Martin Miller’s Gin selects Mayfair champion

Bartender Peter Nguyen of The Dorchester’s China Tang battled some of Mayfair’s most talented bartenders to earn the title of Martin Miller’s Mayfair Cocktail Champion.

Peter Nguyen displaying his winning cocktail, Life on an ‘Ice’ Land

The competition took place at Smith & Whistle at The Park Lane Hotel in Mayfair, and called on bartenders around Mayfair to create an original cocktail using either Martin Miller’s Gin or Martin Miller’s Westbourne Gin.

The judging team was made up of David Lawlor, manager of Smith & Whistle; Aidan Bowie, Martin Miller’s UK brand ambassador and head mixologist; and Annie Hayes, editorial assistant at The Spirits Business.

Judges were unanimous in awarding Nguygen first place for his cocktail Life on an ‘Ice’ Land, which consisted of 45ml Martin Miller’s Gin, 20ml citrus water, 10ml calvados, and 10ml salted rosemary and pineapple syrup.

The recipe was inspired by the Icelandic water source used to distill Martin Miller’s variants, and this concept was also reflected in the ice block garnish.

Nguygen received a magnum bottle of Martin Miller’s Gin, £100 cash, £100 cocktail equipment for China Tang, dinner for two at 1 Lombard Street, entry into the Martin Miller’s UK Cocktail Champions Final, and a social media and website feature.

Second place was awarded to Simone de Luca for his creation, Silk Road Gimlet – a combination of 60ml Martin Miller’s Westbourne Gin, 15ml kombucha green tea, 15ml darjeeling tea cordial, and 2 drops of tonic bitters.

Smith & Whistle’s bartender, Ettore De Salvia, was given third place for Angela Says So, a cocktail of 40ml Martin Miller’s Gin, 15ml prucia plum liqueur, 15ml 8 year old calvados, 5ml Campari, and 3 drops of Peychard bitters.

In June, bartender Carey Hanlon of Merchant House fought off fierce competition to be crowned winner of the inaugural Martin Miller’s Gin City Championship cocktail competition.