Home News 2018 September London’s hottest cocktail announced at London Cocktail Week’s Best Cocktail Award 2018, presented by

London’s hottest cocktail announced at London Cocktail Week’s Best Cocktail Award 2018, presented by

United Kingdom 27 September 2018

The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism partnered with DrinkUp.London for the second year running, to crown the mixologist responsible for creating the most memorable tipple at London Cocktail Week.

Last night, cocktail lovers across the capital celebrated the London Cocktail Week’s Best Cocktail awards, tasting and toasting to the best cocktails the festival has to offer. The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism partnered with DrinkUp.London for the second year running, to crown the mixologist responsible for creating the most memorable tipple at London Cocktail Week.

Celebrating the best of this year’s bartender talent from across the capital, the award ceremony showcased the six finalist’s creative flair, with each one presenting their signature serve to a panel of judges.

Six finalists (chosen from 130) battled it out at the Hoxton Hotel, Shoreditch. Entrants were assessed on the taste of their signature serve, the presentation of their cocktail, their unique craft and innovation, and the speed of their delivery.

James Drummond from Resident Bar, Paradise Row [IMAGE ATTACHED] was named the winner with his Pisco Punch. This crowd-pleasing cocktail was a twist on a classic recipe using modern ingredients. The judges loved how the spiced pineapple sherbet, prosecco and Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto really made the Pisco sing.

James has won a place representing not only Resident Bar, but London and the UK at Cayman Cocktail Week, taking place in Grand Cayman from 19^th- 26^th October 2018.

He will also have a few days to relax and unwind after the event, enjoying time on Seven Mile Beach and exploring all the activities that Grand Cayman has to offer.

Siobhan Payne, director of London Cocktail Week said: “We are thrilled to award James with the coveted accolade of London Cocktail Week’s Best Cocktail 2018. The awards showcase the incredible mixologist talent we have in the capital and their calibre of creativity, which has made London the cocktail capital of the world!

The number of £6 cocktails submitted for the Cocktail Tours, which are served in London’s best bars throughout the duration of the festival, increases every year and the energy and thirst from the entrants to win is fantastic to see.”

Richard Trasler, Marketing Executive for the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism Europe said: “We were delighted to partner with DrinkUp.London again on this exciting competition celebrating the hottest mixology talent. Being the culinary capital of the Caribbean, it’s no surprise that the Cayman Islands has over 200 restaurants and bars across the three islands, with the majority being in Grand Cayman.

Working with DrinkUp.London on this mixology competition is a great way to highlight Grand Cayman on the global food and drink scene and we’ve enjoyed working with the team once again to crown London Cocktail Week’s Best Cocktail. It’s also a great precursor to Cayman Cocktail Week, which takes place from 19^th-26^th October. We wish James the very best of luck on his trip.”

British Airways flies to Grand Cayman four times per week from Heathrow T5 with a short touchdown in Nassau, Bahamas.

The six finalists and their cocktails were:

WINNER: James Drummond, Resident of Paradise Row
Cocktail: Pisco Punch
Pisco Waqar, Spiced Pineapple Oleo Saccharum, Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto, and Prosecco.
The team are seeing more and more pisco being used in bars across London! This is a classic recipe with modern ingredients - a real crowd-pleaser!

Adrien Russotto, Henson’s Bar
Cocktail: Fair Point
Amontillado sherry, FAIR Bulletproof Coffee, black cardamom syrups and apple aperitif.
A coffee-based cocktail - flavourful and complex with a lower-abv. It has a crisp bite of apple to it, and the Bulletproof Coffee adds a playful element.

Luke Ridge, Rumpus Room
Cocktail: The Rumour
Tangerine-infused Olmeca Altos tequila, pineapple pulp shrub, off-cut oleo ends, peels of fruit and a soda top.
Tapping into the trend for sustainability, the majority of the ingredients used in this cocktail are by-products of the bar’s usual service.

Cara Watson, Hawksmoor Seven Dials
Cocktail: The Bees Made Me Do It
Tomato-infused Cocchi Americano, Clynelish 14 Year Old Scotch whisky, smoked honey, cider vinegar and IPA.
A highly complex and mature, lower-abv serve, the tartness of the vinegar and the bitterness of the IPA balances the sweetness of the Cocchi Americano and honey perfectly.

Cristian Toba, The Luggage Room
Cocktail: Bloomsbury
Green Spot Single Pot Still Irish whiskey, Lillet Blanc, Italicus Rosolio Di Bergamotto, orange bitters, Angostura Bitters, absinthe and lemon oils
A stirred drink that focuses on the lighter notes of whiskey, giving it the chance to really shine.

Felix Cohen, Every Cloud
Cocktail: The Milky Punch is On Me
Milky bar infused Buffalo Trace bourbon, Cherry B, Rainbow Dust, clarified Banana Yazoo, topped off with a Drumstick sweet garnish.
A playful representation of what Every Cloud bar achieves, this drink is definitely one for Instagram.

The Judging Panel:

Siobhan Payne – Festival Director of London Cocktail Week, DrinkUp.London
Laura Richards – Drinks Editor, TimeOut London
Steve Georgiou – The Wigmore (last year’s winner)
Vicki Saker – Cayman Islands Department of Tourism

For more information about the Cayman Islands see www.visitcaymanislands.co.uk

For more information about London Cocktail Week and DrinkUp.London, please visit: https://drinkup.london/cocktailweek/
DrinkUp.London Instagram: @drinkupldn
#londoncocktailweek #LCW #LCW18

London’s hottest cocktail announced at London Cocktail Week’s Best Cocktail Award 2018, presented by

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