IT could have been a scene straight from Cocktail – the Tom Cruise film from the 1980s.

A dozen bartenders from across Oxford took part in the city’s first public cocktail-making competition on Sunday.

About 300 people looked on as they shook and stirred their special mixes at The Living Room, in Oxford Castle.

The hopefuls were judged on their flair while making a rum-based drink and then on how well they mixed a unique vodka-based cocktail.

Richard Kyprios, manager of The Living Room and organiser of the first Battle of the Bartenders, said: “The competition is important as it will drive and increase bar trade in Oxford.

“We want to increase customer awareness of not only my own business but also the other businesses that this has showcased.”

It is the first time a bartender competition has been open to the public and not just a trade competition, said Mr Kyprios.

The contest consisted of two parts – flair and mixology.

Judges Rob Paley, assistant manager at The Living Room, and Maz Image, of Oxford Pride Festival, scored bartenders for their flair, and how much they impressed the crowd, in preparing three drinks.

The competitors were judged by former head chef Alan Watts and wife Katie on their mixology – how well they mixed up a cocktail.

The overall winner was 21-year-old Philip Kalantari from Baby Love bar, where he’s only worked for the past three weeks.

He said: “It was awesome. There was such a good vibe, everyone was cheering on everyone else. “ Philip, who wins £250 worth of high street vouchers and a bottle of Grey Goose vodka, concocted two drinks.

The first was called A Mess and consisted of Bacardi, a berry liqueur and pineapple juice. The second was Black ‘n’ Blue Ice Tea and was made up of a raspberry liqueur, vodka, rum and blue curacao and topped off with a dash of lemonade and a garnish.

Other prizes were donated by the event’s sponsors Red Bull, Bacardi and Grey Goose, and included 02 concert tickets and Champagne.

news@oxfordmail.co.uk