A night for the coffee & bartending community to catch up with a touch of coffee in good spirits thrown in. This is a limited ticket event for competitors to encourage responsible cocktail drinking. First in first served, so get your ticket to compete now!

Spectator tickets are free for supporters of the NZSCA and New Zealand coffee community. Come along and join the festive celebrations! Here is the link for free spectator tickets>

RULES:

You select your coffee and spirits for use on the night. With them, the Competitors will need to bring with everything they need to create their cocktails, two cocktails will be made in each round.

The warm and cold drink has an elective choice of espresso, filter or any brew method of choice, minimum 30ml in each drink. You may also use pre-prepared cold brew etc in your drinks.

You will prepare and present your two drinks to the three taste judges, some explanation of what the drink is and why it's delicious would be good here! No explanation needed while making. Maximum 30-second final explanation.

Use any method, complexity, and recipe. 10 min time from set up to serving in all rounds.

Judged loosely on three sections: tastiness/nerdiness /fire and flair. The overall drink impression is based on 'which one is the best?'

• First round: Competitors create a WARM Cocktail (filter or espresso)

• Second round: Competitors create a COLD Cocktail (filter or espresso)

• Final Round: Espresso Martini (espresso only). Competitors battle it out for the $1000 cash prize.

EQUIPMENT:

Stations: on each is one LM Mini espresso machine, one E65s Mahlkonig grinder, access to one EK grinder, one kettle, one ice bucket.

Tray with space for organisation prior in the backstage area.

Bring your own glassware, muddlers, mixers, stainless steel straws and costumes.

A briefing will be held at 4:00 pm to test grinders and set up your equipment etc. for the draw of competitors at 5:30 -ish. ALL COMPETITORS NEED TO BE PRESENT.

JUDGES:

Rounds have three taste judges and a head judge may be required if there are any clashes in which beverage tastes the best. The Head judges will assess the amount of coffee in each beverage.

Last round, the ultimate espresso martini round has three judges.

Thanks to our sponsors: Acme, La Marzocco, AMC Roastery Supply, Cameo Cafe Syrups and Garage Project.