First Edition of "Best Hotel Bar Cocktail by The Gardener" - The Mediterranean Sour cocktail by Victor Morante Urdangarín, chef barman from the Cap Vermell Grand Hotel in Mallorca (Spain) named "Best Hotel Bar Cocktail by The Gardener"
The final for the title of "Best Hotel Bar Cocktail by The Gardener", organised by French gin brand The Gardener handcrafted by Brad Pitt, Tom Nichol and the Perrin family, took place on Wednesday 13 November at the iconic Hôtel Carlton Cannes on the French Riviera. The winner is the Mediterranean Sour cocktail by Víctor Morante Urdangarín representing the Cap Vermell Grand Hotel in Mallorca.
A selection of Spain's most prestigious hotel bars took part in this high-calibre competition to create a new and original cocktail classic to celebrate The Gardener Gin. The four finalists, selected for their creativity, taste and the unique signature of their cocktail, represented hotels from 4 regions of Spain:
Nidia Hernández Carbonell and her Roses cocktail, representing the Finca Cortesin Hotel Golf and Spa in Casares, Andalusia.
Ricardo Henríquez and his French Garden cocktail, representing the Barcelona Princess in Barcelona.
Duncan Quinlan Gallego and his Check-In cocktail, representing the Four Seasons in Madrid.
Víctor Morante Urdangarín and his Mediterranean Sour cocktail, representing the Cap Vermell Grand Hotel in Mallorca.
All the contenders demonstrated remarkable skill and creativity in the conception of their cocktails, designed to showcase The Gardener organic gin and emphasize its origins in the South of France, with its fresh citrus.
The final took place at Carlton Cannes on the French Riviera, a symbolic venue that firmly roots the competition in the very region that inspired The Gardener Gin.
Víctor Morante Urdangarín, representing the Cap Vermell Grand Hotel in Mallorca, won over the judges* with his Mediterranean Sour cocktail, which mixes The Gardener Gin with bergamot liqueur, local mandarin juice, sage, thyme and a hint of orange blossom water.
" Víctor Morante Urdangarín wowed us with his Mediterranean Sour cocktail, the perfect showcase for The Gardener Gin. He perfectly captured the essence of our Gin and its French Riviera heritage, elevating it with his remarkable talent and extraordinary creativity. We also offer our heartfelt congratulations to all the entrants in this first edition of the "Best Hotel Bar Cocktail by The Gardener" competition. Their mixology skills were truly dazzling."
Matthieu Perrin, co-founder of The Gardener
"For me, it was an amazing experience and a fabulous opportunity. To travel, to meet colleagues and to show what you can do when you pair an excellent global product with a local ingredient. A very enriching experience all round."
Víctor Morante Urdangarín
The first edition of the "Best Hotel Bar Cocktail by The Gardener" competition was held in Spain. After this successful debut, a second edition is confirmed for Spain in 2025, with plans for competitions in other countries in the near future.
*JUDGING PANEL: • Matthieu Perrin, co-founder of The Gardener • Quentin Aubert, head barman at the Hôtel Carlton in Cannes • Laura Sánchez Lara, journalist and sommelier
ABOUT THE GARDENER GIN The Gardener Gin is a tribute to the French Riviera, its unique art-de-vivre and extraordinarily rich biodiversity. Handcrafted by Brad Pitt, the Perrin family and the gin legend, master distiller Tom Nichol, our gin is made in France, 100% organic certified and distilled with fresh citruses grown in Provence. Refreshing and elegant, well-balanced between juniper, orange and grapefruit notes, The Gardener is to be enjoyed neat as well as in classic and modern cocktails.
