Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada is teaming with Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada to create this year's signature cocktail to be served during the 2015 Dessert Before Dinner Gala. Entitled, "Skills and Confidence," Executive Director Of Mixology And Spirits Education Francesco Lafranconi created the cocktail to be paired with this year's collection of showcased desserts. The event will take place this Saturday, Sept. 26 at Caesars Palace starting at 6 p.m. Nearly 1,000 of the city's top influencers and community leaders are expected to attend, making it the largest Dessert Before Dinner event to date.

Now established as one of the city's most exciting fundraising events, Dessert Before Dinner brings area chefs together to create the ultimate confection incorporating one chosen signature Girl Scout cookie. Guests indulge in desserts before the first course is even served, hence the name. In addition to the chefs’ competition, an array of the city's most high-profile women will be honored for being incredible role models and paving the way for success for future businesswomen in Southern Nevada. They will also receive honorary badges, selected specifically for them based on their own professional achievements.

The gala proceeds will continue to lay the foundation for all girls in Southern Nevada to make their dreams come true. In addition to funding scholarships, proceeds enable the organization to reach girls in all demographics and areas of the community as well as expanding upon current programming such as Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), social values and financial literacy. Most importantly, support for Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada helps encourage girls to embrace imaginative and innovative approaches to everything they do—with the goal of creating a better world for all.

Lafronconi describes the drink as "a very tasty combination of ingredients that’s enjoyable at any time" and adds, "the drink promotes vanilla and lemon citrus notes with a delicious zesty finish."

Recipe for Skills and Confidence:
Ingredients
1.5 oz. Biercee lemon liqueur
3/4 oz. Bottega Limoncino
1/2 oz. Licor 43
2 oz. Club Soda

12 oz. rocks glass

Method: Stir with ice then strain and pour over ice in glass, top with 2 oz. club soda and a squeeze (pinch) of lemon. Stir before serving. Garnish with lemon peel zest. Serve in a 12 oz glass, over ice.

Francesco Lafronconi is a national ambassador and founding member of the U.S. Bartenders Guild Accreditation Program, as well as a member of the Museum of the American Cocktail. He holds certificates and appointments in the field, and has received worldwide recognition for his skills. Lafronconi founded The Academy of Spirits and Fine Service and was recently awarded Best in Show at the Iron Mixologist competition.

To purchase tickets, go to www.GirlScoutsNV.org.

ABOUT GIRL SCOUTS OF SOUTHERN NEVADA
Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls of all ages and serves more than 8,000 youth and adult members throughout Southern Nevada. The organization seeks to help girls and young women build character and develop the life skills for success in the real world and is a part of the Girl Scouts of the USA, the nationwide organization that has helped girls discover the fun, friendship and power of girls together since 1912. For more information on Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada, visit www.GirlScoutsNV.org, follow on Twitter and like on Facebook.