WA’s Best Cocktail is revealed!
The 2024 AHA & Don Julio WA’s Best Cocktail has been awarded to the “Père Julio” from L’Chaim at The Old Synagogue in Fremantle.
In an exciting live mix-off staged at the 2024 AHA Hospitality Expo on Tuesday 25 June, four finalists – selected by public vote — went head-to-head in the second annual WA’s Best Cocktail competition.
The winning “Père Julio” cocktail was made by bar manager Guillaume Bossuet (pictured above left, with AHA(WA) CEO Bradley Woods) using tequila, mezcal-infused pear, fresh lemon juice, red wine syrup and two drops of saline solution, topped off with a red wine foam. It was served in a coupe glass and garnished with dried pear.
The panel of three judges – AHA(CEO) Bradley Woods, Diageo’s Caroline Meagher and Bertie bar owner James Connolly – assessed the taste, aesthetic, authenticity/creativity and the story behind each cocktail. The judges singled out L’Chaim’s “Père Julio” for its surprise flavour pairing, complexity and richness.
Guillaume Bossuet – L’Chaime at The Old Synagogue in Fremantle – “Père Julio”
Photo album can be viewed here.
The team at L’Chaim received a trophy, bragging rights and four tickets to see comedian Trevor Noah live at RAC Arena’s corporate box, inclusive of premium beverages and food courtesy of RAC Arena and the AHA. The prize is valued at $4,000.
COMPETITION RULES
This is how the competition worked:
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- One cocktail per venue submitted.
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- For the purpose of the competition, a cocktail is defined as a mixed drink incorporating one of the following bases mixed with other ingredients such as juices, flavoured syrups, tonic water, shrubs, bitters, etc.
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- The cocktail can contain:
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- Any single spirit
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- Any combination of spirits
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- a Non-Alcoholic Spirit Equivalent
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- A maximum of the equivalent of two standard drinks per serve.
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- The cocktail can contain:
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- The cocktail must be available and its composition remain the same throughout the competition period.
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- Any marketing by the participating venues must not depict or encourage irresponsible service or consumption of alcohol or contravene any WA liquor laws or guidelines. This includes ensuring the naming conventions of any cocktail remain appropriate.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
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- Eligible venues self-nominated their cocktail for free online
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- Nominated cocktails promoted via each venue (social media platforms, in-venue), while the competition publicly promoted by the AHA and Diageo.
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- Cocktail finalists determined using a combination of public votes and mystery judge visits to determine four finalists from across WA.
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- Finalists invited to compete in a live mix-off at the 2024 AHA Hospitality Expo on Tuesday, 25 June 2024, recreating their cocktail on stage and explaining the story behind each.
JUDGING CRITERIA
The four finalists were judged using the following criteria:
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- Taste (30 points) – Taste, appeal, balance of flavour and aroma, harmony between the ingredients, mouthfeel, and finish.
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- Aesthetic (20 points) – How the cocktail presents visually.
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- Authenticity/Creativity (20 points) – Considering the ingredients, garnish, ice or glassware.
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- Narrative (15 points) – The story behind the cocktail or a connection to the venue or to the state.
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- Promotion/Price (15 points) – How the cocktail was promoted and price point.
Total = 100 Points