The numbers are impressive: 24 finalists, over 50 recipes submitted and 90 brands. The premiere of the SWISS COCKTAIL OPEN - the largest cocktail competition in Switzerland for professionals Barkeeper - is something to be proud of. This new, innovative competition format culminated in a brilliant highlight with the final on 21 June 2021 in Hall 550 in Zurich Oerlikon.
With her drink "A Tale of Two Cities", Sarah Madritsch convinced the jury in the first round and qualified with five other bartenders for the second round: the grand final. In addition to preparing their own cocktail creations again, they also had to impress the jury with a story and background information on the drink recipe.
The best cocktail in Switzerland 2021
With her drink "A Tale of Two Cities", Sarah Madritsch connects two places. While the ingredient Belsazar White Vermouth represents the big city atmosphere of Berlin, Orator Rum White and Orator Rum Single Cask, Barrel #5 stand for the idyllic village life in the lower Tösstal. The rums of distiller Christian Orator also come from there, more precisely from Pfungen.
But Sarah Madritsch's Thai roots and her joy of experimentation can also be found in the drink, namely through her homemade cordial made from dehydrated lime and coconut.
The decoration, a simple daisy lying on a large ice cube, smiles at the guest and could stand for hospitality, which is particularly close to the heart of the winner of the 1st SWISS COCKTAIL OPEN.
Winning Drink "A Tale of Two Cities
Winning Drink by Sarah Madritsch
| 1 cl | Orator Rum White |
| 1 cl | Orator Rum Single Cask, Barrel #5 |
| 1 cl | Belsazar White Vermouth |
| 2 cl | Amontillado Sherry |
| 2 cl | Homemade Black Lime & Coconut Cordial |
Decoration: daisy, flavour with lemon zest
An exclusive winner's prize
As the winner of the first SWISS COCKTAIL OPEN, Sarah Madritsch will receive exclusive prizes in addition to the title of "Best Cocktail in Switzerland": She can produce her own absinthe together with a top distiller. She will also receive a wildcard for the qualifying round in the "Barkeeper of the year" category at the 20th anniversary event of the SWISS BAR AWARDS 2022, a feature in BAR NEWS magazine and the challenge cup: a 70 cm high martini glass.
Further awards went to Franco Steiner (Café Bar Lockentopf, Aarau) as the youngest finalist, as well as Luca Huber (Bar am Wasser, Zurich), as the finalist with the best result of the first round.
Ranking list
| Rank | Name | Local | Drink | Appearance (20%) | Aroma (25%) | Flavour (55%) | Storytelling | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Sarah Madritsch | Aries Bar | A Tale of Two Cities | 18.7 | 21.7 | 49.5 | 16 | 105.8 |
| 2. | Luca Huber | Bar am Wasser | Daddy Cool | 16.0 | 21.7 | 47.7 | 18 | 103.3 |
| 3. | Korbinian Walker | Barservice by Walker | Drops of Jupiter | 16.7 | 21.7 | 49.5 | 14 | 101.8 |
| 4. | Kevin Abbühl | Atelier Classic Bar | La fée immortelle | 18.0 | 20.0 | 42.2 | 18 | 98.2 |
| 5. | Liane Arnold | Baradox AG | SAF (Swiss & Asian Friendship) | 16.7 | 20.0 | 49.5 | 12 | 98.2 |
| 6. | André Haueter | Cocktail bar to the Türk | Bergamia | 16.7 | 18.3 | 40.3 | 14 | 89.3 |
Next implementation in 2022
After the great success of the premiere this year, it is planned to hold the SWISS COCKTAIL OPEN again in 2022. The planning work will start soon. Information for partners and Barkeeper will be published in good time on the website swisscocktailopen.ch and in the trade magazine BAR NEWS.
