Swizzle Masters selects Martini Twist champion
Tasked with reimagining a stoic British institution such as the Martini was a challenge for our plucky Swizzlers; thankfully Rodolfo Casalá’s Purple Martini executed the task with elegance.
The winning cocktail, Rodolfo Casalá’s Purple MartiniWe gave our entrants the choice of Caorunn gin or Tovaritch! vodka for their unique take on the cocktail – all that was needed was a simple twist and at least a dash of Wenneker liqueurs.
Our panel consisted of Tim Laferla, bar manager of the Red Bar at Bam Bou, Mike Sweetman, vice-president of the United Kingdom Bartenders’ Guild (UKBG), Armand Fasola, committee member of the UKBG, beverage specialist Sandro Lyhs, and associate publisher of The Spirits Business, Daisy Jones, with Red Bar’s head bartender Mimi Lorandova tending the bar.
Judges were slightly disappointed with some of the drinks submitted under the “Martini Twist” bracket which had somewhat strayed from the brief, but thankfully for every cocktail that missed the mark, there was another which shone through.
Laferla said: “The standard was 50/50 today. For the top five, quality was high with very few points separating them. It’s important to stick to the brief – we were looking for a twist on a classic Martini which is a dry, aperitif, spirituous type of drink.”
Second place was awarded to Kriss Kovy’s Mandatini while third place was given to Joshua Powell for his recipe, Orchard Martini.
Casalá’s recipe will now go through to the semi-final in October, when the winning drinks from throughout the year will be recreated once more and judged against each other.
Five drinks will then be chosen to go through to the grand final in November, and the bartender behind the winning recipe will be crowned Swizzle Master 2015 and win £1,000.
The next Wenneker Swizzle Masters round is Spicy Tequila, which will be judged live on Tuesday in Bordeaux at this year’s Vinexpo exhibition. Recipes must use Jose Cuervo Silver Tequila, and be inspired by Mexico, using tastes that complement the agave flavours with just a touch of spice.
Click through to the following page to see the winning recipes of the Swizzle Masters Martini Twist.
1ST: PURPLE MARTINI BY RODOLFO CASALÁ
Ingredients: 35ml Tovarich! vodka, 25ml Wenneker Sloe Gin, 10ml Monin Triple Sec syrup, 25ml hibiscus tea, spiral of orange peel to garnish.
Method: Make hibiscus tea – boil three cups mineral water, add one cup dried hibiscus flowers, stand for three minutes, strain, allow to cool. Shake all ingredients with four ice cubes for 10 seconds and double strain into a glass and garnish.
2ND: MANDATINI BY KRISS KOVY
Ingredients: 40ml Tovaritch! vodka, 15ml Wenneker Mandarin, 2 dashes Angostura Orange Bitters, mandarin slice to garnish.
Method: Add all ingredients to a mixing glass and stir well with ice. Strain into a glass and garnish.
3RD: ORCHARD MARTINI BY JOSHUA POWELL
Ingredients: 40ml Caorunn gin, 10ml Wenneker Sour Apple, 10ml Lillet Blanc, dash orange bitters, apple fan to garnish.
Method: Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass, stir for 10 seconds with good ice. Strain into a glass and garnish.
