NYC Bartender Breaks World Record: 1,003 Cocktails in One Hour

by Jenn Garbee, Posted Mar 23rd 2011 @ 1:00PM

While many of us awaited the fate of the Hendrix wives on last Sunday night's final episode of "Big Love," Sheldon Wiley was on his own high-octane multiples mission. The New York City-based mixologist whipped up 1,003 cocktails to break the Guinness World Record for the most cocktails made in an hour. The previous record of 937 cocktails was held by German mixologist Matthias Knorr. "I wanted this record to be about more than just speed," Wiley said via a press release. "I wanted to exemplify the integrity and craft of cocktails."

In what we can only politely presume was a blatant Rambo reference, Wiley wore a bandage cloth wrapped around his head as he double-fisted bottles of flavored vodka and mixers in – where else? -- the Empire State Building's Empire Room. He used four ingredients in each cocktail (three is the minimum Guinness World Records requirement), including dozens of fresh fruit juices and several Monin Gourmet flavored syrups, as well as eight flavors of 360 Vodkas. That schizophrenic selection of ingredients may seem like unnecessary sensory overload, at least until you realize which two corporations were the event's sponsors. Hint: It wasn't an orange juice company.

As a Guinness adjudicator stood by, Wiley poured and stirred until he had amassed a rainbow of finished cocktails, each unique in its flavor profile as required. Onlookers were promised the opportunity to taste. But judging by the number of 360 Vodka flavors (mandarin orange, Sorrento lemon, grape) that would clash with Monin syrups (hazelnut, caramel, vanilla) no matter how slowly that cocktail was made, following the Mormon practice of abstinence on Sunday night was probably a wise idea.

See more wacky Guiness world records at AOL News.

Hungry for news about fast food, slow food, food politics, food personalities, and food controversies? Then sign up for our weekly newsletter. Plus, be sure to check us out on Facebook and Twitter.

Filed Under: Food News, Drinks
Tags: featured, guiness book of world records, world record cocktails

Chew on This

Royal Wedding Cake Details Revealed! - YumSugar

Make Your Own Pop Tarts - CHOW
Denny's Introduces a Maple Bacon Sundae - Eater
Whole Foods Opening Bars in Stores - USA Today
Rules Of Bar Etiquette -- For The Bartender - HuffPost Food

Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

3-23-2011 @9:54PM Jerry said... His mother must be so proud of him .
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

3-23-2011 @11:35PM jaysea said... So, what can ur mother say about u that's in the Guinness book of records? yea, thought so!!! :(

Vote upVote downReport

3-24-2011 @12:29AM PIF Seeker said... Congratulations to Sheldon on his new world record!
If you want to learn to be a fast and accurate bartender too,...and need assistance to help get a bartending job....check out American Bartenders School!
Visit barschool.com for more details.
Special deal for the month of March too...my friend just signed up and they gave him an awesome deal!
1,003 cocktails in one hour is quite a feat!
Should it still count, even though they are insinuating that many of the drinks he put together may have lack of flavor compatibility?
I'd like to see a more genuine challenge with drinks being made to order.
Reply