Jimi Pearce (pictured), formerly of London bar Wax Jambu, won the London heat of the film-themed Disaronno Mixing Star competition with a drink inspired by Monty Python.
His Trojan Rabbit, based on Monty Python and the Holy Grail, combined Disaronno with Glenfiddich 15 Year Old Solera Reserve whisky, Gosling’s Black Seal rum, Noilly Prat Ambre vermouth, Dubbonet Rouge vermouth and The Bitter Truth Peach Bitters. It was served in a wooden goblet and smoked with desiccated coconut and the shavings from a whisky barrel. In a final tribute to the Monty Python film, the drink was presented alongside two half coconut shells and a small shrubbery.
Second was Rod Eslamieh from The Old Fire Station in Brentford, south-west London, with a drink inspired by Life Is Beautiful. Third was Ed Belshaw, bar manager of World Service in Nottingham, with the Silver Nito, named after a character in A Fistful of Dollars.
The London heat was held at The Hospital Club in Covent Garden, with a judging panel made up of Bar magazine editor Mark Ludmon, Simon Difford of Diffords Guide and Jonatan Ferri Abarbanel, global brand ambassador for Disaronno.
Jimi was one of three UK winners who competed against bartenders from across Europe at the global final in Amsterdam on July 4. Click here for a report on the final at www.barmagazine.co.uk.
