Wins for London and Scotland on Day Two of 42BELOW Cocktail World Cup

They took home the Ashes, bookies are backing them for the Six Nations and now the UK has emerged an early favourite for a world cup title. Teams from London and Scotland were winners on the first day of challenges at the 42BELOW Cocktail World Cup ‘Carnival of the Cocktail’.

First up was the ‘Modern Mocktail’ challenge, where teams must select ingredients to shake and pour while riding the Shotover Jet at speeds of up to 85 kilometres per hour. The Italian were hands down favourites in the style stakes with their personalised Cocktail World Cup leather jackets and plastic fruit leis. But when it came to the best drink, Team London were clear winners with ‘Virgins Knickers’ an alcohol free cocktail containing fresh ginger, raspberries, lime juice, egg white which according to brand ambassador Borys Saciuk was “perfectly balanced drink with fantastic layers of flavours.”

The convoy then headed to the legendary Arrowtown bakery for a compulsory ‘Steak and Cheese’ pie (which we would like to confirm BOTH Playboy playmates ‘smashed’ with gusto.) The competition’s big surprise, a wine cocktail and food pairing challenge was then unveiled at one of Central Otago’s most prestigious wineries, Peregrine. The teams were briefed on the complexities of food and drink matching by Wellington chef Rex Morgan before being given eight minutes to mix six drinks containing both 42BELOW Vodka and a Peregrine wine which complemented a smoked pork belly dish prepared by Morgan.

The judges unanimously voted Team Scotland the winner, praised for their presentation, team work and for keeping their creation simple, “it was a very tough challenge, they had to make a drink with wine they had never tried before and match it to a dish they had never tasted before” said drinks writing legend, judge David Wondrich. “They were smart in going back to basics with a drink which perfectly balanced out the sweetness of the pork belly dish.”

The winning drink, ‘42ND Century” was a take on the classic ‘20th Century’ cocktail and used 42BELOW Vodka Pure and Peregrine Chardonnay.

The winners will be chosen in an all singing, all dancing grand final event at the Lake Hayes showgrounds on Friday 18th March. Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the Christchurch Earthquake Relief Fund.

RECIPE OF THE DAY:

‘42ND CENTURY’ (Team Scotland)

30 mls 42BELOW Vodka Pure

25 mls Peregrine Chardonnay

15 mls fresh lemon juice

10 mls Crème de Cacao

5mls Aperol

Pinch of sugar

Combine all in cocktail shaker. Shake, strain and garnish with grapefruit twist.