A few weeks back saw myself invited down to judge once again a cocktail competition with a difference. Hosted within Bar So in Bournemouth, De Kuyper were supporting the UKBG and their Bournemouth Bartenders Grand Prix 2015 final, which saw 10 bartenders from across the south coast of England battle it out, yet having no idea what their recipe would be.
Essentially, each bartender had 15 minutes before the competition started to walk around the Nectar Tradeshow where numerous stands were located with spirit brands and mixers. After choosing their desired ingredients, and making sure they utilized one of the De Kuyper expressions, including Lemongrass and Lapsang Souchong, they were given the stage to present their idea to the judging panel (myself, Peter Holland from the Floating Rum Shack, James Fowler Diageo UK World Class Champion 2014 and Eve Vasileiadou representing UKBG and the Churchill Bar @ the Hyatt Regency Hotel).
With some interesting ideas presented, the winning recipe saw Evan Williams Extra Old, Amaro, De Kuyper Triple Sec, Salize Amaretto, Peat Monster Whisky and Angostura Bitters combined for a ‘River of Fire’. The creator? Gemma Terry from Smoking Aces in Bournemouth, winning £250 in cash, the De Kuyper bar kit donated by Paul Curry from William Grant & Sons and the title of the Bournemouth Bartenders Grand Prix Champion!
Fancy giving her cocktail a go?
‘River of Fire’
40 ml Evan Williams Extra Old
20 ml Amaro
15 ml De Kuyper Triple Sec
15 ml Salize Amaretto
5 ml Peat Monster Whisky
Dash of Angostura Bitters
Also competing in the final were;
Niall Percival competing for Remy Martin 1738
Tommo Quy competing for Jinzu Gin
Cameron Moncaster competing for Conker Dorset Dry Gin
Andy Hardwick competing for Evan Williams extra aged
Dave Hall competing for Flor de Cana 4yo
Luke Sheppard competing for 3 Barrels Brandy
Joe Prout competing for Tarquin Gin
Johnny Brissenden competing for Casamigo Tequila Blanco
Sarah Owens competing for Cinzano 1757
© David Marsland and Drinks Enthusiast 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog/sites author and owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to David Marsland and Drinks Enthusiast with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
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