A Glasgow bartender has scooped a top award by wowing at a cocktail competition. 

Grant Coffield, who plys his trade at the highly rated Tabac in Glasgow’s Merchant City, faced off against six other competitors at the In-Drinks Bartenders Cocktail Competition which was held SEC Glasgow recently. 

He took home the top prize of £1,000, as well as a tailor made HIT Scotland scholarship to support his further development within the drinks industry. HIT is the largest hospitality charity in Scotland and its "money can't buy" bespoke scholarships are highly sought after.

 

Glasgow Times: Winning against six rival competitors at the SEC Glasgow, Grant Coffield from Tabac in Glasgow’s

Grant’s entry, the Glesga Lassi, shot to first place with its “fantastic story and drink that tied back to the ingredients and provenance of Hoxton Spirits”, according to Hoxton Spirits founder Gerry Calabrese. 

Grant said: “The competition was great.

“With such a tough selection process, every finalist was very talented and by the end of the day, I really couldn't guess who might win. There were no mistakes, no hiccups, and every cocktail was top-notch. To have won means a lot but I know it was extremely close.

"Hoxton Spirits ethos is very much about community, so I chose to make my drink to honour the South Asian community of Glasgow. They carved their way into our common culture, in a very big way, showcasing the flavours and dishes of the entire Indian subcontinent. 

“The community’s ability to take a multitude of various complex aromatic ingredients and balance them so well, has always inspired me. Hoxton Tropical Gin was therefore the perfect option, as it really mirrors this flavourful combination while also sharing the rich flavours of South Asia.”

Grant added: “If you really want to make great drinks, you have to experiment often, know your ingredients, practice and follow your ideas and most importantly, don't take it personally when you fail - because you will fail.

“Competitions are a great way to test yourself and learn. It is nerve wracking and can be exhausting, but you will meet the others in the country and the world, who are just as driven as you, and that's usually worth it in itself.”

The winning cocktail, which featured Hoxton Tropical Gin paired with Cardamom Yoghurt Liqueur, a curry leaf and mango cordial mixed with lime juice and a dash of saline solution, bringing together explosions of Asian-inspired flavour to create a truly unique winning entry.

Gerry said: “All of this year’s entries were exceptional. 

“There has been such a high standard of both creativity and talent throughout every competitor's creations that it was a hard choice to pick an overall winner, but Grant’s cocktail was definitely a show-stopper.

“It’s so pleasing to see such a level of talent on display which speaks volumes to the standards that are set in the UK bartending community. We have some of the best mixologists and bartenders in the world right here in our country and they’re making the industry proud.”

Josh Cormack, who bartends at the August House in Glasgow, was the runner up, using  Hoxton TropicalGin, Tapuy, Metzendorff Kümmel, Toasted Pineapple and Lemon juice in his drink, the Balderrie Bullet.