Bartender Lauren McKenna of Libre in Palmerston North has been selected as one of 15 global finalists in a competition with gin brand Hayman’s and Difford’s Guide.

Hayman’s The Original Competition challenged bartenders from around the world to create cocktails using Hayman’s that home cocktail enthusiasts could make. Cocktails needed to contain easily available ingredients and nothing that needed to be pre-combined.

Lauren describes her cocktail, Peach Treaty, as: “…a riff on a levelled-up peach gin sour.” It will be prepared by a Hayman’s Ambassador for the live final at the Hayman’s Distillery in London on 1 July with the winner announced the following day.

The winner will receive $2,000 and an all-expenses-paid trip to the Hayman’s Distillery. The two runners-up will each be awarded $1,000.