FUNKIN COCKTAILS has crowned Tyder Howells, from the Ivy Asia Cardiff, as the winner of its 2024 Heritage cocktail competition following a grand finale and celebratory ceremony at The Palm House, London. Bartenders from across the UK went head-to-head to showcase their mixology skills, on-trade expertise and creative flair, as part of the brand’s quarter century festivities.
Launched in 2023, the Heritage cocktail competition challenged bartenders to fuse classic mixology with contemporary techniques and ingredients. The competition concept is inspired by FUNKIN’s own heritage in hospitality as, since its inception in 1999, FUNKIN has been at the forefront of balancing tradition with innovation, consistently providing bartenders with trend-based, premium ingredients to elevate their craft.
Tyder Howells took home the £1,000 prize money, impressing the judges with their standout creation - Midsummer Nectar - which was inspired by the classic Gin Fizz, blended with notes of a modern day favourite, the Margarita.
This flavoursome cocktail features a base of nitro-infused nectarine and marmalade Blanco tequila, blended with FUNKIN Triple Sec Liqueur - from the brand’s new range - and FUNKIN Pro Pure Pour Lemon, topped with raspberry & orange blossom soda. This was garnished with a rosemary sprig, a marmalade cake cube plus a few delicate cracks of black pepper.
The runner-up position, which included a coveted dinner experience valued at £300, was awarded to Aleksandra Pietruszewska from Sexy Fish, who wowed the judges with their cocktail Peaches and Dreams, inspired by the flavours of her Babcia’s peach and apricot pie. The judges were impressed with Aleksandra’s creativity and original use of both the FUNKIN Peach and Triple Sec Liqueurs.
Third place went to Barry Mays from the Oasis Bar & Terrace in London, who served up yet another outstanding cocktail, expertly mixing flavours of Sangria in the style of a New York Sour, earning them £100 prize money and a selection of FUNKIN liqueurs.
The judging panel was led by none other than FUNKIN founder Alex Carlton who was instrumental in laying the foundations of the brand’s legacy. This year’s competition highlighted the exceptional talents of mixologists and showcased the versatility of FUNKIN COCKTAILS Liqueurs, a specially developed range that includes Passion Fruit (18% ABV), Triple Sec (20% ABV), and Peach (18% ABV). These liqueurs, launched last year and endorsed by bartenders, are created with a low ABV and use premium, real-fruits. The result simultaneously complements base cocktail spirits and enhances existing fresh fruit flavours.
Hyppolite Civins, FUNKIN Brand Ambassador and Heritage competition creator adds: “Our mission has always been to drive the cocktail industry forward while staying true to our bartending roots. From our early days, we’ve supported the hospitality industry with first-class bartender training, trend-based innovations, cocktail recipes for all skill-levels and data resources.
“As a brand built from hospitality, throughout FUNKIN’s 25-year journey, bartenders have remained at the heart of our story, inspiring and shaping everything we do. We’re delighted to mark this milestone by celebrating the incredible talent within our community.
“Congratulations to Tyder and all the participants for their impressive creativity and skill, this truly reflects the high standards and passion we strive for across the industry.”
Looking ahead, plans are already underway for a third edition of FUNKIN’s Heritage Cocktail competition which will continue to champion the industry’s hospitality heroes in 2025.