US and Australia Take Early Lead in the 2010 42Below Cocktail World Cup

Occasionally you might like a drink that doesn’t have 42BELOW in it (although, quite
frankly, we can’t imagine why). It's a bit tricky trying to make a drink taste good without
the world's most awarded vodka * in it, which is why we set that as the first challenge in
the 2010 42BELOW Cocktail World Cup.

Twenty four bartenders representing seven countries prepared their 'Modern Mocktail'
creations on the banks of Queenstown’s spectacular Shotover River from ingredients they
were provided with. They had just seven minutes to design and name their drink, before
taking it on the Shotover Jet to mix, pour and present it. Team Australia emerged the clear
winners with their 'Peach, Plum, Rock n Pop' drink. Led by Australia’s ‘bartender of the year’
Chris Hysted, the drink included a plum, peach, cinnamon, crushed pomegranate and apple
juice. Judge Justin McKenzie impressed with the 'balance, presentation and consistency of
their drink under difficult circumstances."

In between having fun and making great drinks, we at 42BELOW like to help further the
education of our participants with a series of cocktail 'summits'. Founder of the UK’s
influential 'Class' magazine and our judge, Simon Difford launched the series with his talk
on 'What Makes a Great Bar Great'. Difford shared some of his top (if slightly questionable)
tips of the trade, "every bar should have a signature cocktail with a secret element, whether
it be a dash of Sazerac or distilled camel spunk.”

The competitions' second major challenge had teams putting their own unique twist on a
classic, popular drink- punch. The '21st Century Punch' challenge is one of the weeks' most
fiercely contested. Team New Zealand had spent weeks preparing their 'Nuku Ora' entry,
the title meaning ‘spiritual essence from the land’. Made and served in vessels made of New
Zealand native timber 'Pohutukawa' the drink included 42BELOW Passionfruit,
spiced manuka honey Pohutukawa and smoked apple bitters.

But the US trio of Todd Thrasher, Sean Hoard and Mark Stoddard were just too good- their
creation ’42 and Cloudy’ used ‘interesting techniques and ingredients and was well
balanced” according to judge Jason Chan. The punch was served in hollowed out
passionfruit and used New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, champagne and 42BELOW Manuka
Honey and Passionfruit and topped with a passionfruit flavoured foam.

After a day of fierce competition, the teams are now being treated like the rock stars they
all secretly dream of being in a spectacular 'Love, Drinks and Rock N Roll baby' party on the
edge of Lake Wakatipu. Tomorrow the convoy has a day of mystery activities in store for
them, certain to test their mixology skills and their mettle.

42BELOW COCKTAIL WORLD CUP RECIPE OF THE DAY
42 AND CLOUDY
42BELOW Honey
42BELOW Passionfruit
Sazerac Rye
white rum
brandy
NZ Sauvignon Blanc
passionfruit juice
Sencha green tea
fresh passionfruit
water
luxardo cherries
Lemon Juice
Champagne to taste
Serve with Passionfruit balls.