BEST MARTINI
Dirty Schoolgirl JP Kelly’s 300 E. Adams St., 753-7933

• 1 oz pomegranate liqueur
• 1 oz Absolut Raspberry
• 1 ½ oz lemonade
• ½ oz simple syrup
Garnish with a lollipop.

BEST MARTINI (runners-up)

Raspberry Lemon Drop Pao 2824 Plaza Dr., 546-4660

• ½ cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
• Mix with simple syrup to taste
• 2 oz Vox Raspberry Vodka
• Shake with ice, pour into sugar rimmed glass
Pour in a little raspberry liqueur.

Nicotini Brewhaus 617 E. Washington St., 525-6399

• Requires an infusion jar (airtight jar with a valve at the bottom)
• 2 oz nicotine
• 1 bottle vodka (citrus vodka works great)
Place nicotine in a cheesecloth. Pour vodka in infusion jar and steep the nicotine for two days. Pour into a frozen glass, and serve garnished with an olive.

Rosstini Ross Isaac 1710 S. MacArthur Blvd., 744-7677

• Rub glass rim with lemon wedge – set aside for garnish
• Rim with kosher salt
• 2 oz Hendrick’s Gin
• 4 oz cucumber juice
Shake with ice, and garnish withlemon wedge and a slice of cucumber

Mextini Maya 131 E. Jefferson St., 541-6292

• Rim glass with salt
• 1 shot top shelf tequila
• ½ shot Grand Marnier
• ½ lime’s worth of fresh-squeezed lime juice
Shake well with ice, garnish with lime wedge.

Brewhaus

BEST BEER SELECTION
Brewhaus 617 E. Washington St., 525-6399 There are plenty of places in Springfield to grab a beer, but if you want something special, Brewhaus is the bar to visit. With about 300 beers available, it’s easy to see why Brewhaus is a perennial winner for “best beer selection.” When he’s not serving the tasty brews, owner Mike Parkes spends his time researching new ones to make sure the bar always has a unique and evolving drink list. Asked why the bar carries so many beers, Parkes replies simply, “Beer is good. Life without beer would be a terrible life.” Whether it’s a thick stout or a light lager you’re after, Brewhaus has it in spades. Throw in a basket of the free popcorn, and you’ve got a great place to explore the world of beer while you enjoy some good company.
Runner-up: Barrelhead

BEST BARTENDER
Mike Parkes, Brewhaus 617 E Washington St., 525-6399 He does it again. When asked how many times he thinks he’s won, Mike ponders quietly for a moment, then says, “Ten? Maybe more?” Make that 11. Thriving on one of the few recession-proof businesses (“recessions are good for bars”), Parkes can thank his loyal regulars, some of whom have more difficulty being loyal than others. “It’s a destination bar. We have people who come in from Iowa and Minnesota just to drink here.” Being a beerlover’s Mecca isn’t enough for Parkes and Co. Their mixed drinks and martinis are equally beloved (see their Nicotini in our Best Martini section). “We’re a bartender’s bar. We can make anything. I make new drinks every day.” Why does he still do it after all these years? The answer is simple. “Bartending’s fun.” Slinging beer and mixing drinks is great, but not quite the best part. “That would be the people.” Pause. “Usually the people.”
Runner-up: Lindsay See – Floyd’s Thirst Parlor

BEST WAITPERSON
Kate Catalano, Brewhaus 617 E. Washington St., 525-6399 What do you get when you cross a bubbly personality with an eye for detail? You get Kate Catalano at Brewhaus, the best waitperson in Springfield, according to IT readers. She’s quick to refill your glass, loves recommending new beers and will even take it upon herself to bring you a basket of the bar’s free popcorn. “I feel like people love being greeted with warmth and a smile,” Catalano says cheerfully. “I like to be attentive to my customers.” Catalano has worked at Brewhaus almost four-and-a-half years, and she feels the clientele is great. “They respect all of us,” she says. “I love chatting with the customers. We’re all like family here.”
Runner-up: Jocelyn Praia – Palermo’s Sicilian Cucina