By Sacha Delfosse – editor bars&clubs
South Australia's Eden Dining Room & Bar has beaten 50 other bars from across the country to win the Angostura Barrel Aged Cocktail Promotion, which was held by island2island Beverage Company from May to July.
The trade incentive challenged participating venues to create a barrel-aged cocktail using Angostura 7 year Old, then promote and sell it in their bar over a four-week period.
Eden Dining Room & Bar's winning cocktail, Angostura Manzanilla, was made using apple juice fermented with spices and honey. It was served alongside Kingfish sashimi, lime segments and compressed celery to complement the cocktail's flavour profile.
The quality of entries was so high that the judges could not decide on one runner-up, and instead awarded the second place to five bars – The Classroom (WA), Glass Bar (QLD), Cookie (VIC), Pelicano (NSW) and Alfred & Constance (QLD).
As part of their prize, the winning team from Eden will be treated to dinner and a masterclass with Angostura's master distiller, John Georges, and will also receive a bottle (along with the runners-up) of Angostura #1 Limited Edition signed by Georges.
"Bartenders were excited to get an opportunity to experiment with a barrel and try a new cocktail-making technique. It allowed them to create some attraction in the bar, featuring their creation as a 'cocktail of the month'," said Angostura brand manager, Auriane Bourdin.
"There was also a real interest from consumers who were intrigued and asked about the Angostura barrel, and were happy to pay a little extra to try a barrel-aged cocktail."