ALPINE WARMER
HOT COCKTAIL COMPETITION

HELD AT QUEENSTOWN'S DUX DE LUX ON 26th JUNE, SIX FINALISTS fell under the spotlight as they made their hot cocktail in front of a panel of judges and Classic Hits FM to win a Queenstown Ski Season Pass!

We thought we had set quite a challenge but found we had some great entries that covered a spectrum of styles and tastes, even our judges from Classic Hits, Redwood Cellars and NZSki were surprised!

The winning cocktail was made by Andrew Galt of Queenstown who invented 'Applestrudley Good', a fruity hot body of a drink with a warm vanilla cream topping...delicious!

Applestrudley Good

Ingredients:       

150mls Alpine Warmer

15mls Redwood Apricot Nip 

15mls Apple Schnapps

15mls Frangelico

2 slices of apple

50mls of fresh cream

10mls vanilla essence

1 teaspoon of nutmeg

1 tea spoon of cinnamon

1 tea spoon of grated hazelnut

Method:

Place the following in a Boston glass:

15mls Redwood Apricot Nip

15mls Apple Schnapps

15mls Frangelico

2 slices of apple

5mls of vanilla essence

Muddle the above in the Boston glass. Then place these contents into a small metal jug. Add all of the cinnamon, nutmeg and ALPINE WARMER. Use a steam wand to heat to the correct temperature (approx. 60degC, do not boil!) which usually takes up to 30-40 secs.  Pour into a cocktail shaker and place on a strainer.

Take a second metal jug and add the cream and the remaining vanilla essence. Use the steam wand to heat these up for about 20 secs.  

Double strain hot cocktail into a mulled wine glass. Take the heated cream and float with a bar spoon on top of the hot cocktail. Finish off with a little grated nutmeg on top.

Andrew recommends using metal jugs as he used a steam wand from an espresso machine to heat up the cocktail, but if this is not available then put contents into a suitable container and heat in the microwave for 40 seconds.

Well done Andrew!

We hope you all enjoy this wonderful creation!

2nd Place
Jasmin Hill for 'Alpine Christmas'

3rd Place
Andrew Murray for 'Pyro Martini'