First International Olmeca Margarita Contest Winner Announced

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Jun 09, 2010, 09:00 ET

MEXICO CITY, June 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Kurt Schlechter from South Africa has been announced as the winner of the first international Olmeca Margarita Contest by the Tahona Society. My Friends Margarita was selected by a team of expert judges, including: Tomas Estes, European Ambassador for Tequila; Henry Besant, top international bartender and Olmeca Altos co-creator; Jesus Hernandez, Master Distiller at the Olmeca distillery, and Alberto Navarro, Olmeca's International Head of Brand Education. Fire Tahona Margarita by Raymundo Cazarin from Mexico won second place, Frida Margarita by Seyran Gevorkyan from Russia was third.

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Finalists were selected after winning previous local Tahona Society heats in UK, Mexico, South Africa, Turkey, Ukraine and Russia. Kurt's recipe was chosen because of its clever fusion of Mexican and South African ingredients, and unique and refreshing taste. His prize is a trip to New York, where he will be given the opportunity to serve his winning cocktail at the legendary Mayahuel bar, before meeting influential people from across the US Tequila industry.

Tahona Society is a global community of passionate and professional bartenders and the objective of the contest is to strengthen the existing bonds between these members. It also aims to support the best talent from within the community, helping them further their international careers.

My Friends Margarita

Glass:
Rocks glass, homemade naartje/cinnamon salt lip

Method:
Muddle entire orange slice in mixing glass, add remaining ingredients, shake with ice, double strain over ice.

Ingredients:
Orange slice
5 raspberries
2 parts Olmeca Altos Reposado
1 whole squeezed lime
3/4 shot Cointreau

Garnish:
Pineapple leaves to imitate Agave, naartje/cinnamon salt

Side:
Shot glass with slithers of Jicama, dipped in naartje/cinnamon salt

Nose:
Spray Olmeca Altos Reposado/Agave Syrup mix over drink (avoid salt lip)

About Olmeca:

Olmeca is the original Tequila brand in Pernod Ricard's international spirits portfolio, with high quality premium Tequilas including Olmeca, Olmeca Altos and Olmeca Tezon. Available in over 80 countries, today Olmeca is ranked as the No. 1 Tequila in EMEA (Europe/Middle-East/Africa), the No. 2 Tequila outside of North America and the No. 4 Tequila worldwide, in terms of value. Olmeca Tequilas are produced using the authentic Tahona method, and are exclusively produced at our own distillery in Los Altos region of western-central Mexico. Los Altos is recognised as the world's premier Agave region, with the resulting Tequila possessing a fuller, smoother taste.

For more information and photos, contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Pernod Ricard