It is greatly evident Hong Kong stands with the greats in the mixology space stretching the globe. Where Bar Leone, the World’s Best Bar, calls home, standards are rising and competition gains ground. Hong Kong’s astute mixologists are driven to seek an edge to improve their craft.
On Sep. 16, Hong Kong welcomed the inaugural ‘Master Shaker 2025’ competition held at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, drawing a crowd of industry professionals to witness the mastery of Hong Kong’s up-and-coming young mixologists across the hospitality sector to showcase their grand mixology skills.
The industry event, powered by international drinks distributor METABEV, invited a table of seasoned judges to critique and laud the expertise of 10 finalist bartenders.
With a 35-year-long history distributing fine spirits and food products across Asia-Pacific, METABEV maintains enduring relationships with Hong Kong’s hotels, private members’ clubs, restaurants, and bars in importing the world’s most popular beverages.
Throughout a glitzy afternoon, each bartender was tasked to craft and present two classic cocktails using Nikka Whisky, Dimplomático Rum, or Tito’s Vodka. The mixologists gave their interpretation for each classic cocktail on the theme of a ‘Twist on Tradition’, infusing their personal flair within each libation.
The 10 finalists had only five minutes to set up their bar, 10 minutes to present their two cocktails to the judges, and two minutes to answer questions from the judges, testing the bartenders’ agility, detail, presentation, and creativity.
Eagle-eyed and critical, with refreshing balance, the judges scored each cocktail based on four criteria: taste & appearance, worth 40 points; bar skills, 20 points; personal expression, 20 points; and brand knowledge, 20 points.
The 20-year industry veteran Edward Read, the general manager of Typhoon Hospitality, responsible for developing luxury restaurant and bar concepts and overseeing luxury hotels and private members’ clubs, was joined by Charmaine Mok, Deputy Culture Editor of SCMP, John Ng, Academy Chair of Asia’s 50 Best Bars, and Jay Machiewicz, Director of Sales of METABEV.
The Nikka Whisky Award for the most creative was awarded to Ying Leung, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, the Vice Championship Master Shaker 2025 was awarded to Subir Limbu, The American Club, and the Championship Master Shaker 2025 was awarded to Smith Mok, The Hong Kong Jockey Club.
The Master Shaker 2025 conceived a cocktail competition with grand potential to platform industry players working in the city’s private members’ clubs and promote METABEV’s superior repertoire of fine global spirits.
The competition brought great exposure for the finalists and great impact in the Hong Kong bar scene, raising standards across the board. All eyes are placed on the next edition to uplift young voices in the drinks industry.
This feature was brought to Foodie in partnership with Typhoon Hospitality.
