The fourth annual Absolut Invite 2015 involving 14 carefully selected bartenders from Slovakia and the Czech Republic, verified the creativity, theoretical knowledge and skills of the masters behind the bar.

The fourth annual Absolut Invite 2015 involving 14 carefully selected bartenders from Slovakia and the Czech Republic, verified the creativity, theoretical knowledge and skills of the masters behind the bar. The honorable bartenders’ craft reigned over new drinks containing super premium vodka Absolut Elyx.

For two days, at an altitude of 1670 meters at the foot of Chopok in the restaurant Von Roll in Jasná, 14 carefully selected bartenders competed, the theme of Craft present throughout the whole competition. The winner was decided by a 4-member jury composed of Absolut brand manager Zuzana Benková, Fou Zoo restaurant”s chef Michal Konrád, brand ambassador of Pernod Ricard Ľuboš Rácz and the winner of Absolut Invite 2013 Martin Hudák, who currently works in the exclusive bar of the Savoy Hotel in London.

In the worldwide finals in Sweden, Slovakia will be represented by 24-year-old Matej Výboch from Zahir Coffee & Drinks in Nitra, who impressed the jury with his knowledge as well as the originality, taste and presentation of his drink, named Odin Elyx. “My drink is inspired by Norse mythology, to which I also adapted the service. It combines history with the present, tradition and the modern character of the drink,” revealed the happy Slovak winner. He was also complimented by Vítězslav Ciroch from the Prague bar L”Fleur – winner of the Czech national round. “Matej made the most interesting drink I”ve had the opportunity to taste over the past six months.”

Both of them are looking forward to presenting their skills at the world level in Sweden. The Absolut Invite competition is in fact different from others; it does not only check the bartenders” brand awareness, their knowledge of history and recipes of classic cocktails, but also their language skills and creativity in linking super premium Absolut Elyx with those most interesting ingredients in unique cocktails!

Prepare the winning Odin Elyx:
5 cl Absolut Elyx
2 cl Sandeman dry sherry
2,5cl violet liqueur (homemade)
3cl honey water (homemade)