Recently, Edinburgh hosted the Scottish heat for a rather marvellous Gin Mare Mediterranean Inspiration competition.
Held at the beautiful Sheraton Hotel, this was never going to be your average competition. With a back bar heavily stocked with all sorts of Gin goodies, it looked like the perfect venue to demonstrate some of Scotland’s finest talents.
With a place on a plane to Ibiza at stake, it was clear everyone brought their A-game, and Scotland most certainly know how to combine skill with flair, and fun with style, leaving the judges itching in their seats.
The panel this time around consisted of Sarah Moorhead, UK Brand Ambassador for Gin Mare and all round good gal; Martin Duffy, bar manager of 56 North (and a friend to everyone) and finally, myself, showing face for BarLifeUK, and what an honour it was.
The aim of the game was to create a twist on a Dirty Martini, and boy were there some serious twists. Competitors also had to create a completely original serve, inspired by the gins Mediterranean roots. There were some extremely interesting ingredients, some ingredients that we hadn’t even thought to use.
In the end though, a competition is a competition. The results were close. So damn close in fact that, when it came down to picking an overall first place winner, the two battling it out for the coveted title fought it out with a deadlock Mystery Box round.
Once the judges had sat down and tried both the quick-as-you-like, think-on-your-feet drinks, it was clear that one beverage was a neck above the other.
….and so, with no further adieu, I present to you, the winner of the Edinburgh heat of the Gin Mare competition 2012!!
A massive well done, to Toni Herbert, of The VooDoo Rooms, Edinburgh. Her drink was delicious, with innovation and forethought helping her with a fascinating chat and a smooth deliverance.
The Drinks
Toni Herbert – Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh
Dirty Martini Twist – Sea Martini
- 2 capers/ 1 barspoon of brine
- 50ml Gin Mare
- 12.5ml Noilly Prat
- Atomiser of crushed tomato and rosemary
Gently muddle capers with brine, add gin Mare and Noilly Prat, stir. Finish with 2 sprays of mist over top of drink.
Original Serve – Mother Mare
- 50ml Gin Mare
- 25ml Unwooded Chardonnay
- 25ml Elderflower Vinegar
- 1 dash lemon bitters
- Orange twist garnish
Stir all ingredients and finish with orange zest/twist.
A special mention to Josef Wyczynski from Mojo bar, for coming a close second, and for travelling up from Leeds to show face.
Josef Wyczynski – Mojo Bar, Leeds
Dirty Martini Twist – Smoke On The Mediterranean
- 50ml Gin Mare
- 10ml Vya Dry Vermouth
- 1 sprig thyme
- 1 barspoon 12yr Bruichladdich that has been used in place of olive brine
Muddled, stirred and strained. Garnish with a whiskyed olive.
Original Serve – Red Pepper Snapper
- 50ml Gin Mare
- 50ml Tomato and roasted red pepper water spiced with saffron and chilli
- Dash Fee Brothers Celery Bitters
- Stirred down until appropriate temperature, and strained. Served with a chorizo wrapped prawn garnish.
Thank you to everyone who came down that day, it was such an exciting way to see just how much enthusiasm, expertise and flair Scotland had to offer.
Best of luck to Toni, who is off to smash it in Ibiza against the other UK finalists, and then perhaps the Global finalists, fingers crossed.
Details of the final in Ibiza will be coming your way very soon on BarLifeUK.