Team USA named best vodka cocktail bartenders in the world by 42BELOW’s judges.

Despite being the host nation for the 42BELOW Cocktail World Cup, New Zealand has never won it. This year, a respectable third placing went to Team New Zealand for “42 Cuba St”, which contained 42BELOW Manuka Honey, chocolate and decanter bitters, a spray of gunpowder and over-proof rums. Team members Josh Crawford, Calem Chadwick and James Goggin used a never-before-seen technique called ‘flazing’ to aerate their drink using dry ice.

From more than 2000 competing bartenders around the world, 24 individuals from seven countries made it downunder for the finals of the 42BELOW Cocktail World Cup. Held over five days, the competition comprised a series of challenges in Queenstown and Wellington. The Grand Final event in Wellington saw the Team USA trio of Mark Stoddard, Todd Thrasher and Sean Hoard emerge as winners with their cocktail “I have too much thyme on my hands right now at this point in my life”. They were followed by Team France in second place with “Le Rendez-Vous”. Judges commended Team USA for their level of performance and presentation.

You can meet the teams and feel the drama on 42BELOW’s YouTube channel, 42belowvodka.