42 BELOW Cocktail World Cup's UK Competitors Meet New Zealand Prime Minister - who inspires the driest ever martini

The 42 BELOW Cocktail World Cup competitors from the UK were welcomed today by New Zealands Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Helen Clarke at the opening of the 30th Winter Festival in Queenstown, New Zealand.

Auckland (PRWEB) June 27, 2004 -- The 42 BELOW Cocktail World Cup competitors were from the UK were welcomed today by New Zealands Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Helen Clarke at the opening of the 30th Winter Festival in Queenstown, New Zealand.

32 bartenders and international media from around the world converged today on the team based cocktail competition that will pit teams from the UK, USA, Australia, Canada and New Zealand against each other for the first time.

The bartenders found Ms Clarke inspiring. I am going to make the driest Martini in the world and call it a Helen Clarke," said Sam Jevesons from Match Bar, London (pictured left). Yeah, Maggie Thatcher had nothing on Helen," said Mark Drew from Salvador and Amanda, London (pictured right).

Helen Clarke expressed some doubt over the mixologists ability to make a cocktail while bungy jumping, a requirement in the lead up to the 42 Below Cocktail World Cup. I am into alpine pursuits, but you guys are mad," she said.

The bartenders meantime were debating whether it was possible to 'stir rather than 'shake the martini on the way down. Hosts 42 Below will be testing the competitors ability at cocktail making over the next few days, while jet boating, at the top of a mountain and while bungy

The extreme mixology competition proper will be held on the snow at 2pm, Monday 28th June on the side of the famous skiing mecca, Coronet Peak. Every team of three has to choose one cocktail to present (out of three) and a theme.

Drinks mixology has become a profession worldwide and the competition involves the Worlds best from the likes of Park, 9 ½ and 203 Spring St. lounge in New York; Le Bar in Chicago; Lolas in L.A.; The Prov in Boston, West and Raw Bar in Vancouver, Lounge Lover, K Bar, Match and the Electricity Showrooms in London; Moorish, Attic@Arthouse and Longrain in Sydney; Lychee Lounge in Brisbane; Ginger and Bambu in Melbourne; and New Zealands best as well.

For high resolution photos or further information please contact:
Scott Forrest
42 Below Ltd
Email:    sforrest@xtra.co.nz
Phone:   +64 27 2564024
Web:   www.42below.co.nz , click on Cocktail World Cup