Ever since Tom Cruise juggled and shook his way through the movie Cocktail, bartending has been widely viewed as more of a circus act than a traditional craft. But while the stunts are great to watch, the real flair comes in mixing an original drink in which the ingredients are blended perfectly.
There is no shortage of competitions in which bartenders can strut their stuff; most are sponsored by various liquor brands. The latest contest, 'Hippest Bar Master in Town', was sponsored by blended Scotch whisky Chivas Regal and saw bartenders from C Club, California Bar, Club Ing, Dragon-i, Edge, Hei Hei Club, One-fifth and Red do battle.
'A Bar Master is not only a talented bartender, but someone who brims with creativity,' says organiser Calvin Hui, emphasising the importance of originality.
Ingredients ranged from apple sorbet and fresh ginger to green tea and milk. Customers voted for their drinks through a website, so bar staff had to thrill drinkers' palates as well as impress competition judges.
Dragon-i barman Danny Lau created Chivas Ginger Rush as a cool and refreshing concoction to ease the summer heat. 'I used ginger zest, brown sugar and strawberries to create one that is easy to drink.'
But the winner, announced at an event last week, was Joe Leung from C Club and his strawberry-tinged Chivas Sweet.