Cocktail contest nominees chosen by The Inn Collection Group
27th August 2024
The King (and Queen) of the Slingers in The Inn Collection Group have been found after a company-wide cocktail competition saw two finalists entered into a prestigious, nationwide competition.
Demi Harper from The Commissioners Quay Inn and Jonny Hayton from The Harrogate Inn were the duo whose take on six classic cocktails impressed the most and have earned a nomination for Pub & Bar Magazine’s 2024 competition.
In a pair of keenly contested qualifiers, the winners were part of an impressive line-up of six talented bartenders, all of whom demonstrated excellent technique and creativity in abundance to wow the assembled judges.
Challenged to produce High Balls, Long Island Iced Teas, Margaritas, Negroni’s Old Fashioneds and Pornstar martini (the same drinks featured in October’s contest), an added twist saw local ingredients and spirits used as much as possible.
Demi's use of Newcastle Gin hit the mark, including smoked banana with her Old Fashioned and a spicy salt and pepper crust with her Margarita, which displayed a delicate touch and balance of flavours.
Jonny meanwhile saw “The Spirit of Harrogate” gins from Slingsby deployed in his Long Island Ice Tea and Highball, with Northumberland’s Hepple Gin in his Negroni.
Handling Schezwan peppercorns and Croft port with aplomb, with Pornstar Martini served in a traditional pub tankard also proved to be an eye-catching presentation of an established staple.
Ensuring that standards were set high, Demi and Jonny were joined by Sarah Bell of The Northallerton Inn, Luke Bramley of Grasmere’s The Swan, Josh Foyle of The Harrogate Inn and Tyler Westman of The Temperance Inn in the qualifiers.
Back for a second year, Pub & Bar Magazine’s Classic Cocktail Competition will see 15 of the UK’s best bartenders assemble to battle it out for each of their drinks to be named the best and an overall champion.
Scored on the balance of flavours, overall taste/enjoyment, presentation, knowledge and skill, prizes for the winner included £1,000 prize money, a Mix with Britvic immersion session and a trip to France for the SIRHA Food show in Lyon.
It is an exciting prospect and one that head of beverage Dave Walker hopes his nominations will go on to become representatives in.
Walker said: “Pub & Bar magazine’s Classic Cocktail competition is a really exciting prospect for any bartender with some serious prizes up for grabs, so we felt that hosting an internal qualifying round was the best way to decide who in The Inn Collection Group we nominated for consideration.
“It was a tough decision for us as judges because the standard was incredibly high, which for me was a nice position as it gives me real confidence in the quality of cocktails we are serving in our inns
“But using the same criteria that will be employed at the Pub & Bar contest, I felt little touches gave Demi and Jonny the edge. We now sit patiently and maybe a little nervously to see if either make it to the finals.”
The 2024 Pub & Bar Magazine Classic Cocktail Competition will take place on October 14 at Dirty Martini in St Paul’s, London.
Winning menus
Demi Harper
Peach & Hibiscus Long Island Iced Tea | Honey & Orange Blossom Pornstar Martini | Smoked Banana Old Fashioned | Spicy Watermelon Margarita | Newcastle Rhubarb and Ginger Gin with Ginger Ale | Chocolate Orange Negroni
Jonny Hayton
Schezwan Cider Old Fashioned | Northern Citrus Negroni | Honeyed Watermelon Margarita | Yorkshire ginger long island | Tied at Anchor Highball | Tropical Pornstar Martini