Merle’s Stephanie Elliot: Mixing Up Cocktails and Winning Awards

Merle’s Stephanie Elliot: Mixing Up Cocktails and Winning Awards

Wilkesboro’s own Stephanie Elliot, mixologist extraordinaire of Merle’s, took home top honors at this year’s North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association Chef Showdown.

It all started with a casual mention of a competition and filling out the application. What Stephanie thought would just be something local turned out to be a statewide event. The first round was a two-day regional competition with 18 mixologists in Winston-Salem. She made it through that, along with five others, to compete at the Angus Barn in Raleigh. There she made 700 samples of her creations, half of her New South cocktail and the other half the First Blush mocktail. Stephanie rose to the top and received NCRLA Mixologist of the Year representing Call Family Distillers. We sat down to talk with her to learn about the competition, her inspiration, and why she loves calling Wilkesboro home.

What served as your inspiration for the New South cocktail?

At Merle’s, we work to honor the tradition of our area, the rich heritage and history right here in Wilkesboro. But we also pride ourselves on moving forward. We sometimes have to give up some of the ways the South has been labeled in the past in order to create a place where everyone feels welcome. That’s how I think of the New South, and it spoke to me and served as inspiration for this cocktail. I started with a base of Call Family’s 101 Proof Uncatchable Sour Mash Moonshine, which symbolizes the history and heritage. It also has Eda Rhyne’s Amaro Flora, which is made with foraged roots and barks from North Carolina. Then I added a fruited herb liquor where you get a different level of ingredients like star fruits, guava, peppercorn, mint and sage, where I bring in flavors that pay tribute to other cultures.

How did you become a mixologist?

It probably started as a kid. My father loved to cook, and we were always traveling and sometimes lived overseas, so he used a lot of different flavors and herbs. Then when I was bartending on the side in the NODA area of Charlotte and saw someone put rosemary in a drink. I was instantly intrigued. I started experimenting on my own at home, making simple syrups, growing my own herbs, and just really fell in love with the creativity of it.

Bartender vs. Mixologist – what’s the difference?

I definitely don’t get offended when I’m called a bartender! Mixology is the skill of creating and mixing premium cocktails, as opposed to just pouring beer from a tap.

Is there a Stephanie Elliott special on the menu at Merle’s?

In addition to our classic cocktails and signature cocktails, we have a seasonal menu that changes each quarter. That’s where I’ll get creative, and use things that I have in my garden, or some seasonal fruit. This past summer I had a watermelon mojito as a special.

What is your drink of choice?

I have so many favorites it’s hard to pick just one. But for now I would have to say the Merle’s Brulee. It’s a Mexcal based drink with sweet vermouth, chocolate cherry bitter, egg white and simple syrup. It has a silky vanilla undertone and is just clean and beautiful. I serve it with sugar on top and torch it so it looks like brulee.

How long have you lived in Wilkesboro and why do you call it home?

I’ve lived in Wilkesboro off and on about 20 years. My father worked in the oil industry so our family traveled a lot when I was a kid, moving to Florida, Alabama, Charlotte and he was overseas a lot. But through all the moves Wilkes County always had a special place in my heart, and the beauty of the area brought be back home. I love living where I do, where I can walk out on my porch and look out over the pasture to rolling hills. Just being able to be surrounded by such beautiful landscape brings me joy.

What do you love most about this area?

I live for being outdoors. I have my own garden full of flowers and herbs, but you can also find me hiking at Rocky Face and Carter Falls, or spending time on the lake at Kerr Scott.