Jake Down wins Bombay Sapphire Stir Creativity Cocktail Competition

One hundred influential hospitality members gathered last night to watch the four Bombay Sapphire Stir Creativity Cocktail Competition finalists compete for the crown. Jack Down from Apollonia in Sydney impressed the judges the most with his Symphony of Sapphire cocktail inspired by sound.

Each competitor presented their inspiration and cocktail for judges, media, and guests and everyone in attendance experienced the cocktails paired with a bespoke dinner.

The competition is framed by the idea of creativity being all around us and in the everyday. A total of 204 competing bartenders were asked to create a cocktail inspired by the world around them and present it in a ‘Saw This, Made This’ format showcasing Bombay Sapphire, Bombay Sapphire Premier Cru, Bombay Citron Pressé, Bombay Bramble or Bombay Sapphire Sunset. 

The Bombay Sapphire ambassador team whittled the 204 entries down to 21 then following a judging tour were left with four finalists - Jake Down from Apollonia in Sydney, Lachlan Bentley from Gimlet at Cavendish House, Melbourne, Martin McConnell from Frog's Hollow Saloon, Brisbane and Pauric Kennedy from Barangaroo House, Sydney.

Following a perfect presentation and outstanding cocktail, Jake Down from Apollonia, Sydney was announced the winner.

Down's cocktail of Bombay Sapphire Gin, Young Coconut, Mint, Faux Citrus, Saline and Rain Aroma impressed judges - Sam Bygrave from Boothby Media, chef Alejandro Saravia from Farmer’s Daughters, and Trish Brew from Fever-Tree.

Inspired to make his winning cocktail using sound, Down worked with the idea of Synesthesia, the ability to associate sound with flavour and colour. Blue being the note F# and Green, note A.

Down received the inaugural Bombay Sapphire Stir Creativity Cocktail Competition trophy, $3000 prize money, a pin crafted of his winning cocktail, and a trip to London and the home of Bombay Sapphire - the Bombay Sapphire Laverstoke Mill hosted by Australia’s Bombay Sapphire Brand Ambassador, Corina Retter.  While there he will have the exclusive opportunity to experience the rare production processes used to make Bombay Sapphire and discover the sustainable measures and ecology of the conservation area of the distillery.