Running for the third year in a row, the competition saw seven finalists compete in front of a panel of judges with a Sydney-inspired cocktail in the theme of “Endless Summer” using any of our Sydney Brewery ciders. Daniel Hilton of The Lobo Plantation in Sydney took out the first prize with his cocktail “Surry Hills Fizz”, a riff on the Ramos Gin Fizz made with Manly Perry, rye whiskey, elderflower liqueur, clarified lemon apple sherbet, cream and egg white.

Ben Hunter of Mjolner in Sydney came in second place with his cocktail “Mungo Jerry” using Agave Ginger Cider with white rum, pineapple, lime & orgeat sorbet, chilli and coconut cream and orange bitters. The third spot was awarded to Tua Fatongiatau of the newly-opened Corretto Dee Why for his cocktail “Gingerlicious” made with Agave Ginger Cider with spiced rum, Poire Williams, charred lemon juice, apple and ginger puree and salted caramel syrup.

The judges, Ben Davidson (Bespoke Drinks), Dan Noble (Old Mate’s Place), Corinne Mossati (Cocktails & Bars, Gourmantic) and event organiser Richard Feyn were highly impressed with the calibre of the entries and the diversity of the spirits and modifiers chosen to complement the various ciders.

The winner, Daniel Hilton will be enjoying one night’s accommodation for two at Rydges Sydney Central, a tour and tasting at our new Sydney Brewery Surry Hills, dinner for two at Sydney Brewery Surry Hills including Sydney Brewery drinks, and 10 cartons of Sydney Brewery products of his choice – a total prize value of $1200.

Second place winner Ben Hunter has won 10 cartons of any Sydney Brewery products valued at $700, while Tua Fatongiatau will be taking home 5 cartons of Sydney Brewery products of his choice valued at $350.

Here’s the winning cocktail recipe of the 2019 Sydney Cider Cocktail Competition:

“Surry Hills Fizz” Cocktail Recipe

Recipe by Daniel Hilton of The Lobo Plantation

Ingredients

• 30ml Rye Whiskey
• 10ml St-Germain elderflower liqueur
• 30ml clarified lemon apple sherbet
• 70ml Sydney Brewery Manly Perry
• 20ml cream
• 15ml egg white

Glassware: highball
Garnish: edible flowers

Method

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with the exception of the Sydney Brewery Manly Perry and dry shake. Add ice and shake hard for a long time. Double strain into a chilled highball glass and top with Manly Perry. Garnish with edible flowers.

Photos of the event can be viewed here.

In partnership with Cocktails & Bars.

Photo credit: Ella Miley

The finals of the Sydney Cider Cocktail Competition 2018 were held on Monday 23rd Aril at The Cidery Bar in World Square, Sydney.

L-R: Nicola Morra, Natalie Ng, Daniel Noble

Eight finalists competed in front of a panel of judges with a Sydney-inspired cocktail using any of our Sydney Brewery Ciders and an Australian native ingredient. Daniel Noble of the soon-to-open Old Mates Place bar in Sydney took out the first prize with his cocktail, “Easy Like a Cider Morning”, a winning combination of Calvados with Sydney Cider, Agave & Ginger Cider reduction, Australian bush honey with cloves, lime juice and Hellfire bitters.

Natalie Ng of Door Knock in Sydney came in second place with with her cocktail “Proud To Be A Sydney Cider” using Sydney Cider with The Westwinds Cutlass Gin, Native Caper/ Wild Orange Cordial, citrus and lemon mrytle and sea salt spray. The third spot was awarded to Nicola Morra of Grasshopper Bar for his cocktail, “My Fizz Mate” using Manly Perry Cider with rum, fig liqueur, lime juice, pandan and lemon myrtle syrup.

The judges, Ben Davidson (Bespoke Drinks), Max Greco (Vasco Bar), Corinne Mossati (Cocktails & Bars, Gourmantic) and Richard Feyn (Sydney Brewery) were highly impressed with the calibre of the entries and the diversity of the spirits chosen to complement the various ciders.

The winner, Daniel Noble will be enjoying one night’s accommodation for two at Rydges Sydney Central, a tour of the our new Sydney Brewery, dinner for two at Rydges Sydney Central including Sydney Brewery drinks, and 10 cartons of Sydney Brewery products of his choice – a total prize value of $1200.

Second place winner Natalie Ng has won 10 cartons of any Sydney Brewery products valued at $700, while Nicola Morra will be taking home 5 cartons of Sydney Brewery products of his choice valued at $350.

Here’s the winning cocktail recipe of the 2018 Sydney Cider Cocktail Competition:

“Easy Like a Cider Morning” Cocktail Recipe

Recipe by Daniel Noble of Old Mate’s Place, Sydney (opening soon)

Ingredients

• 45 ml Calvados
• 20 ml lime juice
• 15 ml Agave & Ginger Cider reduction
• 7 ml native Australian bush honey with clove
• 1 drop Hellfire bitters
• 90 ml Sydney Cider

Glassware: coupette
Garnish: sea salt rim

Method

Rim coupette with western Australian sea salt. Add the Calvados, lime juice, Agave & Ginger Cider reduction, honey and bitters into a toby tin with ice. Shake and fine strain into a chilled coupette and top with Sydney Cider.

Daniel Noble’s winning cocktail ‘Easy like a Cider morning’

In media partnership with Cocktails & Bars.

Written by: Corinne Mossati

Photo Credit: Ella Miley

Come up with a recipe using one of our beers or ciders, post recipe on Sydney Brewery Facebook or Instagram page (with image including product) and you could win first prize of a weekend for two at The Hunter Valley.
With accommodation at our luxurious Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley, including Lovedale Brewery tour, game of golf and tour of our adjacent JADE Estate Vineyard, a fun weekend is assured.
So get cooking, finalists announced end of September and great runner-up prizes to be announced too!
Go to ‘Locations’ for a full list of retail outlets or to buy direct, and see some of last year’s entries on ‘Recipes’ tab.

Well we had a such great event last night and in what could be unprecented for cocktail comps, we had a dead heat for first place!

Congratulations to joint winners above Jonothan Carr from Kittyhawk with his ‘Royal Summer’ and Kurtis Bosley from Public House management Group with his ‘Isaac’s Reasoning’.

Congrats also to runners up above Jordan Grocock and Dula Lorenzo, their cocktails and recipes also to be added soon, along with the other finalists and entries; a big thanks to all of you!

Finally for now, thanks to The Cidery Bar & Kitchen management and staff for looking after us so well and to our Judges Ben Davidson, Igor Pachi and Chris ‘lion’ Wheeler for giving up their time and helping to make our inaugural Sydney Cider Cocktail Comp Final so successful!