Richard Tring is Bristol’s Bartender of the Year, 2011

Last week saw Bristol’s first Cocktail Week take place, brainchild of Hausbar’s Annie Mason and the scene of a host of tastings, competitions, training and an awards ceremony.

The week kicked off with the final of the Bristol Bartender of the Year final, held at Hausbar itself.

Finalists had been selected by monitoring cocktail competition results over the preceding six months, with points being awarded for placing in the top three of both regional and national comps.

This method placed four bartenders in the final:

• Sam Kershaw, Hyde & Co.
• Justyn Bell, The Drinks Cabinet (consultancy)
• Mark Scott, Hyde & Co.
• Richard Tring, The Drinks Cabinet (consultancy)

The final came in three parts – a mystery box round (various ingredients, including Appleton VX), a written quiz and lastly a speed round.

The judges (BarLifeUK and Annie Mason) scored Richard Tring highest in all three rounds, making him the undisputed winner, and Bristol’s Bartender of the Year, 2011.

Richard’s mystery box drink – ‘Ode to VX’

• 1 Bar spoon orange and ginger jam
• 15ml Lime juice
• 10ml Agave syrup
• Mint leaves
• 70ml Appleton VX
• Garnish with mint leaves and summer berries
• Build as you would a Julep