Saeed "Hawk" House, the man behind Cocktails By Hawk, concocted this scotch whiskey recipe to compete for a spot at this year's World Class Competition. And he may have himself a real winner with his creation; the triple infused Johnnie B. Goode cocktail.


You can find Hawk at MA Lounge, the secretive speakeasy located somewhere in the back of Estrella restaurant, in the heart of West Hollywood. As it typically goes with Hawk since his Nighthawk days, his recipes take time to come together, as the R&D process is meticulous. For this one, each of Hawk's ingredients went through quite a bit of transformation before becoming the finish parts of his drink.


For his base spirit, Hawk decided to take a typically under-appreciated mixing base and add a pressurized jolt to it. "Charging it with an iSi nitro is the equivalent of letting the spirit steep for two days or even weeks"... that’s my take on the Sazerac cocktail."


The Johnnie B. Goode Cocktail

  • Coffee Flash-Infused Johnnie Walker Black Blended Scotch Whiskey
  • Mesquite infused simple syrup
  • Cinnamon-infused Peychaud's bitters
  • Absinthe spray
  • Lemon Peel Garnish

Tasting Notes: The scotch's often dominant oaky notes seem to blend away with the pressurized coffee while cinnamon and mesquite help round out the drink. The glass is inviting for a long sip while picking up the absinthe and lemon oil nose.

Cocktails By Hawk

About World Class

World Class is held annually by the USBG, sponsored by Diageo. It is part of an internationally recognized competition that elevates the bartending craft, recognizing the best in the industry.