think that “herbal” is the right word.

Have you tried the Stag Savior?

(UPDATED 9/29/19)  The Stag Savior is now known as the $5,000 Cocktail at Paragary’s.  Baron Stelling, its creator, is now behind the bar at Fizz Champagne & Bubbles Bar and the Shady Lady Saloon – and still creating new cocktails!

(UPDATED 6/27/17)  Paragary’s has recently announced that it is dropping weekday lunch service, but in turn is adding brunch on the weekend.

Comments on the Stag Savior?

If you try or have tried the Stag Savior (now known as the $5,000 Cocktail) – please chime in with how you would describe the drink.  I am sure you will do a better job that I did!

Paragary’s Snapshot:

• 1401 20th Street, Sacramento, CA  95816
• (916) 457-5737
• Happy Hour:  Monday (4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.); Tuesday – Friday (4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.); Saturday – Sunday (3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
• Dinner: Sunday – Thursday (4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.); Friday – Saturday (4:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. )
• Brunch Served: Saturday – Sunday (9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.)
• Parking:  Paid parking in private lot across the street from restaurant; Public garage adjacent to restaurant; metered street parking

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