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Hacha’s cocktail competition returns for fifth year
London agaveria Hacha has opened submissions for its fifth annual Tequila and mezcal cocktail competition, with the final taking place on 4 November.
Britain’s Best Tequila Cocktail and Britain’s Best Mezcal Cocktail awards are part of Hacha’s mission to provide the ‘best agave experience possible’ for its guests.
In a move away from the traditional brand-led cocktail competition format, entrants can choose from a lineup of brands.
This year’s 11 Tequila brands are: 1800 Tequila, Cazcabel, El Mayor, El Rayo, Espolón, Mijenta, Olmeca Altos, Patrón, Tiempo, Vivir and Volcan.
The contestants can use one of six mezcals: Del Maguey Vida, Ilegal, Montelobos, Ojo de Dios, Pensador or The Lost Explorer.
Focusing on the wider categories of Tequila and mezcal, the competition aims to bring the agave community together, promote bartender creativity and ultimately find the best agave-based drinks the UK bar industry has to offer.
Entries for both competitions are open for UK bartenders until Friday 18 October. This year’s theme is agave twists on classic cocktails, aligning with Hacha’s new menu, Back to the Future.
After several tastings and shortlisting rounds, the finalists will be invited to participate in a live competition at Hacha Dalston on Monday 4 November. The finalists will each present their cocktail to a panel of judges made up of some of the UK’s top drinks writers and industry faces, alongside Hacha co-founders Deano Moncrieffe and Emma Murphy.
The judges will then select the top two cocktails for each spirit, which will be served at an invite-only event in the evening for drink experts, friends and family, and Hacha’s most loyal customers.
During the event, guests will enjoy samples of the final four cocktails and vote for their favourite, with the winners being announced at the end of the evening.
The winning cocktails will be served at Hacha for a year and promoted on the bar’s social media and PR channels.
The winning bartenders will receive a trip to visit one of the World’s 50 Best Bars, an agave-inspired trophy, a first-edition copy of The Tequila Ambassador by the late Tomas Estes, and the opportunity to host a takeover at Hacha with their winning brand.
Murphy said: “When we had the idea for this competition five years ago, we never imagined just how much of a key date it would become in the agave community calendar and the incredible calibre of bartenders it would attract.
“Our alumni include finalists who’ve gone on to be winners of global brand competitions – it’s a really approachable format and ethos, so it’s not so daunting to get involved. We are really so proud of what we have created and are looking forward to tasting the fantastic drinks incoming this year.”
Last year’s competition attracted more than 60 bartenders.
Last year, Hacha Dalston launched a new cocktail menu, Cymatics, inspired by music from some of the industry’s most iconic names.
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