The winter semi-finals of the World Class Cocktail Competition took place at The Blue Diamond Club in Melbourne on Sunday and oh, what a night it was! Nine semi-finalists competed in categories of Gentleman’s Cocktail, Hot Cocktail and Dessert Serve, wowing guests with the live theatre of artful cocktail making.
Joel Persson of The Alchemist in Melbourne finished his golden Magnum Opus with a decidedly feminine touch – a spritz of wattle toffee liqueur delicately dispensed from an antique perfume atomiser. Angus Burton, of Brisbane’s Canvas, dressed as a sailor boy and sent his cocktail on its merry way down a bamboo slide.
Jessica Arnott (The Victoria Room, Sydney) created the ultimate drink for when you can’t make your mind up whether you want a cup of tea or an alcoholic beverage. The perfect antidote to cold winter nights, her Quiet Time (Quezaltenango Tea Party) recreates the taste and feel of a cup of tea by infusing Ron Zacapa 23 rum and hot water with a handmade spiced fig chai. She served this concoction in a dainty floral teacup with macadamia and vanilla bean-infused milk and pistachio shortbread on the side.
Winners
Best Gentleman’s Cocktail: Joel Persson, The Alchemist Melbourne
Best Hot Cocktail: Angus Burton, Canvas Brisbane
Best Dessert Serve: Chris Hysted, Black Pearl Melbourne
The national final takes place June 11th-13th in Sydney. If you like fancy cocktails, delicious hors d’oeuvres and good looking bartenders as much as I do, this event comes highly recommended.
Tags: bar, cocktails, competition, melbourne, World class
