Summer called for slushies, and London’s top bartending talent certainly understood the assignment. At Cocktails in the City, six shortlist finalists stepped behind a two-chamber slushie machine to battle it out in The Great Cocktail Collider Competition—a high-energy challenge to reinvent the iconic Miami Vice by layering two classic cocktails into one frozen serve using Moët Hennessy spirits.
Judged by fellow festival bartenders across three days on creativity, flavour balance, storytelling, and frozen execution, the scores are officially in.
Here are the top three winning serves that stole the show:
1st Place: Supernova by Lorenzo Gavelli (Disrepute)
- Overall Score: 549 points
- The Inspiration: Inspired by the philosophy of yin and yang, bringing two opposing forces together into perfect harmony.
- The Collision: A striking clash of the Sgroppino and Black Velvet. The white side layers Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial Champagne, St. Germain, elderflower cordial, and fresh lemon, while the dark side packs a punch with Ardbeg Wee Beastie single malt whisky, Guinness Draught, Italian chocolate liqueur, and vanilla.
2nd Place: The Yorkshire Vice by Aidan Margetts (Disrepute)
- Overall Score: 532 points
- The Inspiration: A neon homage to West Yorkshire’s Rhubarb Triangle, pairing tart candlelit forced rhubarb with rich vanilla custard—a nod to classic Northern school-dinner puddings.
- The Collision: A Strawberry Daiquiri meets Piña Colada twist. One side pairs a Rhubarb Margarita featuring Volcan de Mi Tierra Blanco Tequila, Campari, and strawberry, offset by a creamy Apple & Custard Colada crafted with Calvados, apple juice, and vanilla custard.
3rd Place: Cosmo-Colada by BLOODSPORTS by MEATliquor
- Overall Score: 520.5 points
- The Inspiration: Two frozen cocktail legends crashing together for pure crowd-pleasing hedonism.
- The Collision: A Cosmopolitan meets a Piña Colada. The vibrant pink layer features Belvedere Vodka, cranberry, lime, and orange liqueur, layered over a luscious yellow base of Eminente Cuban Rum, pineapple, coconut, and lime.
The Remaining Finalist Lineup
- The Garibaldi Sunrise by Josh Hall (Hidden Grooves)
- Doble Vida by Oliver Lambert (1910 Cantina)
- Corner Shop Classic by Tait Kirk (The Bottle Cocktail Shop)
Massive congratulations to Lorenzo Gavelli for taking home the £250 cash prize, the Ninja Slushie Machine, and serious industry bragging rights!
