This year’s Hendrick’s Hot Gin Punch set out to challenge bartenders to push their creative boundaries even further than previous competitions. Bartenders were challenged with bringing to life the ritual of creating and sharing their punches. Not an easy task, but one that opened up a whole spectrum of creative possibilities.
Submitted in two stages entrants were tasked with first sharing their punches name, ingredients and method along with a photo on the Hendrick’s Hot Gin Punch competition site. In addition a video was then submitted which explored the ritual involved in creating their punch in unusual and creative ways.
The standard the entrants set this year was raised to new levels with some truly inspiring and unusual punches. Beyond appearances the sampling of the punches was a sublime experience with unexpected and intriguing flavours bringing the punches to life. This presented quite a test for the judging panel who debated much longer than expected to arrive at a final 11 contestants.
This final 11 will now embark on a journey to the jungles of Vanuatu in early August. Their ability to adapt and integrate local culture, rituals and ingredients in to their creations will ultimately decide who the winner will be. The bartender who wins the competition overall will travel to the Hendrick’s Distillery in Scotland as well as London to experience London Cocktail Week in 2014.
The finalists are:
Adam Douglas, Palmer & Co, Sydney
Adam Meredith, Byblos, Brisbane
Alex Boon, Fourth Wall, Brisbane
Andrew Bennett, The Classroom, Perth
Giancarlo Quiroz Jesus, Hawthorn Lounge, Wellington
Joshua Dolman, Botanic Bar, Adelaide
Marco Nunes, Papa Jack’s, Brisbane
Martin Lange, Cobbler, Brisbane
Nique Cacioli, The Noble Experiment, Melbourne
Orlando Marzo, Eau de Vie, Melbourne
Tom Egerton, Eau de Vie, Sydney
Be sure to stop by to try these curious creations, they will be continuing to serve these throughout the month of July.