October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. A month dedicated to raise awareness and money to support and fund breast cancer research. One out of four women is touched by the disease. Rhuby – the 100% natural rhubarb Liqueur from Sweden – has founded the Charity – Pink Your Drink – holding a female only cocktail competition each year in addition to many other activities to raise awareness and funds, Pink Your Drink is By women for women. In addition to the competition Rhuby works in collaboration with bars, restaurants and nightclubs during the month of October, offering ‘Pinked Drinks’ or ‘Pinked Menus’ where a part of the income is donated to breast cancer research. The founder of Rhuby, Ylva Binder, talks and arranges charity dinners and conferences actively during the entire month.
Pink Your Drink 2013 was held the 17th of October at Björk Bar, Courtyard by Marriott in Stockholm. Last year the competition was held during the London Cocktail week in collaboration with Raymond Blanc and his venue The London Cocktail Club, Shaftesbury Avenue.
8 finalists from across Sweden were selected by an international panel of bartenders and competed for the title as ‘Miss Rhuby 2013’.
The Finalists:
− Elina Lingman – The Ice Hotel, Jukkasjärvi
− Ida Kruth – Clarion Hotel, Östersund
− Moa Carlson – Barakademin & Radisson Blue Waterfront, Stockholm
− Sara Garsten – Restaurang Lokal, Stockholm
− Josefin Holmqvist – Urban Deli, Stockholm
− Sofie Larsson – Magic Bar, Stockholm
− Christel Möller – The company, Borås
− Karolina Forsbäck – Freelance, Strängnäs
All 8 contestants showed great skills & knowledge.
The girls competed in front of an esteemed panel of judges which included two of the most recognized distillers in the Swedish Spirits industry – Solveig Sommarström (V&S) and Angela D’Orazio (Mackmyra). In addition the panel held 2 key chief editors and 2 finalists from previous competition held in London – Elsa Holmberg and Jolene Cadwell..
Judging panel:
− Solveig Sommarström – Master blender Rhuby (Previously V&S )
− Angela Forsgren D’Orazio – Master distiller Mackmyra
− Mona Johansson – Chief editor Allt om Mat
− Annika Rådlund – Chief editor Hotell & Restaurang
− Jolene Cadwell – Bar manager Papaji’s England, Finalist 2012
− Elsa Holmberg – Bar manager Brass Monkey, England, Finalist 2012
After a close competition the selected winner – Sofie Larsson – owner of Magic bar -Stockholm. Sofie was celebrated winner at centre stage at the event Sinnen & Smak in front of 350 guests. The event was packed with Swedish celebrity chefs, Master of wines as the founder of Rhuby is keen to add the cocktail scene into this crowd, recognizing the skilful art of cocktail making.
The various cocktails made by Sofie showed good bar skills and a personal touch. Her cocktail ‘Miss Regina’ is dedicated to her close friend and Swedish actress Regina Lund who has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Miss Regina
3cl Rhuby
2cl Absolut kurant
Rhubarbs
Sugar
Russian tonic
Mix peeled Rhubarbs, Rhuby, Absolut Kurant and sugar in blender. Serve in whiskey glass with crushed ice and top up with Russian tonic. (Swedish pink grapefruit tonic – could be exchanged with the Fevertree Elderflower for a great taste)
Magic bar is the first restaurant in the northern countries with magic as speciality.
The winner was later celebrated at the nightclub Solidaritet in Stockholm – Stureplan. Solidaritet participated with ‘pinked menus’ throughout the weekend charging a premium for each ‘Pinked Drink’ where the income was donated to the Pink Ribbon.
