An international competition has been launched challenging bartenders in the UK to come up with cocktails using Greek liqueur mastiha.
Now in its sixth year, the Skinos Mediterranean Cocktails Challenge has returned with a concept of “Team Challenge”, where bartenders are invited to participate in teams of two.
As well as the UK, it is open to bartenders in Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, Lebanon, Bulgaria, and the Netherlands, calling for a unique recipe using Skinos mastiha inspired by the ingredients, flavours and aromas of the Mediterranean.
With a deadline of May 31, 2016, bartenders need to submit their recipe at www.myskinos.com/mcc. It will be presented to the judges during the semi-finals in each region and the winning pair will travel to Berlin and the Bar Convent show in October to present their drink.
The judging panel consists of two of the best-known Greek bartenders: Dimitris Kiakos, owner of leading bar The Gin Joint in Athens, and Alexander Sourmpatis, award-winning bartender and bar manager of Spinte Bar in Thessaloniki.
At 30% ABV, Skinos Mastiha is distributed in the UK through Amathus Drinks, styled as “mastiha spirit”. The liqueur, which has been made in Greece for many centuries, is made from the resin of the mastiha tree, giving flavours of pine and anise.