Judging this novel event was Ylva Binder, founder of Rhuby; Solveig Sommarström, master Rhuby distiller; Ivy Mix, co-founder of Speed-Rack USA as well as top ten female US bartender and Lynnette Marrero, co-founder of Speed-Rack USA (www.speed-rack.com).
Seven of the UK’s top female bartenders battled it out, shaking innovative and inventive Rhuby liqueur creations. It was a hotly contested shake-off but Naomi Fletcher from Hawksmoor, London fought of fierce competition to be crowned Miss Rhuby 2012.
Naomi was praised for her “contagious energy and British wit behind the bar. Her cocktails demonstrated in-depth classic bartending skill, along with outstanding product knowledge and general cocktail history”. Naomi’s original “Flip It Twice” Rhuby cocktail proved her phenomenal ability to balance complex flavours with meticulous precision.
Close runner up was Elsa Holmberg from Brass Monkey, Nottingham. Elsa charmed the judges with her “Nordic heritage, calm exterior and experienced hands. She was able to combine serious base flavour, whilst maintaining the lightness of Rhuby”.
The other five talented finalists included Ash Bovey from Sahara, Reading; Jolene Cadwell from Papaji’s, Bristol; Isabella Newman from Circo, Bath; Rosie Paterson from the Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh and Dee Ann Quinones from 69 Colebrooke Row, London.
All the girls showed flair, ambition and extensive cocktail shaking knowledge. Ylva Binder, creator of Rhuby, noted that the event was an overwhelming success, with the finalists showing “passion, great skill and above all else, innovation and original thinking”.
Rhuby proved to be the perfectly versatile and complimentary addition to all the cocktails crafted at the competition. Rhuby liqueur is available at www.thedrinkshop.com, www.thewhiskyexchange.com and at a range of top bars including Hawksmoor, The Sanderson Hotel, Mahiki, Graffiti Bar, Dorsia and Baltic Restaurants.
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