IT’S IN NOTTINGHAM COCKTAIL WEEK WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Summer at Starkey’s created by Bar Iberico has been named as Nottingham’s Best Cocktail in a competition organised by the Nottingham Business Improvement District (BID) as part of It’s in Nottingham Cocktail Week.
The cocktail also won the collaboration category which involved bars creating cocktails in collaboration with other Nottinghamshire based companies. Summer at Starkey’s was in association with Southwell based company Starkey Fruits Ltd and comprised of Absolut citron, apricot brandy, thyme, J Starkey’s Bramley and Cox apple juice, and elderflower cordial.
Dora Paroda from Bar Iberico, who created the cocktail on the evening of the competition said: “It’s unbelievable that one of our cocktails won the category and took the overall title too – I’m so happy. I just wish that Mike Lloyd who originally created the cocktail could have been here but he was unable to make it but I know that he will be very pleased.”
Hart of a Lion created by Hart’s Hotel & Restaurant was crowned the winner of the Twist on a Classic cocktail. A fresh and seasonal twist on a classic sour, it contained apricot consommé with dandelion infused Chase Vodka and a lemon kick.
Aidan Marshall who created the cocktail said: “I’m surprised but also very pleased as a lot of hard work went into creating the cocktail. I would like to thank our restaurant manager and chef for their input and support.”
In the third category – a cocktail inspired by a Nottingham personality – the winner was a Cherry Bendigo created by Curious Manor. This comprised of muddled blackberries, a dash of cherry bitters, Lambs Navy rum, elderflower cordial and lime juice.
Bar manager Charles Reid said: “I am genuinely shocked to win – it’s only the second cocktail competition that I have entered. There was strong competition so it was difficult even to get to the finals so I am very pleased.”
“Congratulations to all the winners, particularly to Mike and Dora from Bar Iberico, as well as to all the finalists,” said Andy Crawford, a director of Nottingham BID. “The standard of the cocktails created by all the venues was really high which made the task of shortlisting the finalists and then selecting the winners, extremely difficult. All the judges agreed that they could taste all the ingredients in the winning cocktails and that, combined with the overall taste, presentation and stories behind the cocktails decided the eventual winners.”
The cocktails are now available for people to enjoy during Nottingham Cocktail Week at the participating venues in the city centre – with over fifty of them are taking part. Nottingham Cocktail Week runs from 3 to 9 September 2018.
For further information about the event visit: www.itsinnottingham.com/
In the Twist on a Classic category the finalists were:
1. Chino Latino – Flight of the Bees
Created with Tanqueray Gin, Lillet, Violette Liqueur, honey and fresh lemon Juice
2. Curious Manor – Watermelon Daiquiri
Created with Appleton Estate Rum, Maraschino, lime juice, sugar syrup, frozen watermelon puree and blackcurrant sorbet. .
3. Hart’s Hotel & Restaurant – Hart of a Lion
A fresh and seasonal twist on a classic sour. Created with Apricot Consommé with a dandelion infused Chase Vodka and a l emon kick.
The Nottingham Themed finalists were:
1. Curious Manor – Cherry Bendigo
Made with muddled blackberries, dash of cherry bitters, Lambs Navy Rum, elderflower cordial and lime juice.
2. Pitcher & Piano – Sherrif Bison
Created with Zubrowka, Midori, St Germain, apple juice, egg white, lime juice, vanilla syrup.
3. Hilton Nottingham – Black Forest Martini
Created with Absolut, creme de Cassis, creme de mure, Framboise, double cream, Chambord.
The Collaboration with another Nottingham based company category finalists were:
1. Bar Iberico who collaborated with J.Starkey Fruit Juices to create Summer at Starkey’s.
Created with Absolut citron, apricot brandy, thyme, J Starkeys Bramley & Cox Apple Juice, elderflower cordial.
2. Boilermaker collaborated with Left Lion to create Left Limon.
Made with Reka Vodka, Limoncello, Cacao Blanc, rhubarb and cucumber. Served straight up and garnished with a rambling o verheard in Notts.
3. Revolucion de Cuba & Ann Summers joined forces to create Anne’s Naughty Cuban Summers.
Made with Koko kanu coconut rum, Chambord black raspberry liquor, cherry & passionfruit, followed by pink chaser on the side.
The judges for the competition were: Jon Glover of Matthew Clarke, Andrew Crawford, Pub People and Roop Kahloon, Urban Alchemist.
About the Nottingham BID
• Nottingham BID is the company behind It’s in Nottingham, a brand used to promote the city which includes delivering campaigns and events throughout the year as well as a dedicated website and social media accounts.
• Nottingham BID is a not for profit company that is privately funded by its members, who pay a percentage of their rateable value.
• With over 800 members and an annual income of over £1 million per year, Nottingham BID is one of the largest BIDs in the country.
• Its members are businesses and organisations in the retail, leisure, office and education sectors, within a defined BID Zone in Nottingham city centre
• The BID’s aim is to put Nottingham firmly on the map as a regional and national city of choice for shopping, leisure, work and study by delivering a range of initiatives which are driven and shaped by the members.
