Cocktail Competitions - RESULT
[12-06-06] The UKBG/Sputnik National Competition - The Final Heat was held in Brighton.
Following are the names of the four Brighton finalists who will go through to the London final:
Andrea Rinaldi representing Selfridges & Co with his recipe:
'Golden Sputnik'
- 50ml Sputnik Basil
- 20ml Blue Curaçao
- 130ml sparkling lemonade
- 5 basil leaves
- Garnish: 24 Carat Gold leaf
Gregor de Gruyther from Ronnie Scott's with his recipe:
'Baba Yaga'
- 50 ml Sputnik Rose
- ¼ fresh Pomelo
- 2 barspoons vanilla sugar
- 3 violet-infused blackberries
- champagne
Barry Riley from Above Audio with his recipe
'Star City Sling'
- 40ml Sputnik Rose
- 20ml Cointreau
- 20ml lemon juice
- 5 cardamom pods
- 2 barspoons quince & rose petal preserve
Davide Trupia from Manor House Hotel with his recipe (to follow)
From the Observatory
Who’s that guy spinning around?
It’s … the Master of Ceremonies, Scott Gemmell. It’s dark, it’s loud, it’s a Brighton cocktail bar – it must be the Sputnik Cocktail Competition!
The winner Andrea Rinaldi with his cocktail Golden Sputnik.
Monday was such a brilliantly hot and sunny day — seagulls were reeling, squealing; vapour trails patterned the light blue sky; the bouncer sat in a whicker chair, shades on against the light (he’s not used to this!). We were an hour out of London but a million miles away. The air was cooler out on the deck of AUDIO club but it was HOT inside as the atmosphere built.
Two glamorous Sputnik air hostesses with a tray of
cocktails from the competition.
Loads of friends turned up to see their fave contestant (there were 24 – a record for this region) turn up the heat on other contestants in this, the final round of the Sputnik competition. Nerves were fraying (a beanpole of a man in particular is frenzied) as the competitors waited their turn to show off their skills. Not only were these bartenders being judged on their spanking new cocktail recipes, they were also judged on several technicalities. Fumble your straw, goof your garnish, spill your spirits – whoa! You’re penalized point by point.
Gregor de Gruyther creating his cocktail, 'Baba Yaga’
On top of all that, there’s the constant noise of bass music, Scott Gemmell’s hype, and the Football – Italy were playing someone (thank heavens they won).
Cocktail competitions are high theatre and this was no exception. Personalities of the cocktail creators shone through in both the naming and the choice of garnish for each drink. Swirling lime spirals, creeping up a stick with a flower on top, its centre dominated by a rose made out of a carrot; a rose created from beetroot; fab apple fans splayed out elegantly on the rim; a basil leaf set in heart-shaped spun sugar; an orchid, and fresh cherries (they’re in season) and a few sparkles of gold leaf were among the garnishes atop and drooping down the sides of the various drinks.
Colourful drinks were popular, with cocktails ranging from a dark blue-green to shades of pink, and bright lime green. And ice. There was lots and lots of ice cubes and crushed ice.Most of all, though, creativity was alive and well — thanks to Sputnik Vodka. Now, we wait for the National Final in London at Salvatore at FIFTY.
Barry Riley from Brighton's chic Blanch House hotel is
one of the four going to the final in London. Here he is
with Andrea Rinaldi and their booty from Sputnik.