Drawing Room Mixologist Charles Joly Wins "On the Rocks"

By Anthony Todd in Food on Nov 22, 2010 4:00PM

One of our favorite local mixologists has won $100,000 on the reality show "On The Rocks." The show, which pits bartenders against each other in a series of themed challenges, broadcast its final episode on Saturday night. Drawing Room mixer Charles Joly took home top honors, mixing up a cocktail called the Absolut Tea Time. The show is sponsored by Absolut, so the contestants had to make up a cocktail using the new Absolut Wild Tea (perhaps not the most inspiring ingredient, from our point of view) and Joly mixed it with with sloe gin, grapefruit and lemon juices, agave syrup and grated ginger. Knowing Joly, if he mixed it, it was pretty amazing. According to the Stew, he announced that he was taking his check "back to Chicago - Chi-town." Joly is a proud south-sider, and has worked in the industry in Chicago for 13 years. Good for you, Charles.

We posted a recipe of Joly's about a year ago, and it remains one of our favorite cocktails. If you want to see Joly mixing, head to the Drawing Room - their main cocktail attraction is table-side mixology, and you can chat with Joly while he mixes up your drink.

The Nooner
Thanks to Charles Joly

2 oz Maker’s Mark
1/2 oz Navan Vanilla Cognac
1/8 oz Maple Syrup
A pinch of fresh ginger
Orange Bitters
A Twist of Orange Peel

Combine the first four ingredients in a martini shaker with ice. Shake. Pour into a martini glass and top with 3 drops of orange bitters. Twist the orange peel, and then, using a lighter, flame it over the top of the drink.