Down of Sydney’s Apollonia has been crowned the inaugural winner of the competition after his cocktail took out top spot at the final event.
Down along with the other three finalists Lachlan Bentley from Gimlet at Cavendish House; Martin McConnell from Frog’s Hollow Saloon and Pauric Kennedy from Barangaroo House presented their creations at the final event in Sydney on 4 April.
The cocktails were based off the brief given to the bartenders earlier in the year to craft a drink inspired by the world around them.
They were also asked to present them in a ‘Saw This, Made This’ format and had to feature either Bombay Sapphire, Bombay Sapphire Premier Cru, Bombay Citron Pressé, Bombay Bramble or Bombay Sapphire Sunset.
The finalists took to the stage to create their cocktails live for guests along with judges Sam Bygrave from Boothby Media; chef Alejandro Saravia from Farmer’s Daughters and Trish Brew from Fever-Tree.
Down’s creation was the Symphony of Sapphire, and starred Bombay Sapphire Gin, young coconut, mint, faux citrus, saline and rain aroma.
Down aimed to make a cocktail using sound to create a unique experience for the senses while evoking memories, emotions and feelings through the flavours and ingredients.
As the winner, Down will receive the Bombay Sapphire Stir Creativity Cocktail competition trophy, $3000 prize money, a pin of the winning cocktail and a trip to London to visit the Bombay Sapphire Laverstoke Mill hosted by Corina Retter.
Hospitality members were also in attendance at the final event, where they got the opportunity to try the finalists’ cocktails, alongside a dinner at Sydney’s Establishment.
Over 200 bartenders from across Australia entered the competition which opened earlier this year, and was then shortlisted down to 21 entrants before the final four were announced last month.