Ilario Alberto Capraro of Waterford Castle Hotel & Golf Resort, The Island, won the title of National Cocktail Champion 2017. He will now go on to represent Ireland in the 'Long Drink' competition at the World Cocktail Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark from 15 to 21 October 2017.
The new format of the competition, created by Declan Byrne, president of the Bartenders Association of Ireland, required finalists to prepare a selection of classic cocktails as well as their own signature long drink mixture while simultaneously engaging with the live audience at CATEX.
His winning long drink, called The Boss, was made using 15ml Grey Goose l’orange vodka, 40ml St Germain elderflower liqueur, 30ml fresh lime juice, 6 fresh mint leaves and topped up with 40ml Möet & Chandon champagne with lemon zest for aroma.
A panel of special guests were invited to judge the championships over the three days including: Pepe Dioni, vice president of the International Bartenders Association; Oliver Murtagh, Irish Guild of Sommeliers; Alan Kavanagh, Brand Advocacy & Training Manager for Edward Dillon & Co Ltd; Paul Lambert, The Blind Pig Speakeasy; and Conor Myers, Bacardi Legacy Irish Winner 2017.
Other winners included Roberto Garcia, Fire Restaurant, for Best Restaurant Bartender; Owen Hughes, Wiley Fox, for Best Pub/Gastro Pub Bartender; and Michael Gadzala, Cliff House Hotel, for Best Technical Bartender.
