Finlandia Cup Winners

Twenty-nine of the world’s best bartenders braved the cold, -16C (3F) above the Arctic Circle in Finland yesterday in hopes of capturing the 11th Annual International Finlandia Vodka Cup.

In order to compete in the Finlandia Vodka Cup Finals in Finland, competitors had to win regional competitions in their home countries. These winners were invited to Finland for the chance to represent their country in the International Finals. During the Finals, each competitor had to demonstrate his or her range of mixology talents by crafting three unique creations in the aperitif, long drink and the “Quick Mix” categories. Bartenders were given the drink ingredients 10 minutes prior to the competition. During that time, each contestant had to invent a new drink recipe and then mix the concoction within an additional five minutes.

Every drink the bartenders crafted had to be a new creation based on Finlandia Vodka, or a member of its flavour family: Cranberry Fusion, Lime, (which is my personal favourite)  Redberry, Mango, Wild Berries or Grapefruit Fusion. After each round, the drinks were judged by an international jury on the aroma, appearance, and most importantly, the flavour of each cocktail. The winner was determined by the most cumulative points in all three categories.

When all the mixing was done, Raditya Dimas from Indonesia but working in Dubai won the contest by earning 298 points out of a possible 312, in the three drink categories: the aperitif, long drink and “Quick Mix”.

Dimas winning cocktails were:

Aperitif: THE QUICKY TINI

4.5 cl Finlandia Cranberry Fusion vodka
1.5 cl strawberry liqueur
1.5 cl passion fruit syrup
3 cl lemon juice

Method: Shake and strain into a martini glass

Garnish: Lemon slice and mint tip

Long Drink: JAKARTA RED DRAGON

6 cl Finlandia Grapefruit Fusion
1 piece apple
3 cl passion fruit syrup
3 cl raspberry puree
3 cl cranberry juice

Method: Muddle, shake and strain into a highball glass

Garnish: Red currant, grapefruit peel, and mint tip

Quick Mix: THANK YOU WITH LOVE

6 cl Finlandia Grapefruit Fusion
3 cl sugar syrup
6 cl Pomegranate juice
3 slices pink grapefruit

(1 oz (ounce) equals 3 cl (centiliters))

The two North American competitors included Jeff Schaus from Calgary AB, and Christine Misiura from Orlando. Jeff  tied for sixth in the Aperitif category and placed 13th in the Long Drink, coming in 17th overall. Christine tied for third in the Aperitif category and placed sixth in the Long Drink, coming in 13th overall, garnering one of the best U.S. finishes in the history of the Finals.

Jeff’s Aperitif and Long Drink recipes:

Aperitif: Mango Zen

1 oz. Finlandia Mango Fusion Vodka
1 oz. Mango Puree
4 oz. Ice Cold Green Tea with a hint of Honey

Shake and strain into a glass

Garnish: Orange and Lime Rind

Long Drink: Name of drink: Limestone Lemonade

1 oz. Finlandia Lime Fusion Vodka
1 oz. Fresh Squeeze Lemon Juice
1 oz. Simple Syrup
4 oz. Water
1 Sprig of Fresh Rosemary

Shake and strain into a glass.

Garnish: Long Rosemary Sprig/Long Lime Rind/Lemon Wheel in center of glass

Christine’s Aperitif and Long Drink recipes:

Aperitif: Lemon Bliss

1 3/4 oz. Finlandia Grapefruit Fusion
1 1/2 oz. St. Germain
3/4 oz. Fresh lemon juice
3/4 oz. Simple syrup
Lemongrass

Muddle lemongrass, syrup, juice. Add Finlandia Grapefruit Fusion, St. Germain. Shake and strain

Garnish with Lemongrass and grapefruit flower

Long Drink: Pomegranate Crush

1 1/4 oz. Finlandia Wild Berry Fusion
1 oz. Pomegranate juice
2 fresh orange slices (rind removed)
3/4 oz simple syrup
Splash fresh sour mix

Method: In glass to be used for serving – Muddle orange slices, pomegranate juice and simple syrup. Add Finlandia Wild Berry Fusion and splash of sour. Add ice and shake.

Garnish with Orange/Raspberry/Blackberry pinwheel.

The 11th Annual International Finlandia Vodka Cup Finals was held in Kittila, Finland, in a specially designed Snow Dome for the competition made completely of snow and hand-cut ice pulled from a nearby river. Inside the dome, hand-crafted Ice Bars lined the inside of the 16-meter diameter, 10-meter high igloo. Competitors not only had to deal with the pressure of the competition but also the cold, making ingredients react differently.

[images provided by Finlandia Vodka]