Bellagio mixologist Darren West’s award-winning Passion for Fashion cocktail shows his passion for charitable causes as well. The winner of the Don Q Rum Mix-Off last Monday at Frankie’s Tiki Room, West helped raise money for Lance Voth, a fellow Bellagio barman left in critical condition after a hit-and-run the week before. Along with the other entries and donations, West’s cocktail was auctioned off before an audience of concerned industry members and Voth’s mother. The competition raised $5,900.

Second place went to Palazzo’s Emilio Tiburcio, and Rhumbar’s Nikolay Sabrutev placed third. West and his cocktail now move on to the national round, held at the Manhattan Cocktail Classic in May; the winner will continue on to Puerto Rico to battle on Don Q’s home turf. As the competition is still afoot, exact measures cannot be given, but with a little trial and error, you too should be able to taste sweet success.

Ingredients:

Don Q Gold Rum

Grand Marnier

Calamansi (Calamondin/Lemoncito) juice

Kumquats

Fresh mint leaves

Freshly-squeezed lime juice

Method:

Muddle mint and kumquats in a mixing glass. Add remaining ingredients, shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a candied orange wheel.