Pisco Fever 3: Mai Bar takes top spot in Beijing cocktail contest
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The Embassy of Peru and Kempinski Hotel hosted a Pisco cocktail contest on Wednesday that featured the concoctions of 13 bartenders from Beijing establishments Terra, Mai, Mao Mao Chong, 12SQM, Alameda, Nobu, 4corners and Kempinski as well as Pei Yan Bartender School, where spinning, flipping and tossing bottles — flair — appears to be a big part of the curriculum. The competition followed a cocktail class led by Hans Hilburgh, a bartender visiting from Peru, who was a judge along with Bob Louison, Rosita Lu and me. It also followed a longstanding tradition, at least in my experience, that cocktail competitions must take at least twice as long as planned.
Anyway, we were asked to score based on presentation, technique and flavor, and when the Pisco settled, top spot went to Jeff from Mai Bar, with a Mint Smash Pisco that used said herb as a rim rub and garnish, followed by Fu Shuai of Pei Yan, who kept up a lively banter and produced a tasty and spritzy drink, and Stephanie of Mao Mao Chong, who made something called “The Green Hornet“. I found that last drink, which included elderflower syrup, black pepper and cucumber, the most intriguing and hope to try some variations of it.
Rounding out the top six were Lewis of Nobu with his Passion of Pisco, which included sake, passion fruit, and honey syrup (nice drink), Mike of 12SQM who made a “Piscopolitan“, and Rong of Pei Yan school — while her drink didn’t wow anyone, she deserved an award for her attitude, confidence and fun approach to the competition (see video above).
I hope to have photos of the event soon. In the meantime, if you want some Pisco for home use, check out this contest for a bottle of Porton.
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