Gin Mare Mediterranean Inspirations 2015 in pictures

International press, bartenders and the Gin Mare team headed to the beautiful Villa Mare earlier this week for the global final of the fifth annual Gin Mare Mediterranean Inspirations cocktail competition, where six mixologists battled across three rounds for the winning title. The finalists presented three different cocktails which were required to not only excel in terms of taste, aroma and appearance, but also exemplified the Mediterranean lifestyle and the gin’s role in gastronomy.

Finalists steadied their nerves with a shot of Gin Mare before the competition. Winning their respective national heats throughout the year, the final six consisted of bartenders from Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, the UK and Brazil.

The first finalist of the day to demonstrate his skills to the judges was Brazil’s Heitor Marin, who presented a Gin and Tonic with saffron, a signature mix containing fig syrup and grapefruit juice, and a gastronomic cocktail with pineapple Juice and Spanish White Wine to pair bouillabaisse created by Michelin star chef Ramón Freixa. In the final food pairing round of the competition, all competitors created a cocktail to match with a signature dish created by Freixa.

Next up was Nuno Figueredo from Portugal, who created a Gin and Tonic with pepper-infused Campari and rosemary, a signature serve with La Quintinye Rouge, fig and rosemary Jam, and rosemary cordial, as well as a gastronomic cocktail containing suze bitters, Jerry Thomas bitters, peach shrub and lemon juice to pair with Freixa’s pesto.

The UK’s Daniel Warren kept things simple with his Gin and Tonic, a mix of Mediterranean tonic reduction, olive oil and marinated Mango. His signature cocktail contained Manzanilla Sherry, cacao eau de vie, crystal bitters, and green apple tincture. He then created a cocktail containing Albariño, white truffle and thyme syrup, salt, crystal bitters and olive oil to pair with a gazpacho dish.

Thorsten Veth from Germany created a simple Gin and Tonic with violet liqueur before presenting his signature serve – made using lemon, pepper, vanilla syrup and vanilla salt. For the gastronomic round, Veth was tasked with creating a cocktail to pair with Frexia’s humous. However, a slip of the hand meant he could not use his intended Verjus ingredient, and instead used lemon juice to mix with vanilla syrup, thyme and sesame oil.

Spain’s Manel Vehí took to the stage with his Gin and Tonic infused with sea plankton before presenting his signature serve with carrot juice, coconut cream, lemon juice and Moroccan spice. His gastronomic cocktail consisted of pepper, rhubarb juice, lime juice, simple syrup and egg white to pair with tabbouleh.

Next up was Italy’s Mirko Turconi, who impressed with his Earl Grey-infused Gin and Tonic and signature serve consisting of lemon, lavander honey, cardamon bitters, sangria syrup. To pair with tzatziki, Turconi created a cocktail using lemon, rocket salad, cucumber peels, sage & capers Syrup, tomato juice and Polugar Nº2 Garlic and Pepper – all of which were mixed in a salad spinner.

Guests and finalists headed to the Amante Beach Club in the evening, where the winner of Gin Mare Mediterranean Inspirations winner was revealed. Manel Vehí, of Boia Nit in Cadaqués, impressed with his unique, easy-to-replicate serves and walked away with the €4,500 top prize and an ambassadorial role with Gin Mare.

Coming in second was Italy’s Mirko Turconi while the UK’s Daniel Warren was placed third. SB took the executive not to publish any pictures of the after party at Ibiza’s famous Pacha club…