Newcastle's New Cocktail King

by What's On NE

NEWCASTLE has crowned a new cocktail king following the latest round of competition at Popolo bar, lounge and kitchen.

Tom Walker, who works behind the bar at Popolo at Pilgrim Street, was officially named as Newcastle’s premier cocktail maker in the third bi-monthly cocktail competition organised by Aquaclear Leisure Ltd. 

Tom and his 11 fellow contestants, who represented a variety of Newcastle venues including La Vina and Floritas, were each challenged to create a masterpiece cocktail using Hendrick’s Gin. 

Tom’s drink, the fruity Magna Carta, received top marks from the judges for its display of cocktail knowledge, presentation, creativity and taste, and saw him awarded the first prize of £100 cash, plus two tickets to the Goodwood Revival Festival including travel and accommodation.

Tom takes the cocktail connoisseur title from fellow Popolo barman Matt Hitchen who won the competition back in November 2007 following the first event when Adam Louden from Nancy’s Bordello was crowned the winner.

Jon Dyer, general manager at Popolo, said: “This was the third cocktail competition we’ve held at Popolo and the standards just keep getting higher everytime.   Popolo is known locally as the ‘bartenders bar’ and we are proud to be able to give local professionals a chance to showcase their skills and to show just how much creativity we have in the North East bar industry.” 

Tom’s winning recipe
Magna Carta

60ml Hendrick's Gin
10ml Apricot Brandy
1 barspoon stewed rhubarb
1 barspoon rhubarb champagne conserve
20ml apple juice
dash elderflower cordial
 
muddle rhubarb and conserve in a boston glass
add all other ingredients and cubed ice
shake and strain into a martini glass

Please drink responsibly. For further advice and information visit www.drinkaware.co.uk/