A BELFAST barman has been selected as having created the best margarita in Ireland when he travelled to Dublin last week to compete in the Taste of Mexico Margarita Challenge.
Conor Brennan, 27, a barman at Birdcage restaurant in Stranmillis, joined the finest of Ireland’s bartenders in famed Dublin drinking den Lillies Bordello where they were tasked with taking on a classic cocktail and giving it their own stamp.
After intense selection rounds, Conor was picked to compete on stage in the grand final against five other competitors using the world’s most famous tequila, Jose Cuervo creating twist on the original classic margarita.
The winning concoction was named, ‘Somewhere Between Nowhere and Goodbye’, based on the theme of love lost and found.
The judges scored Conor on top with 27/30 marks based on creativity, taste and originality.
The winning cocktail consisted of:
50ml Jose Cuervo Agavero Tequila Liqueur
25ml freshly squeezed lime juice
15ml fresh pomegranate syrup
5ml agave
5ml Rioja
2 coins of fresh ginger
Conor said: “I was a little bit nervous competing but charmed the judges with my Belfast craic serving them up a shot of tequila before letting them taste my creation. I’m really chuffed to have won”.
Conor picked up an all-inclusive two-week trip to Mexico City and Cancun as his prize.
The award winning cocktail is now on sale at Birdcage in Stranmillis priced at £6.95.