Beefeater MIXLDN winner announced

Bartender Maxim Schulte has been crowned the champion of the Beefeater MIXLDN cocktail competition following an intense four-day showdown in London.

Maxim Schulte with his winning Stack of Fortune cocktail

Representing Hong Kong and Macau, Schulte won the coveted title at the seventh annual Beefeater MIXLDN competition, fending off completion from 30 finalists from across the globe.

Schulte’s winning Stack of Fortune cocktail impressed judges including Difford’s Guide editor Simon Difford and Ryan Chetiyawardana of Dandelyan.

His colourful cocktail blends Beefeater 24, fresh lime, white Crème de Cacao, homemade bitter orange blossom sherbet, orange bitters and fresh mint.

Schulte will now work with beefeater’s longtime master distiller, Desmond Payne MBE, to create his own gin at the distillery in Kennington.

“Being named champion is a real honour and a highlight in my career. Every bartender wants to show what they can do in terms of cocktail making as an art form and Beefeater MIXLDN really allowed me to do that,” Schulte said.

“Stack of Fortune was inspired by Macau’s reputation as the Las Vegas of Asia and it’s certainly bought me good luck. I’ve got some ideas up my sleeve for my limited-edition gin and I’m looking forward to being able to learn from a legend like Desmond Payne,” he added.

“This year’s Beefeater MIXLDN experience has hugely impressed me. The creativity among bartenders today is second to none and reflects the broader trend we’re seeing that every cocktail has its own story,” Payne said.

“Passion like this continues to drive the industry forward and the profession of bartending is being seen in a new light. I congratulate Maxim for being in the vanguard of this movement that has flourished in my 50 years. He has set the bar high for next year’s competition,” he added.