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Venezuelan rum producer Diplomático has named Katie Rouse because the winner of its UK cocktail competitors, Blended Consciously.
![Mixed Consciously](https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/content/uploads/2021/11/mixed-cosciously.jpg)
Rouse, proprietor of bar Sofa in Stirchley, Birmingham, competed in opposition to eight different UK finalists at Terroir Tapas in Southbourne.
She impressed the judges along with her cocktail ‘Straight Up Stirchley’, which blended sunflower seeds, Diplomático Planas, waste pear, cob nut milk cordial, and lime juice. It was garnished with a waste pastry biscuit and lime gel.
![](https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/content/uploads/2021/11/Katie-Rouse.jpg)
Dean MacGregor, Diplomático UK ambassador, stated: “The judges have been actually impressed by the calibre of bartenders competing. There have been so many skills within the room from all around the UK.
“This yr’s competitors was a good way to take everybody on Diplomático’s sustainable journey and on the similar time introducing them to one of many UK’s main zero-waste eating places and bar.
“Our judges have been completely blown away by Katie’s drink, expertise and story and we stay up for welcoming her in Venezuela subsequent yr.”
The Diplomático Blended Consciously competitors was launched earlier this year, and goals to job bartenders with utilizing their mixology expertise to organize sustainability-focused Diplomático serves, whereas additionally decreasing meals waste.
Rouse will be part of different regional winners on a visit to Venezuela subsequent yr, and her successful cocktail might be included in Diplomático’s zero-waste cocktail guide.
Rouse stated: “The competitors genuinely made me take into consideration the right way to apply sustainable apply in bars extra broadly.
“It doesn’t should value a great deal of cash or take up an excessive amount of time, to create the Diplomático cocktail, I actually used easy strategies. My predominant intention was to make sure I didn’t waste any substances and I repurposed every little thing together with a neighbour’s waste product.
“I’m clearly thrilled to have gained and I’m actually excited to proceed utilizing this zero-waste thoughts in future drink creations.”
The cocktails have been introduced to a panel of judges, together with Jon Lister, head of drinks creation at Speciality Manufacturers; Cicely Abdy Collins, sustainability advisor on the Sustainable Restaurant Affiliation; and Jesse Wells, head chef of Terroir Tapas.