Cointreau has the new Margarita Challenge, paying homage to the original Margie in the year of its 75th anniversary.
Bartenders are invited to re-imagine the classic cocktail only the equipment that would have been available in 1948 when Dallas socialite Margaret “Margarita” Sames threw her lavish party at her home in Acapulco. And their re-imagining of her original concoction must be created with Cointreau and salt.
Ten finalists from around the world will be flown to compete in the final at the historic Cointreau La Maison in Angers, France. They will spend three days there immersed in the Cointreau experience and participating in mixology challenges.
First prize is an additional trip for two to France, plus a €5000 sponsored budget to tour and promote their own creative take on the Original Margarita in the best cocktail bars selected by Cointreau.
The following criteria will be used to judge the cocktails:
- Techniques 40 per cent: - Participants must only use cocktail equipment that was available during the era (1940s).
- Ingredients 30 per cent - At least 20ml minimum of Cointreau and salt are the only mandatory ingredients.
- Storytelling 20 per cent - Participants should come up with an evocative name and a vivid story that takes the jury on a sensory voyage as much as their recipe does.
- Presentation 10 per cent - Each cocktail’s visual presentation, as well as the photo provided of it, will factor into the jury’s decision.
The jury will be made up of last year’s winner Jonathan Stanyard, World’s 50 Best Bars Award recipient Rory J Shepherd, journalist and spirits expert Kelly Magyarics, and Cointreau’s own Master Distiller Carole Quinton.
Entries are open until Sunday, 12 February with submissions to be made here.
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