The red drink served in a stylish “Nick and Nora” cocktail glass is an exotic experience with rum, island spices and absinthe coming together in a delicious, fun and potent concoction (absinthe is a high-proof spirit).

Since putting the award-winning absinthe cocktail on the menu in March, the drink has been a best seller. It fits the rum niche at 1618 and the “nothing too sweet” mantra that is so important to Max that he has the words tattooed on his arm.

The dedicated “flavor nerd” staff has a tasting on Sundays to try out new cocktails on the revolving menu that changes every few months (with exception of classic-style drinks).

And the competition’s grand prize is grand indeed. Max will be flown to the Lucid Distillery (Liqueurs Combier) in scenic Saumur, France, overlooking the Loire River, where he will work with distillers at the oldest active distillery in the Loire Valley.

The winning cocktail is not the end of the story but a highlight as Max’s cred continues to rise in the cocktail world. A perfect example is when the Cheerwine soda brand reached out to him to help showcase its annual Cheerwine Holiday punch.

Naturally, his version contains rum.