Bourbon whisky brand, Maker’s Mark recently supported The Magnificent 7 Final at Merivale’s ivy main bar on May 12. Presented by MIXXIT as the official party of World Cocktail Week, the event marked the culmination of a 12-month search for Australia’s most talented bartender.

The Magnificent 7 battling it out for the title of Australia’s Most Talented Bartender
Images provided by Sam Ali shotbysam.com

Seven talented bartenders from across Australia battled it out live on stage, but it was Ben Tua from Mint Nightclub, Perth, who eventually walked away with the prestigious title and a trip to New York to attend one of the world’s most prominent professional cocktail bartending courses in the world. No one went home empty handed though as all seven finalists took away a special edition bottle of Maker’s Mark featuring Harry Johnson, a founding father of cocktail culture in New York.

Kristie Lau Maker’s Mark official guest judge and Ben Tua, Winner
Images provided by Sam Ali shotbysam.com

Coming on board as the Official Maker’s Mark Guest Judge for the evening was The Sun Herald’s Entertainment Writer and cocktail aficionado, Kristie Lau.

“It was so inspiring to see bartenders in their element, enjoying what they do best,” commented Miss Lau. “Each had a unique story to tell through their entry and needless to say, the drinks knocked our socks off. Ben indeed brought the X factor, winning over the entire crowd with his witty delivery and rockstar concoction – divine!”

World Cocktail Week serves as a celebration of the humble cocktail, recognising its history and ongoing development, while also promoting responsible drinking and the pleasure that can come from savouring the flavours and textures of an expertly-mixed drink.

All competitiors went home with a special edition bottle of Maker’s Mark featuring Harry Johnson, a founding father of cocktail culture in New York.

Finalist Asher Pratt chose Maker’s Mark as the base in his cocktail creation for the Magnificent 7 Final – „The Betty Draper. Inspired by the Mad Men character, The Betty Draper follows the basic recipe of the classic Old Fashioned cocktail, but with an elusive feminine touch mixing Maker’s Mark with grapefruit bitters, sugar cubes, soda and a dash of grapefruit juice and garnished with a grapefruit slice and a maraschino cherry.