The winner of the global final, taking place 5-8 February 2018, will be given the opportunity to create a new gin under the Beefeater name alongside master distiller Desmond Payne, who was recently awarded an MBE for his services to the industry.
Beefeater recently launched a trends report, headed by Payne called; ‘Cocktails: The New Golden Era’, which looks into the current renaissance in cocktail culture, and the increasing importance of creativity in the bartending scene.
Payne said: “We are experiencing a renaissance in cocktail culture, with the profession of bartending seen in a new light. Through competitions like MIXLDN 7 we are helping to put local ‘mixologists’ on the global stage.
“As I celebrate my 50th year in the industry and see the popularity of gin continuing to soar.
“It makes complete sense that Beefeater organises such a great event, being the world most awarded gin and distilled at the heart of London, a city renowned for creativity and innovation.”
Each finalist has been given the challenge to create a cocktail inspired by their home city’s urban diversity, considering balance of flavours, appearance and originality. The winner will be announced live on 8 February.
The four-day final will be adjudicated by a judging panel comprised of Difford’s Guide founder Simon Difford, Ryan Chetiyawardana of Dandelyan, Alessandro Palazzi of Dukes and Desmond Payne himself.
MIXLDN 7 finalists:
Canada – Jason Griffin, Bacchanal
Iceland – Jónmundur Borsteinsson, Apotek Restaurant
Croatia – Marino Karinja, Bokamorra
Finland – Clément Cariou, A21 Decades
Slovakia – Miroslav Telehanič, Sky Bar & Restaurant
Serbia & Montenegro – Stefan Ćirković, Balkon
Belgium – Julian Kappert, Mercado Antwerp
Bulgaria – Margarita Dimova, Sputnik
China - Ziyu Zhang, The Peninsula, Beijing
Denmark – Marianna Kozanyiova, Curfew Cocktail Bar
Estonia - Mikk Kelder, Butterfly Lounge
Lithuania - Gabrielė Sasnauskaitė, Alchemikas
Mexico City - Luis Fernando Romero Lopez, Bootlegger
Norway – Maxime Verrier, ISM Oslo
Poland – Patryk Kowalski, Woda Ognista
UK – Alexander Walker. The Beaufort Bar, Savoy
Austria – Manuela Lerchbaumer, Easy Bar in Linz
Brasil – Luciano Guimarães, Pina Cocktails & Co (Speakeasy bar)
New Zealand - Charles Stringer David Gillet, Poplar Social
Cyprus - Pavlos Aslanidis, Columbia Beach
Czech Republic – Hana Graclikova, Bar Super Panda Circus
Greece - Ioannis Alexandros Dontas, Bartesera
USA – Jason Seele
Cuba – Arturo Castro de la Uz, Restaurant
Italy – Corey Squarzoni, Speakeasy Liquid Bar
Japan – Satoshi Sugiura
Peru - Jose Anibal Huayllani, Maido
Argentina – Ariel Figueroa
Hong Kong – Maxim Schulte
Sweden – Simon Epale, Pharmarium
South Africa – Keanu Batista
