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Applejack Mardi Gras Cocktail Competition 2025

Applejack Kicked Of The 2025 Mardi Gras Celebrations With An Epic Cocktail Competition

9 contestants put their skills to the test at The Four Pillars Lab, creating unique gin cocktails that fit the theme ‘Free To Be’.

As proud partners of the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras 2025, we kicked off celebrations with our biggest cocktail competition yet. Nine contestants and one wildcard from across our venues created unique cocktails featuring Four Pillars gin. Each representative showcased their creation to our judges, sharing the inspiration and ingredients behind their drink.

 

Our fabulous host, Applejack’s own Drag Queen Dominique Topp, brought her signature sass and humour as she introduced each competitor and guided us through the evening. Over 50 Applejack staff gathered to support the event, enjoying Four Pillars cocktails and nibbles while mingling before the competition began.

Each contestant had 6 minutes to craft their cocktail, sharing with the crowd their inspiration, the story behind the name, and their creation process. Dominique and our judges then evaluated each drink based on its story, flavour, appearance, and presentation. The prizes included overnight trips to Melbourne to visit the Four Pillars Distillery for first and second place, and a bottle of Four Pillars gin and Applejack voucher for third place.

 

Congratulations to all our competitors and a special shout-out to our winner Thales Bezerr from The Butler, and our runners up Jae Yeol Choi from Bopp & Tone, and Josh Estreich from RAFI North Sydney. It was a fantastic evening, thanks to our judges, Four Pillars, and all who came and supported our Applejack cocktail creators!

Taste these creations this February & March at each Applejack venue, with $1 of every cocktail sold going to Rainbow Families, a community organisation run by LGBTQ+ families, who provide a support network for parents and carers, their children as well as future parents and carers.

Applejack Mardi Gras See What Went Down

Check out each contestant’s cocktail below…

‘Bloody Hungover’ by Thales Bezerr, The Butler

Four Pillars Olive Leaf Gin, Tomato Water, Tomatillo, Butler Bloody Mary Mix, Kombu, Lemon, Coriander

The Bear (Bloody Effervescent Alcoholic Refresher) by Josh Estreich, RAFI North Sydney

Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin, Lemon Myrtle, Finger Lime, Butterfly Pea

Open Arms by Jae Yeol Choi, Bopp & Tone

Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin, Blackberry, Cardamom & Orange Peel

Elio’s Kiss by Maddie Page, SoCal

Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin, Honeyed Peach, Amaro Montenegro, Lavender & Lemon

Perfect Pair by Corey Crain (presented by William McCarthy), The Botanist

Four Pillars Olive Leaf Gin, Fennel & Pink Peppercorn Verjus, Pear Liqueur

Rhubi Express by Tristan Fisher, RAFI URBSURF

Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin, Rhubi Liqueur, Lemon, Pineapple, Cinnamon, Foam, Orange Bitters

WHERE DID MY MANGO? by Tyler Harris, Taphouse

Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin, Marionette Orange Curaçao, Mango, Lime Leaf

Peach Please! by Zak Worthington

Four Pillar Yuzu Gin, Peach Cordial, Toasted Pastry Syrup, Vanilla Yoghurt

Lav In the Air by Ronan Lehane, Group Head Bartender (wildcard entry)

Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin, Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin, Barsol Pisco, Lavender, Rosemary, Lemon, Foam

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