Austin Cocktail Throwdown Winner: La Condesa

When the final drop of vodka was poured, the last martini glass set down, and the last votes tallied, the 6th Annual Austin Cocktail Throwdown announced a winner Thursday evening. Ladies and gentlemen: Nate Wales of La Condesa has taken the prize.

La Condesa's "Enlightened Austin Martini" was a fresh crowd-pleaser with a dramatic presentation. Made with St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, juiced organic watermelons, agave nectar, a hint of lime and the contest's prerequisite alcohol - Tito's Vodka - the Enlightened Austin Martini satisfies the dual desires of our city's populace: first to drink, second to be healthy. Made with organic ingredients (including watermelons from La Condesa's farm outside Mexia, Tex.), the drink is shaken to create a layer of foam on top, and garnished with a wedge of watermelon.

The Austin Cocktail Throwdown played host to five cocktail finalists last night at the Gibson Guitar Showroom in Penn Field. Emcee Ross Outon, who debuts on the PBS reality show The Winemakers this Saturday at 12:30pm, announced the winner to a packed house. Wales' drink will enjoy celebrity status throughout the year as the "Official Drink of Austin," and Wales himself is now the proud owner of two coveted one-day passes for ACL.