Martini Reinvented Swizzle Masters results

The winner of the Wenneker Swizzle Masters Martini Reinvented round is Meat Liquor bartender Robb Collins.

Robb Collins won the Martini Reinvented Swizzle Masters round with his drink, Gin is King

This month, entrants were given the choice of using either Tovaritch! Vodka or Caorunn Gin within their recipes and Collins impressed judges with his creation titled Gin is King, an apt name for a cocktail that is often referred to as King of cocktails.

Made from Caorunn Gin, Wenneker passion fruit, Monin passion fruit syrup, apple juice, freshly squeezed lemon juice, egg white and Pernod absinthe, the judges described Collins’ drink as “nice and fresh with a passion fruit kick, but without being too sweet”.

Judging this month’s competition held in London’s picturesque Sky Lounge bar, were associate publisher of The Spirits Business Daisy Jones; founder of Love Food Love Drink Pritesh Mody; Barchick’s Jennie Rae; and Amathus Drinks’ Jon Anders Fjeldjrud.

Making the task of recreating the shortlisted 10 recipes on the day look like a walk in the park was Sky Lounge’s general manager, Terrence Lundy.

Second place was awarded to bartender Michael Stringer with V for Victory, a recipe he said was inspired by famous Martini fan, Sir Winston Churchill, while third place went to Joshua Powell for his drink Of Land and Sea.

Collins’ Gin is King now goes through to the semi-final in October, when the top five will be chosen for November for the title of Swizzle Master 2014 and the top prize of £1,000.

The entry deadline for the next Swizzle Masters round has been extended until Monday 16 June. Bartenders are asked to submit recipes on the theme Rum Summer Punch, using Botran 15 Year Old rum as the base spirit and including at least a dash of Wenneker Liqueurs.

Judges will be looking for refreshing recipes perfect for summer sipping, while accentuating the rum’s natural flavours.

Entries should be submitted online at www.swizzlemasters.com.

The winners of the Wenneker Swizzle Masters Martini Reinvented heat: 

1st: Gin is King by Robb Collins

45ml Caorunn gin, 10ml Wenneker passion fruit, 10ml Monin passion fruit syrup, 20ml apple juice, 20ml freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1 egg white, 3 dashes Pernod absinthe

Method: Add all ingredients except absinthe into a shaker, add cubed ice and shake hard for eight seconds. Rinse a chilled coupette with the absinthe then double strain drink into glass.

2nd: V for Victory by Michael Stringer

60ml Caorunn Gni, 20ml Sacred English spiced vermouth, 5ml Wenneker orange, 4 drops War room Historical Bitters, 1 blood orange zest

Method: Add all ingredients into a tall mixing glass with lots of ice and stir with a bar spoon until chilled. Using a julep strainer, double strain the drink into a frozen glass and garnish with the essential oils of a blood orange zest and discard.

3rd: Of Land and Sea by Joshua Powell

37.5ml Caorunn Gin, 12.5ml Cocchi vermouth di Torrini, 5ml Wenneker orange, 1 cardamom pod, 3 juniper berries, 1 sprig of rosemary and salt gin spray (50ml Caorunn gin and 1 teaspoon of coarse sea salt dissolved in an atomiser)

Method: Shake all ingredients well for 10 seconds. Spritz oils from a lemon twist over a chilled cocktail glass and drop in. Fine strain Martini on top. Garnish with one spritz of salt gin spray.