Disaronno calls for film-inspired cocktails

Bartenders are being called on to come up with an original cocktail recipe inspired by their favourite movie for the 2013 annual Mixing Star competition for Disaronno Originale liqueur.

Maintaining the brand’s associations with cinema, the prize includes a seven-day trip to the Venice International Film Festival, rubbing shoulders with film stars and showcasing the winning cocktail.

As well as creating a movie-inspired drink, competitors will have to serve up an innovative twist on the classic Disaronno Sour.

To enter, bartenders are initially required to submit their cocktail recipe, demonstrating the versatility and mixability of the original Amaretto liqueur, via www.themixingstar.com. The deadline for entries is April 15.

Regional “casting” heats will take place in theatres in Manchester, Edinburgh and London in May and June, with judges from the bar and drinks industry.

New for this year, the regional heats include an opportunity for contestants to take part in an acting class, teaching them how to capture a customer’s attention.

Three bartenders from the UK will go through to the global final in Amsterdam to compete against bartenders from across Europe, with 14 countries involved.

Will Thompson, brand manager for Disaronno at First Drinks, said: “Mixing Star was launched in 2010 and since then has really engaged with bartenders, establishing the brand’s quality, style and mixability.

“This year we wanted to further reinforce our association with the movies, hence developing the ‘casting’ theme and hosting the competition in theatres as opposed to in bars. We hope this creates a little more drama to each event while hopefully inspiring some real creativity from the entrants.”

Disaronno, which is said to date back to 1525, is made from the essence of 17 herbs and fruits soaked in apricot kernel oil and combined with caramelised sugar.