Ten bartenders from throughout the UK compete for journeys to Oaxaca and Barcelona
I skilled some well being points in 2022, which meant that Simon Webster judged nearly the entire competitors heats BarLifeUK was concerned with that yr, making the 2023 Love Drinks / El Recuerdo / Zignum mezcal competitors the primary I’ve labored from regional heats by way of to nationwide ultimate for the reason that finish of the pandemic, and greater than anything, it has jogged my memory what a vibrant and artistic place the UK’s cocktail bar trade is.
The Love Drinks heats happened in Leeds, London, Bristol, and Edinburgh with bartenders additionally travelling to these cities from additional afield, which means this competitors was capable of present a snapshot of bartender talent and creativity from everywhere in the UK. I don’t bear in mind ever judging a comp during which so most of the bartenders have been competing for the primary time, which maybe speaks to a brand new era of expertise having joined the trade for the reason that pandemic, but when something this appeared to extend the usual of entries – each warmth was stuffed with excited and enthusiastic bartenders who had put huge time and power into their drinks and shows.
Essentially the most satisfying factor about judging heats after which attending the ultimate was witnessing the enhancements every competitor had utilized to their presentation. A few of this was in all probability all the way down to suggestions supplied by the judges on the heats, in addition to shaking off a few of the nerves which might be inherent when presenting one thing for the primary time. However credit score should additionally go to Sam Burke and the crew at Love Drinks who made positive the competitors was as stress-free, welcoming, and satisfying as doable, which undoubtedly helped deliver the perfect out of the opponents by placing them comfy.
A brand new judging panel was assembled for the ultimate, which happened on the wonderful Albert’s Schloss in Birmingham, offering a recent set of eyes and palates to asses the opponents’ drinks. Kirsty Bosley (foods and drinks reporter, Birmingham Mail), Luke Neal (Thirsty Consultancy), and Luis van der Velde (Europe Industrial Supervisor, Zignum) settled onto the judging stools, with the ultimate taking the identical format because the heats – 5 minutes prep time, 10 minutes presentation time, with El Recuerdo opponents going first, adopted by a pizza break, after which the Zignum opponents.
Having gained their respective heats, I already knew every competitor had an awesome drink and a fascinating presentation, so success on the ultimate actually got here all the way down to nailing it on the day, and impressing a brand new set of judges. Experiencing the ultimate by way of my digital camera viewfinder somewhat than as a decide, I didn’t get to style the entire drinks, however so far as the shows have been involved, everybody both matched or exceeded their earlier performances, and it was gratifying to see a number of of the opponents put into follow suggestions I had given them on the heats.
When the performances have been over, the opponents needed to endure the inevitably tense ready interval because the judges tallied their scores and discovered who had positioned first for El Recuerdo and Zignum, thus successful journeys to Oaxaca, and who would bag the runner-up prizes of journeys to Barcelona. Though I wasn’t concerned on this course of, I wholeheartedly agree with the panel’s choice, based mostly on the drinks I tasted on the heats, and the performances I witnessed on the ultimate.
Earlier than revealing the winners, I wish to prolong large due to everybody who submitted an entry. It takes quite a lot of time, power, and dedication to create a drink, write a presentation, after which journey to carry out at a comp, and your efforts are significantly appreciated. Thanks additionally go to the crew with Albert’s Schloss, who handled us like royalty – I’ve a sense each buyer who visits the venue leaves feeling the identical method.
The Love Drinks El Recuerdo / Zignum 2023 Winners
El Recuerdo Winner – Journey to Oaxaca
Miley Kendrick – Tiki Hideaway, Leeds
What’s Up Guac?
50ml El Recuerdo
25ml Lime Juice
25 Cilantro Syrup
2 Drops avocado oil
2 sprint chilli salsa
1 egg white
Served with smoked tortilla chips
Zignum Winner – Journey to Oaxaca
James Plant – Albert’s Schloss, Manchester
Montezuma’s Mole
30ml Zignum Mezcal
25ml vanilla vodka Absolut
30ml Tempus fugit Cacao
3 Sprint Angustora cacao bitters
Bar spoon agave
7.5ml Chills Pimento dram
5ml sous vide lime juice (recipe under)
Stir down, double pressure into Nic & Nora Glass with Salted chocolate rim
(Sous Vide Lime Juice Recipe; add the zest of half a lime, juice of a full lime, 25ml water and a bar spoon of sugar into bag in sizzling water (50-70 levels) for half an hour after which double pressure to create sous vide lime juice)
El Recuerdo Runner Up – Journey to Barcelona
Giorgia Di Stefano, Demon & Sensible
Harmonia
35 ml El Recuerdo Abocado con gusano
35 ml Tamarind-Epazote Tea punch (Home made)
25 ml Prickly Pear liqueur
Served on the rocks with a piece of ice. Garnished with a mixture of spices Chilli & Paprika, Epazote, Sea salt
Zignum Runner Up – Journey to Barcelona
Selina Otremba, Milk Bar, Studying
Of Fruit and Clay
1.25oz Zignum Reposado
1oz Home made Prickly Pear and Cactus Tea*
0.5oz Fig Leaf Liqueur
0.75oz Contemporary Lime Juice
1 Barspoon/5ml Paranubes Oaxacan Cane Juice Rum
2 dashes Angosturra Bitters
Glassware: Conventional Oaxacan Consuming Bowl
Technique: Stir and pressure
Garnish: Flamed Orange Blossom Spritz
