Maybe Mae’s Ollie Margan last week was awarded winner in the ‘Professional’ category of The Perfect Blend bartending competition in the Hunter Valley.
With 500 entries in total, Margan beat 57 other state finalists in the competition that showcases the talent of bartenders from across Australia and New Zealand. Margan was the first contestant from South Australia to ever win the competition.
The competition involved a written exam, blind tasting and a mystery box creation using Maker’s Mark, or Jim Beam Rye, Double Oak or White. Ollie’s winning entry included Jim Beam Rye, Sweet Vermouth, Lemon, Honey, Ginger and Thyme. The contestants made their take on a Highball to be the next ‘trend’ drink in the trade. For this, Margan featured Makers Mark, ginger juice and a house made apple tonic complete with verjus, green tea and vanilla. The final drink was based on a theme such as reimagining a classic where Ollie re-imagined a Kentucky classic ‘The Mint Julep.’ Margan used raspberry leaf and mint infused Makers Mark, mixed with Fernet Branca and raspberry cordial.
Intermission – check out these gorgeous cocktails at Maybe Mae…
As the winner, Margan will travel next month to Kentucky to visit the distilleries of Maker’s Mark and Jim Beam before heading to New York to experience some of the world’s best bars.
If you want to know what sweet victory tastes like, Maybe Mae is located at 15 Peel Street, Adelaide.
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