A Copenhagen, please!

New York has its Manhattan, Singapore its Gin Sling and Venice its Bellini. On Thursday 20 August at FIRST Hotel Skt. Petri, Copenhagen too will have its own cocktail - a Copenhagen.

Five of Denmark's best bartenders will compete to create Copenhagen's official cocktail. A qualified panel of Danish and international cocktail critics and celebrities, as well as the audience, will choose the cocktail, which hereafter will be internationally known as a Copenhagen. In addition, maker of Cherry Heering liqueur, Peter F. Heering ApS., will promote it as their new signature drink alongside the Singapore Sling.

Cocktails in the spirit of the age
Copenhagen has long been known as a beer-drinking city, but that picture has changed. In recent years the city has been mentioned in international media as a hip and trendy metropolis. In 2008 Copenhagen was proclaimed the "Most livable city" by British design magazine Monocle.

- Copenhagen is associated with a relaxed lifestyle, unique design and high quality. In addition, people have begun to go out more. The 40s are the new 30s, and the 30s are the new 20's. And right now Copenhagen is experiencing a boom in the number of dedicated cocktail bars of international standard, says Project Manager Malene Schrøder, Wonderful Copenhagen CVB.

What the bartenders say
In Copenhagen's cocktail bars, there are various opinions on how a Copenhagen should look and taste.

- If Copenhagen is to succeed in becoming a world-famous cocktail, it must be both delicious and simple so that it can be made worldwide. In my mind it would consist of what are known as iconic Danish products. And it needs to have a good story behind it, says bartender Nick Kobbernagel from cocktail bar Ruby, which won the titles Best Cocktail Menu and Best New Cocktail Bar at Tales of the Cocktail 2008 Spirit Awards.

At the cocktail bar The Office, British owner and bartender Paul Muldowney says that a Copenhagen should be inspired by Danish design, which for him means crisp, clean, simple and strong, without too many colours.

Exclusive party
The election of the Copenhagen Cocktail marks the beginning of the Nordic food festival Copenhagen Cooking and takes place at an exclusive cocktail event on Thursday 20 August at FIRST Hotel Skt. Petri in Copenhagen.

The evening offers lounge music, prominent guests, a welcome drink, hors deuvres, lots of cocktails and a Sex and the City-style party.

- Cocktails, partying and style go together. Therefore, we have arranged an evening that is the new cocktail worthy, says Project Manager Malene Schrøder, Wonderful Copenhagen CVB.

Host of the evening is:

• Camilla Ottesen - Danish TV host

The five competing bartenders are:

• Paul Muldowney - The Office
• Nikolaj Brøndsted - Mash
• Gromit Eduardsen - 1105
• Nick Koppernagel - Ruby
• Kirsten Neergaard Holm - K-bar

The panel consists of:

• Philip Duff - Consultant and owner of Door 74 in Amsterdam, which was nominated Best cocktail bar at Tales of the Cocktail 2009 Spirit Awards
• Jörgen Tilander - Director and owner of cherry liqueur producer Peter F. Heering ApS.
• Hella Joof - Danish actress, film director and comedian
• Kristian Brask Thomsen - Social connector with emphasis on food, beverage and PR

The name of one more judge will follow. A number of prominent and famous guests have been invited. A limited number of tickets have been distributed through competitions and sold to the public.

Copenhagen Cocktail is arranged by Wonderful Copenhagen CVB in cooperation with Peter F. Heering ApS./Maxxium, FIRST Hotel Skt. Petri, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) and TeleTech Conference Communication.

For more information, please contact:
Project Manager Frederikke Møller Kristiansen, Press
Wonderful Copenhagen CVB
Tel.: +45 3355 7432
Email: fmk@woco.dk
Read more at www.copenhagencocktail.com