A COCKTAIL mixing supremo from west Dorset is shaken but not stirred as he prepares to compete in the final of a national competition.

Thomas Hay-Owens, 25, could be in with a chance of winning a VIP trip to New Orleans and take part in an international contest celebrating the best of the best.

Mr Hay-Owens is a ‘mixologist’ – skilled at mixing cocktails and other drinks – and assistant bar manager at the Seaside Boarding House, Burton Bradstock.

He is originally from Bawtry, South Yorkshire and previously worked at Mr Cooper’s Bar at Manchester’s famous Midland Hotel.

Mr Hay-Owens is competing in The Southern Comfort Southern Showdown celebrating the heritage and history the whiskey-based liqueur. He won the regional final and is now one of the final six competing in London this Monday. In true Southern USA style, the contest will be held aboard the Dixie Queen paddle steamer on the Thames.

He said: “The theme for the competition is hometown with contestants asked to enter a cocktail influenced by their hometown, and to create at least one homemade ingredient to go into their chosen drink.

“My cocktail is called The Mayflower – named after the Pilgrim Fathers’ ship that set sail to America and also the name of my primary school in Yorkshire. The captain of that ship, William Bradford, was from my hometown, which itself has numerous parallels to New Orleans in regards to its history.”

The cocktail uses Southern Comfort Black, Somerset Brandy Company’s Ice Cider, lemon and elderflower, Oleo Saccharum, blackberry and damson infused Peychaud, lemon juice and Ms Better’s Bitters Miraculous Foamer. The drink is garnished with a freeze-dried blackberry sherbet, and a New Orleans-inspired pick and mix bag, filled with sweets.

“The great thing about the drink is that, even though some ingredients are out of season, by preserving them we can enjoy it all year round without having to worry about the seasonality or lack of produce,” Mr Hay-Owens said.

He added: “I’d like to thank The Seaside Boarding House for all their support during the process, but also the bars and restaurants of Bridport and Dorset, for their incredible support.”