Sababa Holiday Cocktail Contest - Unleash Your Creativity!

Sababa Restaurant & Lounge is hosting a Holiday Cocktail Contest for aspiring mixologists and bar chefs – whichever moniker you prefer. The contest runs from October 22 until 11:59pm on Friday, November 15. The winner who muddles and mixes the most creative and toast-worthy beverage will receive a $250 Sababa gift card AND your drink will be featured on Sababa’s cocktail menu throughout the holiday season. Take a look at the winning cocktails from The Bungalow’s Summer Muddled Cocktail Contest to see what you could be up against.

Professional and novice bartenders are invited to submit an original, non-published holiday cocktail recipe using seasonal ingredients. A trio of finalists will be selected and will compete before a panel of judges at Sababa’s on Thursday, November 21 at 6pm. The winning cocktail will be judged on its creativity, innovative ingredients and overall flavor.

“Our cocktail menu is our calling card,” said Sagi Rothman, owner of Sababa Restaurant and Lounge. “We have a very progressive menu and are always looking for new and inventive drinks to introduce to our guests. I think this contest will result in some spectacular drinks, and I’m looking forward to see which one makes the final cut.”

In addition to having their drink featured on the menu, the winner will also receive a $250 Sababa gift card. Second and third place contestants will enjoy a $100 and $50 Sababa gift card as well.

To enter Sababa’s Holiday Cocktail Contest, email an original recipe to [email protected]com with Sababa Cocktail Contest in the subject line. Be sure to include your name, age, address and phone number when submitting your recipe. All U.S. residents age 21 and older are invited to compete.

Nightly entertainment, fabulous cocktails and an eclectic menu that includes American favorites and Middle Eastern specialties, Sababa’s lounge is a popular place for locals and visitors to Long Beach and the popular beach-side community of Belmont Shores.

Shakshuka is a Middle Eastern dish of eggs poached in a sauce of tomatoes, chili peppers, and onions, spiced with cumin. My friend Ally had the amazing opportunity to experience the food and culture of Israel on a Taste of Israel trip and declared her first taste of Shakshouka as 14 seconds of pure ecstasy. I’ve never been to Israel, but Sababa’s Shakshuka ($12) will do nicely as my 14 seconds of ecstasy – she must have gotten only one bite because my moment lasted a little longer than that 🙂

If you crave more than the usual club scene, I highly recommend visiting Sababa on the second and fourth Friday of each month when they feature a truly unique and visually stimulating aerialist act that will leave you soaring. You can catch a glimpse of her in the short video clip below.

Danielle Stone, stunning aerialist

Sababa Restaurant & Lounge is located in The Marketplace at the corner of Second Street and Pacific Coast Highway ( near Trader Joe’s and Bev Mo) and will accept cocktail recipes starting October 22 through November 15 at 11:59pm Pacific Standard Time. For more information, call 562.252.3572 or visit online at www.gosababa.com.