Edinburgh’s West End received a new addition last month, The Voyage of Buck promises to deliver delicious seasonal cocktails in a stunning setting. The bar is headed by Mike McGinty, who was tasked with creating the initial tome of cocktails which takes guests on an epicurean expedition around the globe.
Mike has been flexing his ‘cocktail muscles’ in this year’s UK Patrón Perfectionist championship. Having won the Scotland regional final in September, he will face the best of the best of bar tending talent from in and around the UK on the 16th November.
We decided to catch up with him before he makes the trip to the London final to discover the secret of his award winning concoctions.
The Patrón Perfectionist challenges entrants to create a cocktail using one of the three Patrón Tequilas; the drink must encapsulate attention to detail and a commitment to absolute perfection. The hallmarks of Patrón tequila!
The Bell of Jalisco
The Yellow Pepper Sour is Mike’s winning creation; he took his inspiration from the time it takes to make Patrón Tequila. From processing, harvesting, distilling and ageing it’s a complicated and time consuming process – the ingredients Mike uses acknowledges the efforts of the people involved in making Patrón.
Patrón Reposado is the middle aged tequila from Patrón. Mike chose yellow pepper – the middle strength of three chilli peppers to connect with the savoury flavour of the spirit. To balance the drink he adds Camomile Infused Dry Vermouth and a touch of lemon juice. Finally he has made a smoked sea salt and yellow pepper and sherry vinegar shrub syrup (which takes around a month to mature) to balance the flavours out.
The result is a spicy but smooth cocktail ideal for sipping, absolute perfection
If you want to discover more of Mike’s cocktail making skills head along to Voyage of Buck 29-31 William St N E Lane, Edinburgh.
