MIXLDN 7 global finalists announced

Thirty one countries will be represented at Beefeater’s international gin cocktail competition, MIXLDN 7, held in London this February.

The winner of the global final, taking place 5-8 February 2018, will be given the opportunity to create a new gin under the Beefeater name alongside master distiller Desmond Payne, who was recently awarded an MBE for his services to the industry.

Beefeater recently launched a trends report, headed by Payne called; ‘Cocktails: The New Golden Era’, which looks into the current renaissance in cocktail culture, and the increasing importance of creativity in the bartending scene.

Payne said: “We are experiencing a renaissance in cocktail culture, with the profession of bartending seen in a new light. Through competitions like MIXLDN 7 we are helping to put local ‘mixologists’ on the global stage.

“As I celebrate my 50th year in the industry and see the popularity of gin continuing to soar.

“It makes complete sense that Beefeater organises such a great event, being the world most awarded gin and distilled at the heart of London, a city renowned for creativity and innovation.”

Each finalist has been given the challenge to create a cocktail inspired by their home city’s urban diversity, considering balance of flavours, appearance and originality. The winner will be announced live on 8 February.

The four-day final will be adjudicated by a judging panel comprised of Difford’s Guide founder Simon Difford, Ryan Chetiyawardana of Dandelyan, Alessandro Palazzi of Dukes and Desmond Payne himself.

MIXLDN 7 finalists:


Canada – Jason Griffin, Bacchanal

Iceland – Jónmundur Borsteinsson, Apotek Restaurant

Croatia – Marino Karinja, Bokamorra

Finland – Clément Cariou, A21 Decades

Slovakia – Miroslav Telehanič, Sky Bar & Restaurant

Serbia & Montenegro – Stefan Ćirković, Balkon

Belgium – Julian Kappert, Mercado Antwerp

Bulgaria – Margarita Dimova, Sputnik

China - Ziyu Zhang, The Peninsula, Beijing

Denmark – Marianna Kozanyiova, Curfew Cocktail Bar

Estonia - Mikk      Kelder, Butterfly Lounge

Lithuania - Gabrielė Sasnauskaitė, Alchemikas

Mexico City - Luis Fernando Romero Lopez, Bootlegger

Norway – Maxime Verrier, ISM Oslo

Poland – Patryk Kowalski, Woda Ognista

UK – Alexander Walker. The Beaufort Bar, Savoy

Austria – Manuela Lerchbaumer, Easy Bar in Linz

Brasil – Luciano Guimarães, Pina Cocktails & Co (Speakeasy bar)

New Zealand - Charles Stringer David Gillet, Poplar Social

Cyprus - Pavlos Aslanidis, Columbia Beach

Czech Republic – Hana Graclikova, Bar Super Panda Circus

Greece - Ioannis Alexandros Dontas, Bartesera

USA – Jason Seele

Cuba – Arturo Castro de la Uz, Restaurant

Italy – Corey Squarzoni, Speakeasy Liquid Bar

Japan – Satoshi Sugiura

Peru - Jose Anibal Huayllani, Maido

Argentina – Ariel Figueroa

Hong Kong – Maxim Schulte

Sweden – Simon Epale, Pharmarium

South Africa – Keanu Batista