HONG KONG’S BEST BAR TEAM CROWNED AT THE FIRST ABSOLUT INVITE BARTENDING COMPETITION

CREATIVE ABSOLUT COCKTAILS NOW ON OFFER FROM ABSOLUT INVITE FINALISTS

Absolut is pleased to announce the winners of Hong Kong’s first ABSOLUT INVITE BARTENDING COMPETITION- TEAM EDITION: Bryson Rivera and Vikky Ma of Bar Q88 in the JW Marriott Hotel.

The Absolut Company has celebrated the outstanding creativity and knowledge amongst the world’s top bartenders since 25 years back, however the Absolut Invite competition steps away from the traditional formats of bar competitions, and instead presents bar teams with unique challenges that are set to test their teamwork skills at a high pace with a race to the very finish.

On 30 April, 8 of Hong Kong and Macau’s best bar teams competed at PLAY Club and around LKF in a series of challenges that tested their creativity, knowledge, speed and teamwork. Teams were included from: Bibo, Skye, Bar Q88, Flint Grill & Bar, PLAY Club, Club Cubic, The Macallan Whisky Bar & Lounge, and Heart Bar. After an exhilarating speed challenge where competitors needed to break record times while accurately concocting a variety of ten cocktails, the judges conferred and crowned Bar Q88 victorious, with the team from Flint Bar & Grill as a first runner-up. Both teams will travel to Stockholm Sweden, with the team from Bar Q88 vying to be crowned the world’s best bar team at the Absolut Invite Global Finals this June.

Rico Dynan said of Absolut Invite: “First and foremost, this competition is about bartending, not mixology. Mixology is a component of bartending, but bartending is a sum of more parts. Absolut Invite tests the many challenges that bartenders face behind the bar. The teams in Hong Kong showed incredible creativity and determination and I am excited to bring some of them to the global stage.”

 From June, in celebration of their achievements, a selection of creative cocktails are now on offer from Absolut Invite finalists. The winning cocktail, Andy “Absolut” Warhol Fizz (HK$130), a mix of Absolut with earl grey tea, bergamot, rhubarb and lemonade is now offered at Q88; the team from Flint Bar and Grill presents the Sakura Tera (HK$130), inspired by the Zen of Japanese gardens and featuring the flavors of yuzu, sakura, and cranberry; Bibo offers an ode to the Swedish word for cheers, with their cocktail, Skål (HK$130), comprised of Absolut Elyx, cucumber syrup, homemade rosemary and jalapeno syrup, cucumber bitters garnished with passionfruit tea jelly and rosemary; SKYE presents the Absolut Driver (HK$140) highlighting the flavors of fresh orange, apricot, and caramelized orange. 

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A TICKET TO TOKYO: RYAN NIGHTINGALE IS CROWNED HONG KONG’S CHIVAS MASTERS CHAMPION 2017

Top bartender earns place to compete in the Chivas Masters Global Final in Japan

Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury whisky, has announced Ryan Nightingale from Aberdeen Street Social in Hong Kong as the national champion of the Hong Kong 2017 Chivas Masters cocktail competition. 

Overcoming fierce competition from over 8 entrants Nightingale impressed the prestigious panel of judges, which included Serhan Kusaksizoglu, Director of Corporate Project – Bar and Concepts at Shangri-la Hotels and Resorts; Agung Prabowo, Beverage Manager Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong; Masahiki Endo, Bartender-In-Chief of Mizunara: The Library; Maximilian Warner, International Brand Ambassador of Chivas; Frantz Hotton, Managing Director of Pernod Ricard Hong Kong and Macau, with his signature cocktails.

With Top Up, Nightingale revisited a Classic cocktail from New York, where Chivas Regal was first launched in 1909. Noble Bean showcased Hong Kong’s local flavours, while Moshi Moshi explored the celebrated traditions of Tokyo’s bartending scene, which is renowned for its extraordinary craftsmanship, kind service and precision. The resulting three serves epitomised the international appeal of Chivas Regal.

Ryan Nightingale will be invited to spend an immersive week in Tokyo in July 2017 with fellow contestants at the Chivas Masters Global Final, where the distinguished panel of judges - all internationally acclaimed bartenders - will share some of their insights and expertise through inspirational masterclasses. Throughout a week of individual and team challenges, Nightingale will be judged on his bartending talent, but – crucially – will also need to prove his ability to work collaboratively with an international bartending team, and inspire others to achieve shared success, through the Chivas Masters Collective team challenge. Announced on Thursday 6th July, the 2017 Global Chivas Master will win the opportunity to travel to an iconic bar in the city of their choice, to work alongside some of the world’s most influential bartenders.

The first opportunity for Hong Kong to taste Nightingale’s winning cocktail is at the 2nd Hong Kong Whisky Festival, Saturday 4 March (InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong). He will be behind Chivas’s pop up bar at the festival and will be serving his Noble Bean cocktail. The alfresco Chivas Bar, crafted completely of ice, will provide an excellent atmosphere to match Chivas whiskies with cigars and oysters and will host a new Chivas expression, Chivas Ultis, the first blended malt in the brand’s history and a vatting of five Speyside single malts.

During the month of March, whisky lovers are encouraged to try a selection of finalist cocktails at prestigious bars around Hong Kong. Meet the master, Ryan Nightingale at Aberdeen Street Social to enjoy his award-winning Noble Bean (HK$110 + 10%), and head to Alibi in the Cordis Hotel to try Leo Cheung’s Yum-Cha Regal with BBQ Pork (HK$168 + 10%). In addition, whisky enthusiasts can embark on a Journey Through Aberdeen (HK$TBC + 10%), as they taste the innovative rendition of the classic Rob Roy by Max Umang of Artesian at the Langham. For those looking for a marriage of interesting flavours, head to the Tiffany Bar in the Intercontinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong to savour The Blended Prince ($TBC + 10%) created by Elton Sherchan.

Future Chivas pop-up bars will be announced on the local Chivas Facebook page.