When the final of a competition takes place in Ibiza it seems fitting that one of the heats takes place in the baking sunshine.
So it came to be at the London heat of the Gin Mare Mediterranean Inspiration competition as the judges and competitors found themselves on the roof top bar at the Trafalgar Hotel. Once suntan lotion had been applied and impromptu headwear had been fashioned we were ready to go.
The competitors had a big job on their hands to match the quality from the first heat in Manchester and impress the judging panel, consisting of BarLifeUK, Stuart Ekins from CASK Liquid Marketing, Samantha Fish from Mojo, Shannon McCoy from BarChick and Jorge Balbontin from Gin Mare.
Each competitor had to produce a twist on the Dirty Martini and an original Mediterranean inspired cocktail.
With the top two heading over to Ibiza in September for the final everyone certainly went all out to take out the crown.
The range of ideas and ingredients, especially in the original round, was only matched by the imaginative glassware and drink presentation.
On this day there could only be two winners and the points difference between 1st and 5th was very tight.
This time though the victors heading over to Ibiza were Lee Potter Cavanagh from Hix and Dee Ann Quinones from 69 Colebrook Row continuing the success of the fairer sex in this particular competition.
Congratulations to them both and the next heat is in Bristol, to enter that heat or the upcoming Edinburgh one simply click here.
The Drinks
Lee Potter Cavanagh – Hix Group
- The Seashore Martini
Original Drink – Gastronome
- 50ml Gin Mare
- 1 pippette Bittermen’s Burlesque Bitters
- 5ml Merlet Triple Sec
- 10ml Modena Balsamic Vinegar
- 6 smacked mint leaves
- 3 torn basil leaves
- 1 piece of watermelon muddled
Add watermelon and foliage to shaker, muddle gently. Add all other ingredients and shake with ice. Fine strain into a pewter goblet and garnish with mint & basil leaves.
Dirty Martini Twist – The Seashore Martini
- Muddle a green olive that has been soaked in campari for three days
- Add 50ml Gin Mare
- 15ml Dolin Chambery Dry Vermouth
- 1 dash of Bitter Truth Orange Bitters
Stir over ice and fine strain into martini glass rimmed with Campari Sea Salt (pour Campari over sea salt and dehydrate in an oven). Garnish with 3 Campari oaked olives and serve with a Boccorones (small Spanish sandwich) consisting of bread, anchovy, serrano ham, olive oil, sea salt.
Dee Ann Quinones – 69 Colebrook Row
- La Manana Despues
Original Drink – La Manana Despues
- 50mls Gin Mare
- 30mls watermelon juice
- 20mls rosemary and pink peppercorn gimme
- 25mls ruby grapefruit juice
- 10mls lime juice
- Mediterranean fever tree tonic water
In a shaker muddle fresh watermelon and combine all ingredients in (except tonic water). Shake vigorously and double strain into a tall Collins glass rimmed with rosemary infused salt. Top with Mediterranean fever tree tonic water. Garnish with a wedge of rosemary salted watermelon.
Dirty Martini Twist – San Miguel Martini
- 50 mls Gin Mare
- 15 mls dry martini infused with spanish cherry pepper
- 1 drop of bitter truth grapefruit bitters
In a mixing tin, combine all ingredients over ice. Stir until well chilled. double strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a ricotta stuffed cherry pepper.