The World Class Bartender of the Year competition is back for its third year in Australia. Celebrating cocktail culture and the art of bartending across almost 40 countries, the competition this year is challenging Australia’s finest mixologists to push the boundaries of their imagination to create incredible drinking experiences inspired through two exciting heats. Each cocktail creation entered will be available through the bartender’s venue and in a new twist this year, consumers may vote for their favourite cocktail and bartender by visiting the World Class Facebook page with a chance to win a $500 bar tab at the venue they voted for.

In the first round that represents the summer season. Bartenders are tasked to create beverages that embody one of three categories – Summer Cocktail, Punch and Gentleman’s Cocktail. Inspired by the three key cocktail trends, the best entries must use the finest ingredients mixed with luxury spirits including either Ketel One vodka, Tanqueray No. Ten gin or The Singleton of Glen Ord Single Malt Scotch Whisky to produce amazing cocktail creations.

Any bar in Australia is welcomed to enter and bartenders enter by uploading their cocktail onto the Facebook page. They must create a cocktail that fits into one of the three categories. For the summer round, the categories are Summer, Punch and Gentleman’s. Reserve Brand Ambassadors also visit each venue unannounced and judge the cocktails.

The second round of the competition dedicated to winter is asking bartenders to create rich and warming drinks inspired by three categories – Gentleman’s Cocktail, Hot Drink and Dessert Serve. Each cocktail will need to incorporate Ron Zacapa 23 rum, Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve Blended Scotch Whisky or Don Julio Reposado tequila.

Two semi final carnivals will follow each round where consumers will be invited to experience the best three cocktail creations in each category and vote for their favourite cocktail or bartender to make it to the national final. The summer round semi final will take place in Sydney on Sunday 22nd January 2012. The winter round semi final will take place in Melbourne on Sunday 20th May 2012.

A combination of the judging and the number of Facebook votes determine the contestants and 10 bartenders will make it to the national final who will compete in a national final to take place in 2012 to be crowned Australia’s best bartender. Head down to one of the city’s top World Class bars to experience what the masters of mixology are serving up as they go head to head for the coveted title – voting is now open until 31st December 2011 so taste your way through these cocktails and may the best cocktail win!

You may also recall our previous guest blogger and bartender Philip Gandevia who can be found behind the bar at Gourmet Traveller’s 2011 Bar of The Year, Eau De Vie. He took out the Sangrita round of the Diageo World Class cocktail competition and shared his winning recipe last festive season.

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