Monin Cup competition crowns UK winner

A bartender from Liverpool has been crowned the winner of Monin Cup’s UK final and will represent the country in the cocktail competition’s grand finale in Paris.

Joe Wild, bartender at Jenny’s in Liverpool, has been named winner of the Monin Cup UK final

Joe Wild, bartender at Jenny’s in Liverpool, impressed the judges with his cocktail ‘All for One & One For All’, a mix of Monin’s new Lemongrass syrup, Monin Caribbean syrup, Monin Rose syrup and Monin Spicy Mango syrup, vodka, lemon juice, Prosecco and egg white.

Wild competed against eight other bartenders on Tuesday at the Monin Studio, opened as part of London Cocktail Week in Hoxton Square.

Joe Macbeth from Lacehouse in Nottingham took second place and third place went to Jake Mellish from Boilermaker in Nottingham.

Each finalist presented their take on the theme “If the UK were a cocktail” to a panel of judges including UK Monin Cup 2012 winner William Humphery, The Cocktail Lovers’ Gary Sharpen and Monin Brand Manager, Darril Ling.

Competitors were then quizzed on their Monin product knowledge and took part in a taste test, requiring them to blind taste 10 Monin different syrups and correctly guess each flavour.

“The competition produced some fantastic drinks, all of which showed flair, innovation and an exceptionally high level of skill,” said James Coston, Monin UK brand manager.

“It’s been really encouraging to see just how much young bartending talent we have here in the UK, and we’re delighted with the judges’ decision. I can’t wait to see Joe take on the world at the International Monin Cup Final in December.”

In addition to his position in the competition’s international final, Wild also wins an all-expenses-paid trip to Monin’s headquarters in Bourges, France.