Team USA win hotly contested punch challenge

A drink inspired by sixties cult sitcom ‘The Beverly Hillbillies’ made the judges want to ‘come on back now ya hear’. An impressive presentation and equally delicious drink making Team USA the unanimous winners in the 42BELOW Cocktail World Cup punch challenge.

Their drink titled ‘42BELOW the Mason-Dixie Line’ (in reference to a geographic divide between the southern states) had an impressive list of ingredients including 42BELOW Pure and Manuka Honey, hand pressed apple cider and three types of tea.

The world’s leading punch authority, judge David Wondrich said he was thrilled to see ‘his’ team win, “It was a tactical punch, showing a lot of skill, and it’s something I would want to drink plenty of. Their presentation was tight and hilarious.”

The punch challenge is always the week’s most colourful, the Italians again showing their sartorial style indulging in some cross dressing, their tuxedo jackets matched with lipstick, heels and fishnet tights to present their ‘Crazy Berry, Spicy Mary’ served in a green capsicum. Team New Zealand presented a ‘John Masters 1936 Punch’ in honour of an Arrowtown farmer who grew the country’s biggest pumpkin, and the Australians revisited a trans-Tasman debate with their pavlova inspired drink.

Earlier in the day contestants headed up Queenstown’s Skyline Gondola to hear from the London’s 'maestro' of cocktail making Salvatore Calabrese. He delivered a summit on 'How to be the Perfect Host' with the bartenders transfixed by his life story from his first job in a bar as a teenager in small town Italy to his place as one of the world’s most respected drinks maker. Calabrese emphasized the importance of the 'brotherhood of bartending' and served up his renowned ‘perfect’ martini .

According to the ‘New York Times’, David Wondrich is a 'living iPod of drinks Lore and recipes'. He's now also a Cocktail World Cup judge. He's passionate about punch, so much so he wrote the bestselling (and originally titled) book 'Punch'. He's also the author of 'Imbibe' and the drinks writer for Esquire magazine. Wondrich educated the competitors on the historical origins of the drink , which began with British sailors trying to make something palatable with the few ingredients they had on board. Let it be noted that Wondrich later confessed to giving extra points to teams who used his book for inspiration in their punch creations!

Teams have just one more chance to get points on the board. The final challenge, ‘Ready, Steady, Shake’ will be held on the shores of Lake Wakitipu tomorrow before the grand final event on Friday night.

WINNING COCKTAIL OF THE DAY: Team USA’s 42BELOW THE MASON-DIXIE LINE

18 OX 42BELOW PURE

4 OZ VANILLA BEAN INFUSED 42BELOW MANUKA HONEY

4 OZ BENEDICTINE

9OZ LEMON

4OZ APPLE CIDER (HAND PRESSED)

13 OZ PINEAPPLE JUICE

4OZ BROWN SUGAR OLEO SACCHARUM

4OZ BLACK AND ROOBOS SUN TEA

4OZ CINNAMON, CLOVE AND HOROPITO FIG SYRUP

300 MLS WATER

Mix and serve in chip smoked Applewood cups