The winner for Northern Restaurant & Bar’s annual cocktail competition, sponsored by Tequila Casco Viejo, has been announced and wins a once in a lifetime VIP visit to Arandas in Mexico.
Competitors had been asked to submit one unique drink, containing a minimum of 35 ml of either Tequila Casco Viejo Blanco or Reposado, and adding influence of the famous Camarena Brothers, the producers of the brand, as well as the history and heritage of Mexico itself.
The four finalists of Tim Ward of Alvino’s in Newcastle, Alexander Taylor of 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff, Steve Lawson of MASH Steak in London and Ciaran Russell of The Tippling House, Aberdeen were invited to the final of the competition at Northern Restaurant & Bar in Manchester where each competitor was asked to re-create their drink to the waiting judges, including Chris Grimes of Bitten Magazine, Paul Murphy of The Whisky Business in Liverpool and Jack Rackham, Commercial Director of Emporia Brands, the tequila brands UK Distributor.
After impressing the judges and crowd with ‘Don Agustin’s Daisy’, Alexander Taylor of 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff just edged the incredibly close final by paying tribute to the late Don Augustin and Mexico’s traditional use of Marigold flowers, which are both floral and earthy, to grieve the passing of loved ones. Combining Casco Viejo Reposado, Suze Saveur D’Autrefois, Luxardo Amaretto, yellow pepper and lime with a garnish of flamed orange zest and scattered marigold petals, Alex has won himself a visit to Arandas, Mexico as the guest of Tequila Casco Viejo, which has previously beaten off the challenge from the World’s finest tequila brands by winning gold and being rated ‘outstanding’ by the International Wine and Spirit Competition.
Jack Rackham has said “the standard of the presentations and the quality of the drinks was absolutely first class. Separating the finalists was an incredibly tough job but in the end we unanimously agreed that Alex was the deserved winner and I look forward to welcoming him to Casa Camerena distillery”.
Northern Restaurant & Bar is the biggest hospitality show in the North. The show’s Spirit Room is the largest curated selection of spirit brands on show outside London. As well as the Casco Viejo cocktail competition, the Drinks Live theatre featured a line-up of tutored tastings and masterclasses from some of the best names in the business.
Alexander Taylor, 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff
Don Agustin’s Daisy
45ml Casco Viejo Reposado
10ml Suze Saveur D’Autrefois
10ml Luxardo Amaretto
5cm Yellow Pepper
25ml Lime
Shake all ingredients hard and fine strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with a flamed orange zest and scattered marigold petals.
DRINKS ENTHUSIAST 