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February Swizzle Master winner revealed
The winner of the first round of The Wenneker Swizzle Masters 2014 – the world’s only virtual cocktail competition – has been revealed as Chinese bartender, Sid Chen.
Chinese bartender Sid Chen stole the show claiming first place in the February heat of The Wenneker Swizzle Masters 2014
Tasked with creating an original cocktail based on the theme of savoury gin, Chen impressed the judges with a drink he called, Green Hat.
A blend of Gin Mare, Wenneker Sour Apple, Wenneker Ginger, freshly squeezed lime, Gomme syrup, egg white, cucumber and celery, the panel were not only in admiration of Chen’s simplistic approach to presentation and the “well balanced, fresh” flavours of his drink, but also by the story behind its name.
Chen, head bartender of Long Bar at The Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund, explained:“In China this is a common expression. When a woman cheats on her husband it’s said that she gave him a ‘green hat’, which is appropriate for the slightly spicy/bitter finish of this cocktail.”
On the judging panel were Daisy Jones, associate publisher of The Spirits Business, Richard Woodard, freelance wines and spirits writer, Jenny Rae, Barchick writer and Leon Dalloway, managing director of Shake, Rattle and Stir.
In second place was Adriana Soley with her drink “Bosque,” meaning forest in Spanish, while third place was awarded to Ivica Mišić.
Chen now qualifies for the semi-finals in October when the winning drinks from throughout the year will battle it out for one of five places in the grand final in December.
The overall winner will be crowned The Swizzle Master 2014 and win £1,000.
If you fancy a chance at winning the grand prize, the next heat is now open for entries. The theme is “Fruity Scotch” and our judges will be looking for a drink that is well balanced, innovative and well presented.
The next round of The Swizzle Masters 2014 is Fruity Scotch with Glenfiddich 15 Year Old.
The judges will be looking for drinks that complement and accentuate the natural fruity flavours in the Speyside whisky. Bartenders have until Thursday 13 February to enter online at www.swizzlemasters.com.
Click onto the next page to discover the recipes for Green Hat, Bosque and Kiss of Death.
The winners of The Swizzle Masters 2014 “Savoury Gin” heat
45ml Gin Mare, 15ml Wenneker Sour Apple, 5ml Wenneker Ginger, 25ml freshly squeezed lime, 15ml gomme syrup, 15ml egg white, 1cm slice of cucumber, 1cm celery stalk
Method: Muddle the cucumber and celery before adding all other ingredients. Dry shake first then shake with ice for longer to obtain the froth. Double strain into a chilled coupette and garnish with a thin slice of cucumber.
2nd – Bosque by Adriana Soley
50ml Gin Mare, 10ml green Chartreuse, 7.5ml Wenneker Peach, 25ml pine tree cordial, 5ml lemon juice, 2 raspberries, 1 blackberry
Method: Muddle two big raspberries and one blackberry. Add all other ingredients, shake and double strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with fresh pine.
3rd – Kiss of Death by Ivica Mišić
20ml Gin Mare, 20ml Campari, 20ml Wenneker Gold, 10ml Martini Bianco, 10ml Unicum Zwack
Method: Stir ingredients in a mixing glass and strain into a cold Martini glass. Garnish with lime peel spiral on the edge of the glass and an olive on a stick.