The Grand Marnier Cocktail Competition already met with lively interest in the run-up to the event. With almost 30 recipes submitted, participation in the final was anything but guaranteed. All the more the qualified Barkeeper, who had gathered at the Lady Suzette in Zurich on November 7, were looking forward to the final. A certain nervousness was palpable, especially among the participants who were in the finals for the first time at a competition.
For the competition, a new recipe had to be submitted for a cocktail that contains at least 3 cl of Grand Marnier as a base and is completed with other ingredients. In addition, the finalists had to convince the jury of the story behind the drink in a presentation lasting no more than one minute.
After a maximum preparation time of seven minutes, the drinks were judged by a panel of experts. With Peter Roth (former bar manager of the Kronenhalle Zurich), Felix Haag (Drinks to enjoy) and Sebastian Reusser (Brand Ambassador Grand Marnier), the panel of experts was broadly based. The jury was enthusiastic about the creations and the many possible uses of Grand Marnier. Felix Haag thus appropriately commented: "A traditional product meets modern bar culture". Jury member Peter Roth added that Grand Marnier is eminently suitable for drink creations: "Excellent drinks can be mixed with Grand Marnier's high-quality products".
After an exciting and entertaining competition, Benjamin Juhasz from Old Crow in Zurich emerged as the winner of the Grand Marnier Cocktail Competition 2022. He was followed in second place by Luca Monn from Widder Bar in Zurich and Tabea Manzke from Platzhirsch in third place. Together, these three will travel to Grand Marnier in France in spring 2023 to experience Grand Marnier firsthand at its place of origin. Fourth-place winner Petra Giacomazzi from Soho St. Gallen will also enjoy an additional prize, just like the winner. Grand Marnier is organizing an exclusive cocktail party for up to 20 people at each of their respective establishments.
Winning Recipes Grand Marnier Cocktail Competition 2022
1st place: "Petit Trésor", by Benjamin Juhasz, Old Crow, Zurich
| 3 cl | Grand Marnier - Saffron Infused |
| 6 cl | Noilly Prat Dry Vermouth |
| 2 dashes | Campari Cask Tales |
2nd place: "Pangloss", by Luca Monn, Widder Bar, Zurich
| 4 cl | Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge |
| 2 cl | Trois Rivières L'Ocean Pimento & Star Anise Infusion |
| 2 cl | fresh orange juice |
| 0.5 cl | Yuzu juice |
| 0.5 cl | Salted Caramel Syrup |
3rd place: "The Gerry," by Tabea Manzke, Platzhirsch, Aarau
| 3 cl | Grand Marnier Cuvée Louis Alexandre |
| 2 cl | Cynar |
| 2 cl | Lemon juice |
| 1.5 cl | Grapefruit vanilla syrup |
| 3 Dash | Rhubarb bitters |
