Hobart bartenders make the cut for top 100 nationwide

Four of Tasmania’s master mixologists have made it to the top 100 in Australia in a global competition. Watch what one recommend for a top drop to make at home.

An “advanced cocktail culture” in Tasmania is responsible for producing four of the nation’s top 100 bartenders vying to compete for title of World Class Bartender.

Four Hobart bartenders beat thousands of Australian entries to make the cut, with bartender for The Den and Macq01 Mateo Ortiz crowned among the state’s best mixologist offerings alongside the new owners of Hobart’s Rude Boy Khayla Massie, Rohan Massie, and Jack Turner.

Mr Ortiz said he was honoured to be part of the talented Tasmanian field who were testament to the “incredible talent and passion” in the bartending community.

Mateo Ortiz makes a Manhattan at The Den Salamanca. Picture: Chris Kidd

“There is so much connection to produce and local products and it’s a big focus for people,” he said.

“I have worked in Melbourne as well and the bartending community is bigger in Tasmania than I think people realise.”

Mr Ortiz has entered himself in the past few years of the 15-year long competition and has seen the growth of the state and its entrants among Australia’s ambitious bartending scene.

Mr Ortiz used his combined 10 years of bartending expertise to work through the rigorous competition, including cocktail-crafting challenges and test on presentation and knowledge of skills.

The ‘La Vecindad’ cocktail, meaning ‘neighbourhood’ in Spanish, was Mr Ortiz’s tribute to his hometown in Colombia as well as his new home of Tasmania – a blend of Don Julio Blanco tequila, wild apple soda and Tasmanian gum cordial.