NZ and OZ battle it out at 42 Below competition

Mixologists from New Zealand and Australia will go head to head in Queenstown, New Zealand for the final of the sustainability focused cocktail competition, 42 Below Cocktail Earth Cup.

The competition’s entry requirements tested the hopefuls’ ability to create a cocktail championing environmentally sustainable practices using Bacardi’s 42Below Vodka as the base.

Entries ranged from ‘Infinity’ which used pear cores that would otherwise be thrown away, ‘From Tank to Table’ which utilised rain water and ‘Let’s Get Tropical’ which claimed to be ‘a closed loop cocktail’ and boldly stated that it creates zero waste.

The final from 22-24 August will see five Australian bar teams from Sydney’s This Must Be The Place and The Collaroy Hotel, Brisbane’s The Press Club, Perth’s The Halford Bar and Geelong’s Quban compete head-to-head with five of their Kiwi rivals.

Hailing from all corners of New Zealand, the opposing contestants come from: Auckland’s Bedford Soda and Liquor, Mea Culpa and The Gin Room, Nelson’s Cod & Lobster Brasserie and Wanaka’s LaLaLand.

42Below’s brand ambassador Sean Forsyth said: “The 10 teams will be put through their paces learning waste eliminating in bars, sustainable cocktail practices, and also getting amongst what beautiful Queenstown has to offer. From bungee jumping to a ‘carbon footsprint,’ we will ensure the contestants will have an unforgettable experience in our spiritual brand home.”

The victorious team will return to judge next year’s competition alongside Bacardi’s judge, Jacob Briars. This year Briars will be joined by Steve Schneider, 2012’s competition winner and Bonnie Shearston, owner of Public in Brisbane.