Californian bartender triumphs in Black Cow Vodka cocktail comp

Erica Brown from Bar Stella in California’s Silverlake has won the first international Black Cow Vodka Gold Top Cup, a cocktail competition held at the brand’s Dorset distillery.

Erika Brown triumphs in the first international Black Cow cocktail comp

Brown, who competed with her serve The Beautiful Bovine, took the crown on 21 June during a three-day experience, which culminated in the cocktail contest.

She was joined by six other finalists who hailed from Singapore and Hong Kong, as well as the brand’s native UK: Darren Lim from Singapore’s Lucky Bar; Ana Souza from Hong Kong’s The Pontiac; Max Terrile from London’s Duck & Waffle; Chelsie Baily from Bristol’s Red Light; Thomas Gabb from Drakes of Brighton; and Jacob Burnham from Manchester’s The Ox Cheltenham.

They travelled to the Black Cow Distillery in West Dorset, where they experienced the renowned Jurassic Coast from a tall ship, before picking up their shakers for the competition.

Taking place in the new Bar + Kitchen concept at the distillery, the contest saw Brown win the Gold Top Cup, thrown by internationally renowned local potter Tum Hurn, and a £1,000 cash prize.

All finalists took home a Black Cow cocktail roll with a gold bar kit.

“We were really excited to be extending this year’s Gold Top Cup internationally,” said dairy farmer Jason Barber, who founded the Black Cow Vodka brand in 2012 with Paul ‘Archie’ Archard.

“Since I first created our crystal clear pure milk vodka five years ago, we have seen interest grow around the world and we now sell Black Cow Vodka globally.”

Black Cow Vodka is thought to be the world’s first to be made from whey, a waste product in dairy farming. The brand opened its distillery to the public in January 2017 and offers two visitor experiences for guests.