Nitro Cocktail Bar Hamilton
As the only bar in New Zealand dedicated to making cocktails with liquid nitrogen, Nitro has conjured up a place as one of three finalists for the 'De Kuyper Masters Of Mixology'.
Located at the North end south of Victoria Street, bartenders turn alcoholic beverages into a sorbet consistency using nitrogen.
Owner of Nitro Cocktail Bar, Karai Wall is the intellect behind the popular bar and the 'Black Widow' cocktail, which conquered the upper north island in the competition.
Karai has traveled extensively for bar competitions when he was younger, his specialty was flair bar tending, he learnt from the best in the world.
He won three New Zealand titles which gave him trips overseas, its here he learnt about Nitro Cocktails.
"In the States and Europe it was popular. The idea originates from top chefs who used Nitrogen to make desserts, so we thought why cant we do it with alcohol, and it worked"
He came up with the winning cocktail in just three minutes, he laughs.
It uses sour apple with tequila, he then adds the liquid nitrogen, fresh limes and apple juice, making a sorbet.
They have also created a garnish using De Kuyper butterscotch with spun sugar, it turns into a web, a technique chiefs use to make desserts.
"Then in our own special way, we make what we call 'caviar' with black raspberry liquor, the cocktail looks like a spider's nest with eggs on top of it." He said.
"We bet a lot of top bars in Auckland. So that was really great,"
The second part of the competition was on Friday the 13th, a themed party that introduces four other cocktails.
The Iron man bowl, kick ass shot, hulk teapot and the poison ivy sangria.
"We are really trying to promote our point of difference with the liquid nitrogen in all the cocktails. Our aim is to give them the Nitro experience."
It is nearly ten years since Karai has competed in top line competitions.
"It's a good feeling, to get on in the industry, but your experience can count for a lot."
The emphasis for competition is a team effort; the team will all be working hard to win the title, which sees a trip to the Sydney bar show is the prize.
"I am confident and I like the fact that we are not trying to change what we already do at nitro. We are incorporating what is already an experience when you come to nitro every night."
By Shannon Rolfe